2005 Fall Saint Benedict's Magazine

              Campus Celebrates
New Era for College
Saint Benedict’s Magazine
Editor Glenda Isaacs Burgeson
Associate Editors Maureen Opitz, Barbara Hein
Designer Greg Becker
Contributor Emily Stenberg ’06
Contact College of Saint Benedict Magazine
Communication and Marketing Services
37 South College Ave.
St. Joseph, MN 56374-2099
csbmagazine@csbsju.edu
For address changes, please call 1-800-648-3468, ext . 1
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of the College of Saint Benedict is to provide for women the very best residential liberal arts education in the
Catholic university tradition. The college fosters integrated learning, exceptional leadership for change and wisdom for a lifetime.
Contents Photo: Greg Becker
1
in this issue
2 From the President
4 Inaugural Week Advances Sense of Purpose
8 Around Campus
12 Becoming Global Citizens
20 President’s House Represents Best of CSB
22 Inside Books
24 Strength Coach Helps CSB Athletes
Build Confidence, Not Bulk
26 Alumnae News & Notes
A U T U M N 2 0 0 5
ON THE COVER
The weeklong inaugural celebration of MaryAnn
Baenninger as CSB’s 14th president ended with
fireworks exploding over campus.
Photo: Cass Mackert
I was looking through the class notes for this issue and was struck by a common
thread running through the submissions from our alumnae. While they report a
variety of activities and interests, the common theme is one of active commitment.
Alice Ann Orr O’Donnell ’60, who keeps active in the social justice arena,
writes: “I never planned to be one to grow old sitting and rocking in my rocking
chair.”
Kathi Beavers Rivard ’77 writes about that mid-century milestone — turning
50 — and wonders what’s in store for her. She asks, “In what ways are you, my
fellow classmates, re-inventing yourselves? Are you volunteering for a new cause,
traveling to exotic locations, or studying a foreign language?”
Autumn Wolf ’05 attained a milestone sought by any new graduate, that first
fulltime job. She is a veteran service representative for the Department of Veterans
Affairs in St. Paul.
A perusal of the notes shows that many of CSB’s alumnae, from each decade, are
doing just that — living full, rich lives and finding varied ways to express their
talent, faith and creativity. Some are facing difficult obstacles, others celebrating
milestones. But in all these snippets of personal stories, there is a spirited drive that
I see over and over when I meet with CSB alumnae.
I recently celebrated a milestone, as did the College of Saint Benedict. While the
inauguration of a college president is surely a personal milestone, it also is a rite of
passage for the college, as it moves forward into a new era of leadership. It’s a time
to take stock, check your moorings and embrace the future.
During inauguration week, we celebrated our Catholic Benedictine heritage and
paid tribute to our founders. We recognized our community of scholars, and gave
thanks to all who have helped the College of Saint Benedict achieve its position as
the highest ranked undergraduate liberal arts college for women in the country.
But we are not resting on our laurels in smug satisfaction. Just as we challenge our
students to spread their wings and dare to be great, we recognize that we, as a
liberal arts institution, must renew ourselves to meet new challenges. Inspired by
the spirited, innovative drive of our founders, we must re-invent ourselves so that
we can give our students the tools they will need to adapt to a changing, complex
world and live lives of active commitment.
MaryAnn Baenninger
President
Celebrating Milestones
2
F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
PHOTOGRAPHS: GREG BECKER
Alice Ann Orr O’Donnell ’60
Kathi Beavers Rivard ’77
Autumn Wolf ’05
Inaugural Week Advan
The April 22 inauguration of Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger as
14th president of the College of Saint Benedict capped a
weeklong celebration of the college’s past, present and future.
The week’s events, which showcased Baenninger’s vision of a
liberal arts education, paid tribute to the CSB community of
scholars, including its Benedictine founders, faculty, students
and alumnae.
The events drew to campus more than 800 guests from across
the region and country, many visiting CSB for the first time.
Thus, the occasion afforded the opportunity for the college to
reach an influential audience with the story of its place as the
highest ranked undergraduate liberal arts college for women in
the country.
