Archive Posts
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In Our Prayers: Christopher Michael Liebergen
Health & EducationThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of adjunct faculty Christopher Michael Liebergen, who inspired students toward the pursuit of physical health and wellness. Liebergen passed away peacefully following a brief illness on Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. In 2024, he began his dream job of being an adjunct professor of human physiology…
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In Our Prayers: John Thomas Kemper
In Our PrayersDr. John Thomas Kemper, a longtime professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of St. Thomas, passed away on Jan. 9, 2026, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. John spent 35 years of his career at St. Thomas and retired with emeritus status in 2011. He was a demanding yet encouraging teacher and mentor,… -
In Our Prayers: Richard Meierotto '58
In Our PrayersRichard Robert Meierotto '58 a longtime University of St. Thomas biology professor, environmental advocate and mentor, passed away on Nov. 9, 2025, in St. Paul. He was 94. Born in Litchfield, Minn., Meierotto was encouraged to enter the teaching profession through his military service and attended St. Thomas College on the GI Bill, graduating in… -
In Our Prayers: Mick Sheppeck
In Our PrayersThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of Associate Professor Mick Sheppeck, whose contributions to the Opus College of Business and to generations of students spanned more than four decades. Opus College of Business Dean and Opus Distinguished Chair Laura Dunham shared the following: Mick first joined St. Thomas as an adjunct instructor… -
In Our Prayers: Dan Haggerty ’62
In Our PrayersDan Haggerty ’62, a longtime University of St. Thomas trustee, benefactor and business leader, passed away on Oct. 15 surrounded by family. He was 84. A Chicago native, Haggerty graduated from St. Thomas in 1962 with a business degree and later married Ruth Blong, whom he met while she was a student at the College… -
In Our Prayers: Michael E. Dougherty ’66
In Our PrayersThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of Michael Emmett Dougherty ’66, an alumnus, trustee, visionary philanthropist and founding benefactor of Dougherty Family College (DFC). He died Aug. 10, 2025. Together with his wife Kathy and their family, he established Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas to create a pathway… -
In Our Prayers: Kaitlyn Kashia Yang
In Our PrayersThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of Kaitlyn Kashia Yang, an Opus College of Business student. She died on Aug. 1, 2025, at the age of 21. Yang was pursuing a bachelor's degree in marketing management with a minor in data analytics and held an analyst internship at Optum. She was active… -
In Our Prayers: Dr. Frank B. Wilderson, Jr.
University NewsThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the passing of former Board of Trustee member Dr. Frank Benjamin Wilderson, Jr., a dedicated educator and advocate for justice, who died peacefully on June 17, 2025, at the age of 94. Wilderson served 21 years on the St. Thomas Board of Trustees, beginning in 1998, offering wise… -
In Our Prayers: Journalism Faculty Emeritus Norman W. Larson
In Our PrayersThe University of St. Thomas community mourns the loss of emeritus faculty member Norman W. Larson, age 90, who died peacefully at his home in Eagan on May 18. Larson taught writing, editing and press law in the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at St. Thomas for 32 years, from 1968 to 2000. He is… -
In Our Prayers: St. Thomas Graduate Student Steven T. Flucas
In Our PrayersPlease remember in your prayers Graduate School of Professional Psychology student Steven T. Flucas, who passed away May 13. Flucas was 59 years old. Flucas is survived by his father, J.C. Flucas; mother, Annie-Lee (Fisher) Flucas; brother, Jeffery Flucas; his children, Gabreille (Mark) Cigich and granddaughter Lenore, Alexander Flucas, and Sophie Flucas. Throughout his life,…