Archive Posts
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Black History Month Centers Activism Through Art
Anti-racism EffortsIn February, the University of St. Thomas will host poets, comedians, actors and writers exploring Black history through a monthlong series of events that’s as much about the performance as it is about the audience. Student Diversity and Inclusion Services Assistant Director Nayely Becerra Castillo said artists uniquely engage audiences in activism, so this programming…
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Acting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Call
Anti-racism EffortsReverend Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “There are some things in our society, some things in our world, to which we should never be adjusted.” In that 1967 address, King elaborated that those things are poverty, racial inequality, denial of equal rights to people of color, to LGBTQIA+ communities, religious bigotry, Islamophobia and others. … -
Humans of St. Thomas: Faith Guides First DFC Student Body President
Faith and MissionAs a Muslim American, Mesum Haider ’19 AA, '22 said he felt overlooked academically, personally and socially at his suburban public high school that was more than 90% white. He had a very different experience once he stepped through the doors of Dougherty Family College (DFC) in 2017. There, where the student population was majority… -
St. Thomas Establishes Scholarship in Memory of George Floyd and U.S. Rep. John Lewis
Anti-racism EffortsIn an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the University of St. Thomas recently established the Good Trouble Legacy Scholarship to support undergraduate students whose identities are underrepresented at the university or whose studies focus on racial and social justice. The Good Trouble Legacy Scholarship, formerly known as the Racial Justice Scholarship, was conceived… -
Truth Telling and Indian Boarding Schools
St. Thomas 2025 - Foster Belonging and Dismantle RacismThe remains of 215 First Nation children were found just months ago in unmarked graves at the Catholic-run Indian Residential School in British Columbia. The discovery is evidence of the trauma and suffering perpetrated there, said Jacob Jurss, PhD, St. Thomas adjunct history professor and a Native American history scholar. Jurss spoke as part of… -
BIPOC Gathering Circles Promote Healing, Community for Tommies
Anti-racism EffortsOn Wednesday afternoons, the call and response “ashe” meaning “be with us” echoes over Zoom, as participants take turns pouring libations. This African ceremonial tradition is the weekly opening ritual for St. Thomas’ BIPOC Gathering Circle and invites connection both with ancestors and between the students of color who have gathered to share cultural and… -
LGBT History Month: Faculty and Staff Offer LGBTQIA+ Film Recommendations
Diversity, Equity and InclusionIn recognition of LGBT History Month, the Newsroom asked some St. Thomas LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff members for film recommendations to help provide the university community some diverse perspectives. Here are their thoughts on some instructive and entertaining films. 'But I'm a Cheerleader' (1999) "But I'm a Cheerleader" is a biting, satirical, campy takedown of… -
Opus MBA Latinx Alumna Making an Impact
AlumniAcross U.S. schools, students of Hispanic background make up less than 10% of MBA enrollment, with roughly 5% of Latinas getting an MBA. A recent graduate of the Part-time MBA program at Opus College of Business, Ana Maya '12, '21 MBA is proud to join the growing ranks of Latinx MBA recipients. Walk us through… -
Class of 2025: St. Thomas Makes Strides Toward Diversity Goals
University NewsThe Class of 2025 is officially St. Thomas’ most diverse class ever. This incoming, first-year class of students is more racially, globally and economically diverse than that of any previous year, according to the final count from the fall semester. Additionally, the final numbers show year-over-year increases in the number of first-generation college students, and… -
Sending a Clear Message: 'You Belong'
Diversity, Equity and InclusionFor thousands of Tommies, St. Thomas isn’t just a university, it’s home. The university is working in new ways to ensure that home feels welcoming, supportive and inclusive for all, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As LGBT History Month begins, the St. Thomas community is highlighting ongoing inclusion efforts to support the LGBTQIA+ community…