While the week’s activities celebrated the intellectual mission
of the college, they also reflected Baenninger’s personality. She
chose as the inaugural theme, “A Golden Thread,” inspired by
the song “Oh, Had I a Golden Thread,” by Pete Seeger and
4
(Left, top) Former Saint Benedict’s Monastery Prioress S. Ephrem Hollermann
speaks as a panelist, along with President Baenninger, at a Women’s Lives
Symposium on Women and Power.
(Left, bottom) St. Joseph Mayor Richard Carlbom serves up a bratwurst to
President Baenninger at a Town and Gown get together.
nces Sense of Purpose
sung by Eva Cassidy.
Events celebrating the accomplishments of women included a
symposium on Women and Power; the presentation of the CSB
Renaissance Award to Janet Dolan, president and CEO of
Tennant Company; and a monastery founders celebration.
Scholastic events included exhibits and presentations celebrating
student scholarship and creativity; a faculty symposium on Islam
in Dialogue with Other Religions and Worldviews; and presen-tations
by two nationally known scholars. Dr. Emilie Amt,
Hildegarde Pilgram Professor of History at Hood College in
Fredrick, Md., gave a presentation on “Medieval Benedictine
Women.” Dr. Elizabeth Paul, chair and associate professor of
psychology, The College of New Jersey, gave a presentation on
“The College Transition,” in which she detailed the develop-mental
progress of young adults amid the rigors of college life.
5
(Right, top) Noreen Herzfeld, professor of computer science and theology and
director of the Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture, and Jon Armajani,
assistant professor of theology, participate at a faculty symposium on Islam in
Dialogue with Other Religions and Worldviews.
(Right, bottom) Beth Miller ’07 (from left), clowns around with President
Baenninger and Mary Beth Hart ’05 at the Baenninger Bash, an SJU/CSB
student-sponsored event.
6
In her inaugural address, Baenninger reflected on liberal
learning and the liberal arts in the 21st century, and the role of
the College of Saint Benedict, in partnership with Saint John’s
University, in educating students to become global citizens.
Summarizing the opportunities and challenges shaping the
21st century, Baenninger commented on the unprecedented
access — to people, distant places and information — now
available. Such access poses both benefits and obstacles, and the
imperatives of a liberal arts education are to teach students how
to recognize the difference, maximize the benefits and overcome
the obstacles. She listed five key imperatives to accomplish that:
reflection, connection, inspiration, action and openness. The
following excerpts expand on those imperatives.
“Reflection: Today the liberal arts education is charged with
teaching us how to reflect upon and understand our own
cultural predispositions, how those beliefs affect the way we
process information, and, in the end, how we relate to others
through those beliefs.
(Top) Bishop John F. Kinney celebrates the Eucharist at Sacred Heart
Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
(Above, left) CSB Trustee Beth Dinndorf and President Baenninger
share a light-hearted moment.
(Above, right) SJU President Br. Dietrich Reinhart blesses President
Baenninger, assisted by Carol Guardo.
P H O T O G R A P H S : C A S S M A C K E R T
7
“Connection: … we must offer students fresh approaches to
analysis and synthesis, and equip them with new and skeptical
radar that can separate true from untrue, worthy from unworthy
information. We must give them opportunities to test and retest
their notions of scholarship and rigor. … The connectedness
that marks the 21st century provides both learning opportunities
and challenges. The liberal arts must teach students how to
skillfully navigate this new reality.
“Inspiration: A liberal arts education must inspire, must
enable students to respond thoughtfully and creatively to the
needs of people and communities near and far.
“Action: As we prepare our students with a liberal arts
education, we prepare them to think, to create, and to lead. We
prepare them to inspire others. We prepare them to act.
“Openness: A liberal arts education by definition must
provide an antidote to … polarization and encourage openness
to ideas and experience.
“As Catholic and Benedictine institutions, the College of Saint
Benedict and Saint John’s University are especially prepared to
respond to such imperatives. Our brand of liberal arts is infused
with the call to lead inspiring lives, life-breathing lives. We offer
students the Catholic and Benedictine foundation from which
they may seek the best in themselves, while also bridging the
gaps that divide people from each other.”
The complete text of Baenninger’s address is available online
at www.csbsju.edu/csbinauguration/address.htm
President Baenninger is joined by five former CSB presidents: (from left)
S. Colman O’Connell, OSB (1986-1996), Carol Guardo (2003-04),
MaryAnn Baenninger, Stanley Idzerda (1968-1974), S. Emmanuel
Renner, OSB (1979-1986) and Mary Lyons (1996-2003).
President Baenninger’s parents, Len and Mary Hulme, were among the
honored guests.
(Left) President Baenninger savors a
moment at her installation.
CSB Names New Trustees
The College of Saint Benedict has
appointed the following new members
to its Board of Trustees: Harvey Chase
Jewett, IV, president of The Rivett
Group, LLC; Thomas L. Schlough,
president of Park Industries, Inc.; James
Phillip Roers, president of Roers’
Construction and Development; Gregory
J. Duppler, senior vice president of
merchandising at Target Stores; S. Nancy
Bauer, prioress at Saint Benedict’s
Monastery; Beth Ann Dinndorf, senior
vice president of Wells Fargo Bank;
LeAnne Matthews Stewart, senior vice
president, chief financial officer, and
treasurer of Nash Finch Company; and
CSB student trustee, Sara Honkomp, a
senior in social work from St. Cloud.
Jewett serves as president of the Rivett
Group, LLC. He is a member of the
Board of Directors at D&K Healthcare
Systems and is involved with
Hatterscheidt Foundation; University of
South Dakota Law School Foundation;
Super 8 Motels, Inc. Franchisee Advisory
Board; Catholic Foundation for Eastern
South Dakota; as well as other organiza-tions.
He received his undergraduate as
well as his law degree from University of
South Dakota.
Since 1969, Schlough has been owner
and CEO of Park Industries Inc., where
he currently serves as president. He
graduated in 1965 from the University of
Minnesota with a degree in mechanical
engineering and served in the U.S. Army
from 1967-1969.
Roers serves as president of Roers’
Construction and Development. He is
active with the Association of Building
Contractors, S.E. Workforce Training
Board, N.D. Board of Higher Education
Roundtable and the N.D. Realtors
Association. Roers earned an associate
degree in 1974 at the University of
Minnesota, Crookston, and graduated in
1976 from North Dakota State Univer-sity
with a degree in animal science.
Duppler serves as senior vice president
of merchandising at Target Stores. His
professional affiliations include the
Private Label Manufacturing Association,
Grocery Manufacturers of America,
Royal Horticulture Society and Retail
Industry Leaders Association. He holds
degrees in marketing and management
from the University of Wisconsin.
Bauer is the prioress at Saint Benedict’s
Monastery. Prior to her recent election in
February as prioress, she was vice
chancellor for the Diocese of St. Cloud.
Previously, she worked for two decades
as a reporter/photographer and editor
for the St. Cloud Visitor. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in photojournalism
from the University of Minnesota, a
master’s degree in theology from SJU
and a doctorate in canon law from The
Catholic University of America. She is a
member of the Canon Law Society of
America.
Dinndorf serves as national sales
manager for student loans and senior vice
president of Wells Fargo Bank. She
previously held positions as division
manager and vice president at American
National Bank in St. Paul and as division
manager and senior vice president of
U.S. Bank in Minneapolis. She is a
member of the Minnesota State Bar
Association. She previously served on the
CSB Board of Trustees, 1988-1997;
Minnesota Private College Council
Board, 1998-1999; and as chair of the
CSB Alumnae Council, 1985-1988.
Dinndorf earned a bachelor’s degree in
mathematics from CSB in 1973, and a
law degree from William Mitchell
College of Law in 1982.
Stewart has been with Nash Finch
AROUND CAMPUS
8
S. Nancy Bauer, OSB Beth Ann Dinndorf Gregory J. Duppler LeAnne Matthews Stewart
Company since 1999, serving as senior
vice president, chief financial officer and
treasurer. Prior to that, she held positions
with Ernst & Young, and Enron Europe.
On a rainy May afternoon, donors, faculty members, architects, and campus leaders darted outside between rain showers to break ground for the expansion of the
Benedicta Arts Center. The project includes many enhancements of the existing building as well as a new wing. Included in the expansion are a black box theater, a
dance studio, a large music rehearsal space and an interior garden. Participating in the ceremonial dig are (L to R) Fredrik Petters, Tim Karl, Jim Fredricks, Dorothy
Gorecki, MaryAnn Baenninger, Ben Gorecki, Mike Helgeson, Karel Helgeson, Don Helgeson, JoAnn Neis, Bob Neis, Paul White and Dale White. Photo: Cass Mackert
She is a member of Financial Executives
International, American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and
Institute of Management Accountants.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in
accounting from CSB in 1987, and a
master’s degree in finance in 1997 from
the Wharton School in Philadelphia.
9
AROUND CAMPUS
James Phillip Roers Thomas L. Schlough Harvey Chase Jewett, IV Sara Honkomp
Campus Visits Highlight Educational Relationship to Chinese
AROUND CAMPUS
10
The CSB/SJU Asian studies program
continues to make strides. Last May,
CSB/SJU welcomed the University of
Southwest China President Song Naiqing
and a delegation from Zhanjiang Normal
University (ZNU), including President
Guo and Deng Fengguang.
President Song visited the campuses to
celebrate the institutional bridges which
have been built between the University of
Southwest China and CSB/SJU during
the past two decades. The University of
Southwest China is the official study
abroad site in China.
The relationship began in the fall of
1985 and has existed longer than most
U.S. – China academic exchanges. The
20th anniversary of this exchange
program will be celebrated in Beibei in
late-October/early-November.
Institutional bridges also continue to
span exchange opportunities between
CSB/SJU and ZNU. For the past two
years, ZNU has hosted CSB/SJU
students on a May term program,
offering them an up-close look at China’s
rise as a new economic power.
In addition, since 1998, ZNU has
hosted CSB/SJU graduates as Maryknoll
teachers, and several professors from both
institutions have acted as visiting scholars
to the other’s community. In 2004,
Richard Bohr, professor of history and
director of the Asian studies program at
CSB/SJU, was named an honorary
professor of ZNU.
Bohr commented on the impact of
these relationships as CSB/SJU prepares
students for global citizenship. “Our two-decade
history of sending students to the
University of Southwest China and our
more recent involvement with Zhanjiang
Normal College help us educate our
students linguistically, academically and
culturally. Also, because of the geographic
location of each campus — the University
of Southwest China, near Chongqing, is
the global gateway to central China and
CSB President MaryAnn Baenninger offers
a toast to Zhanjiang Normal University
President Guo Zeshen (L.) and Deng
Fengguang.
(Photo: Greg Becker)
Lang Named Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Stuart G. Lang has been named vice president for institutional advance-ment
at the College of Saint Benedict. He started his new position on July 1,
and succeeded Colman O’Connell, OSB, who has served as vice president
since 2001 and will continue her service to CSB as major gifts officer for
institutional advancement.
Lang most recently served as vice president for university advancement at
Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., near Chicago, and executive director of the
campaign for Lewis University. Prior to joining Lewis, where he prepared the
university for a $30-million comprehensive campaign, Lang served for 15
years at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., creating their first endowment
campaign and supervising public relations, publications and advancement
services in addition to development. At St. Norbert, Lang headed a $32-
million campaign and was also founding director of the International Center.
Lang has many years of experience in leading all aspects of institutional
advancement, including raising funds for programs, buildings, technology,
endowment and annual fund. He has proven skills in developing and leading
staff and creating an effective infrastructure for fund raising and program
development.
Lang graduated with honors from Saint John’s University with a degree in
history. He received a master’s degree and completed all of his coursework
for a doctorate in U.S. history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Stuart G. Lang
Universities
11
AROUND CAMPUS
the rapidly-industrializing Yangzi River
Valley, and Zhanjiang Normal University
is the connecting link between China and
Southeast Asia through South China’s
industrialized Pearl River Delta — our
students and faculty are able to observe
first-hand how China’s economic develop-ment
depends on its trading and invest-ment
relationships with the international
economy. In this way, we are able to
prepare our graduates to become “China
Hands” in the “Asian Century” and
thereby build bridges across the Pacific
and keep the United States competitive in
the world economy, which is now
centered in Asia.”
Becoming
Global
Citizens
In her inaugural address, President MaryAnn Baenninger spoke of the
challenges this generation of students will face, in an era of rapid globalization
and social fragmentation. She recognized the vital necessity of global learning
and underscored its value in her administration. In the 21st century, she stated,
“we are no longer isolated learners or scholars.” Instead, she said, “we are
increasingly interdependent.
“Learning in the liberal arts can provide a set of experiences and values that
transcend the classroom and serve as a golden thread to unite us. Structured
and delivered dynamically, the liberal arts provide the intellectual, social,
cultural and spiritual tools our students must have to be truly global citizens.”
The following stories exemplify the kinds of experiences CSB students
embrace and the tools they use to make sense of those experiences. The stories
also dramatize how the liberal arts imperatives – reflection, connection, inspira-tion,
action and openness – operate to produce global citizens.
12
13
Photo: Greg Becker
Last March, three CSB students
embarked on a life-changing journey.
Katie Rehani ’07, Carissa Hafemayer ’08,
and Johanna Hatch ’05, along with CSB
Vice President of Student Development
Mary Geller, joined more than 1,000
students, educators and leaders from
36 countries to attend an international
women’s conference in Dubai, United
Arab Emirates. “Women as Global
Leaders: Educating the Next Generation”
was produced and hosted by Zayed
University in Dubai. Each participant
shared in the same vision, according to
Katie, “the continuing empowerment of
women.”
Johanna described it as “one of the
most amazing parts of my college
experience.” In fact, it was she who first
heard about the conference on the
Internet and alerted President MaryAnn
Baenninger with an e-mail. “I didn’t
really expect anything to come of it,” she
said. A few weeks later, though, “I
received an e-mail from Mary Geller
asking me if I would be interested in
going. I was asked to go because of my
commitment to women’s issues and
gender studies through my four years at
Saint Ben’s. I was very honored to
represent our school in this international
setting.”
Geller said the group approached the
experience as a learning opportunity.
“We met a few times before going, just to
discuss what it would be like. We read
books on the culture, and after we got
back, besides giving presentations to
groups, we met a few times just to
process our experiences.”
Even with this careful preparation,
however, nothing could prepare them for
the endless blue sea, the white sand, the
stunning Arab architecture and the
sudden “awareness of what we don’t
know,” she said.
Beyond the Veil
They were not aware, for example, of
the stereotypes they held of others.
Americans tend to view women from
other parts of the world, especially the
Middle East, as oppressed and subjugated
by men, Geller explained.
“We were amazed at how advanced the
other nations’ women were,” she said. “In
other countries, including many in the
Middle East, women are much more
represented in government than women
are in European countries or America. It
was informative, educational and
humbling to learn what other women are
doing to lead in their countries.”
The conference allowed the CSB
women to “connect to amazing and
influential women from all over the
world,” Katie said. They befriended a
group of women who are members of the
Zayed University Student Senate and,
through conversation, tested the women
on topics such as arranged marriages,
wearing veils, and the link between
religion and society.
BECOMING GLOBAL CITIZENS
Seeing Beyond
the Veil
By Emily Stenberg ’06
14
“We no longer saw them as
oppressed, but as women in the
context of their culture and religion,”
Geller said. Katie added, “What we
may see as stifling or controlling, such
as their dress, they take great pride
in.” Geller pointed out that women
from other countries find American
traditions just as bewildering as we
find theirs. As they broke through the
stereotypes, the two sides developed a
mutual respect.
15
Many of the women they met made a
lasting impression. For Katie, Raja Al-
Gurg, a Middle-Eastern businesswoman
who oversees more than 30 companies,
showed that “a person can become
anything they want to, as long as they are
willing to work through the barriers that
will undoubtedly be put in front of
them.”
One of Johanna’s favorite speakers at
the conference, Dr. Gro Harlem
Bruntland, former director general of the
World Health Organization, inspired her
for her next adventure. She explained,
“Dr. Bruntland talked about how
important women’s health in developing
countries is to the general development
of their country.” Now a volunteer at
Sarah’s, a transitional home for immi-grant
and refugee women in the Twin
Cities, Johanna said that “having the
experience of traveling halfway around
the world will make me more sensitive to
the needs of the women I will be working
with,” who are from more than a dozen
different countries.
Of course, women in all nations still
have a long way to go to gain absolute
equality. But this conference showed the
students that there are common threads
that bind all women all over the world.
“We are always looking to expose
students to new ideas and new ways of
thinking,” Geller said. “Attending this
conference was a way to enrich us as
women and as leaders. We are all part of
creating a better society.”
Indeed, with an ever-increasing global
society, multi-cultural awareness is critical
for this generation. “We can communi-cate
with people around the world at the
touch of a button,” Johanna said. “Many
of our peers are already in Iraq, Afghani-stan
or other military installations.
Immigration is bringing new groups of
people to places like St. Cloud. It is
important that we are able to understand
all these different cultures that we will be
interacting with, and, if we don’t
understand right away, that we are
willing to learn.
“This conference has strengthened my
commitment to working for global
women’s rights, whether through
advocacy, organizing, education, or direct
service. … You can’t get that from a
textbook.”
Katie Rehani ’07 (r.) and a new friend at the Dubai conference.
Earlier this summer, 12 students in
history professor Nick Hayes’ spring
2004 Ethical Thinking in Global
Perspectives took their lessons to heart.
They initiated a service learning trip to
Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda to explore
the HIV/AIDS epidemic up close. Erica
Layer ’06 said the trip — more than a
year in the making — was “the only way
we could truly understand these situa-tions”
that they had studied the previous
year. Their three weeks abroad allowed
for ample time to witness the devastation
that AIDS, poverty and genocide has had
on east Africa. This trip also showed
them what they can do to help, and how
they can inspire others to do the same.
Hope amidst the destruction
In Rwanda, the students visited
genocide memorial sites that provide a
history of Rwanda and the ideologies
that culminated in the 1994 genocide.
This part of the trip was the most
difficult. “The more I learn about the
genocide, the more questions I have and
lost I feel,” Erica said. “As I stood at the
memorial site, I found that I was looking
at heaven in one direction: beautiful,
rolling hills with green grass, trees, and
mud houses. And as I turned around, I
was faced with hell on earth: thousands
of rotting corpses left as a tribute to the
brutal murders that tore apart the
country.”
Although these horrific sites gnawed at
them, the students were left with hope.
“The air is heavy [in Rwanda]. You can
almost feel the pain,” Erica said. “But yet,
Rwanda goes on. They bravely trudge
forward. I am in awe of the strength of
people here who have been through the
genocide, yet still wake up each day and
live.”
With their new knowledge, the
students hope to bring attention to the
Rwandans as they face the challenge of
fostering unity and reconciliation
between the victims and perpetrators.
Inspired students inspiring others
In Uganda, they were welcomed by
friends and family of fellow student and
leader of the trip Br. John Mary
Lugemwa. A native of Masaka, Uganda,
Br. John is a visiting student monk at
SJU, majoring in computer science and
philosophy.
The students worked with various
non-governmental agencies and visited
orphanages filled with children who lost
parents to AIDS and they made home
visits to HIV/AIDS patients. These
overwhelming encounters made an
impact. “How do you explain the sorrow
you feel by meeting hundreds of children
whose eyes penetrate deeply into yours
— crying out for you to help them?
Experiences like these can only be
acquired by immersing oneself in the
situation, by learning about life through
living it,” Erica said.
Part of the group’s mission is to raise
awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
among their generation. “Obviously,
much more work needs to be done,” said
Megan Peterson ’06, “but the continent
can make substantial progress if we let it.
As we saw on our trip there, each small
donation leads to dramatic results.” Erica
agrees and intends to share her stories in
order to arouse more interest in helping
Africa. “Coming back to Minnesota, I
find myself looking at my life through
the lens of my trip,” she said. “The things
that we take for granted in America are
the things most deeply cherished by
Ugandans. I have found that being able
to tell the story of our trip is inspiring to
people in the United States, and it is easy
to find people willing to help.”
For more information on the group’s
trip, or to learn how you can help, visit
the group’s official Web site, http://
africaaidsservice.sytes.net.
16
BECOMING GLOBAL CITIZENS
Looking Through a New Lens
By Emily Stenberg ’06
17
“The things that we take
for granted in America
are the things most deeply
cherished by Ugandans.”
Erica Layer ’06
(Photo: Greg Becker)
Jennifer Kruse (l.) and Emily Graham ’07. (Photo: An Doan)
18
Megan Kuhl ’06 (c.) and Margaret Hogan ’08 (r.)
with one of their hosts. (Photos: An Doan)
BECOMING GLOBAL CITIZENS
Discovering the Unexpected
By Emily Stenberg ’06
19
Katherine Walter ’05 can’t stop
thinking about Africa. One of eight CSB
students and two SJU students who
traveled recently to Kenya, she said the
trip has changed her consciousness. “I’ve
found myself thinking about Africa a lot
since I returned home, and while I hope
to go back to Africa someday, the trip has
even inspired me to do good deeds right
here, at home.”
The students made the trek as part of a
delegation representing the Diocese of St.
Cloud in a visit to the Diocese of Homa
Bay, Kenya. The two dioceses have been
in a partnership since 1999, with
members of each diocese alternating
annual visits.
The students also earned academic
credit through participation in a new
May term program led by Ron Pagnucco,
CSB/SJU associate professor of peace
studies. They lived at the Catholic
University of East Africa and took a
course that introduced them to the
history and culture of East Africa. The
course, taught by a team of native
professors, was “very interesting and
informative,” said Pagnucco, who
attended the class with his students.
Katherine said the best part was that they
were able to experience outside of class
what they were learning in the classroom.
“The whole trip was a neat combination
of hands-on learning and textbook
learning,” she said.
Learning outside the classroom
Because they were representing the St.
Cloud Diocese, the students also
completed a physically and emotionally
demanding service learning project,
working at developmental project sites
administered by Catholic Relief Services.
They offered a helping hand wherever
and however they could, said Amanda
Leisenheimer ’06. Half of them worked
in an orphanage called Nyumbani, which
means “hope” in Kiswahili. Here, they
mainly did manual work, but they were
also encouraged to play with the chil-dren,
all of whom had been diagnosed
with HIV/AIDS. “They were full of joy,
happiness, and energy that everyone on
the trip loved,” Amanda said, “not like
what I expected.”
The other half of the CSB/SJU group
volunteered at an interfaith peace and
justice mission called Chemchemi Ya
Ukweli, which means “Wellspring of
Truth” in Kiswahili. An Doan ’07, who
worked at this site, explained that
Chemchemi’s mission is to use a non-violent
method to promote peace. The
students spent some time learning how
the mission operates, as well as how non-violence
can be used to address issues in
Africa, such as the AIDS epidemic,
government corruption and poverty.
“The people there are very dedicated to
the work they are doing regardless of the
danger they are encountering,” An said.
“I think the operation of the group
brings much hope to anyone concerned
with justice and strengthens the belief in
an alternative way to address a political
problem through peace.”
Pagnucco prizes such comments from
students. “We really need to go and have
that personal experience in order to learn
fully about other people and cultures.
With globalization, we are very involved
in the world whether we like it or not,
and we really need to understand people
and cultures in order to live with them
well, peacefully and justly.”
Katherine Walker ’05
President’s House Re
20
Renner House, the new CSB president’s residence and
hospitality center, is named appropriately in honor of S.
Emmanuel Renner, OSB, CSB president from 1979 until
1986.
At a house blessing ceremony on Thursday, June 9,
President MaryAnn Baenninger cited S. Emmanuel’s lifelong
relationship with the College of Saint Benedict, as a student,
alumna, professor, administrator, president and trustee.
In addition to serving as the president’s residence, Renner
House will provide hospitality for gatherings of students,
alumnae, friends and faculty of the college.
A generous contribution from an anonymous donor paid
for the house design and construction costs. In addition,
many individuals and businesses contributed money, labor
and materials toward the completion of Renner House.
S. Emmanuel Renner, OSB
epresents Best of CSB
21
(Above) A student musician adds a grace note to the reception room’s ambiance.
(Right, top) Handmade ceramic tiles from the Moravian Pottery Works of Doylestown,
Pa., were donated by President MaryAnn Baenninger and Dr. Ronald Baenninger.
(Right, bottom) Native flowers and greenery surround Renner House.
(Renner House photos: Greg Becker)
Summer Conference Brings
For three days in early July, more than 40 readers participated
in the Inside Books conference, sponsored by the Literary Arts
Institute at CSB and Project Logos: the Center for Creative
Writing at SJU. The conference brought together authors,
including Victoria Redel, Nick Flynn, National Book Award
finalist Charles Baxter, Bart Schneider, Alison McGhee, and
John Coy, and readers for discussions, readings by the lake,
movies inspired by books, and a taped broadcast of Minnesota
Public Radio’s “A Writer’s View” with Flynn. Actress — and
book-lover — Lili Taylor also participated in the conference
and gave a short introduction to her film “Short Cuts,” which
was screened at the conference.
(Right, top) Alison McGhee is the author of three novels: Rainlight, Shadow
Baby and Was it Beautiful? She has also written books for children and young
adults, including Countdown to Kindergarten, Snap, Mrs. Watson Wants Your
Teeth and Some Witches Like Sprinkles. Inside Books participants were also
given a sneak peek at her next book, All Rivers Flow to the Sea, which will be
out in October.
(Right, bottom) John Coy is the author of the award-winning picture books Night
Driving, Strong to the Hoop, Vroomaloom Zoom and Two Old Potatoes and Me.
Night Driving and Strong to the Hoop have been adapted as plays, and Strong to
the Hoop has been published in Spanish as Directo al Aro. As part of the Read to
Achieve Program, John is a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx and
NBA All-Star Reading Teams. He lives in Minneapolis and works as a visiting
author and writing specialist in schools around the country.
22
Choose carefully. Books change you once you let the
Together Readers, Authors
23
em into your body. From Victoria Redel’s Yours Truly
Nick Flynn is the
author of novels,
a memoir and
collections of poetry.
His debut, Some Ether,
a poetry collection
inspired by a drug-addicted
mother who
ultimately commits
suicide, won a PEN/
Joyce Osterweil Award
and a Discover/The
Nation prize.
Actress Lili Taylor (left), a “ferocious reader”
and “a real book lover,” with Victoria Redel,
author of two books of poetry, Swoon and
Already the World. Redel has also published
a collection of short fiction, Where the Road
Bottoms Out, and her novel Loverboy was
recently made into a film directed by Kevin
Bacon and starring Kyra Sedgewick. Much
to her listeners’ delight, Redel read from her
new book, Yours Truly, at the conference.
(Conference photos: Marina Maric)
Strength Coach Helps
CSB Athletes Build
Confidence,
Not Bulk
By Glenda Isaacs Burgeson, Editor
Photos: Greg Becker
24
Working out at the “grassy knoll” (front to back)
Bethany Keene ’06, Leah Pustovar ’06,
Rose Spring ’07, Katie Rehani ’07.
“When I came here, I had grand plans to create a well-designed
resistance training program. I thought if I just build it,
they will come and work hard. I found out very quickly that was
not the case.”
Although the athletes appeared committed to their sport, they
were less likely than their male counterparts at Saint John’s
University to train with weights.
When they did train, they did so in
shorter time, and with less persever-ance
and intensity.
He recalled that CSB athletic
director Carol Howe-Veenstra
challenged him to develop programs
unique to the needs of female
athletes.
Prior to coming to CSB, Fischer
had spent eight years as an orthopedic
sports therapist. He well knew how to
design programs to meet physiologi-cal
needs, but the gender angle was
new, not only to him but to his
profession.
“There is not much research on
gender from a psychosocial perspec-tive
regarding resistance training. The
key question of why someone chooses
to engage or not engage in resistance
training has not been explored,” he
said.
He started by listening. He sought input from the coaches and
from the athletes. Once he identified their priorities, he focused
resistance training on developing stronger better athletes, and on
injury prevention. He recognized the time constraints faced by
student-athletes who are students first in an academically
challenging environment. Then, he created a program that was
fun, with shorter demands on time.
“The number one correlation with adherence is that it has to
25
be fun.” That imperative brings in the gender angle, because, he
explained, “If an athlete perceives that a task is gender inappro-priate,
then it’s not fun.”
A growing awareness of gender differences has led Fischer to
devise strategies to address them. “I don’t want to promote
stereotypes,” he said. “I want to understand where we are.”
For example, he said, if a female
athlete views strength conditioning as
gender inappropriate, then she is less
confident in her abilities to do that
task well. “Self-confidence is highly
correlated with willingness to perform
the task,” he said.
Fischer addressed that issue by
organizing group exercise sessions
among teammates, thereby creating an
environment where those most
experienced in resistance training can
lead by example. Research also shows
that women place a greater value on
relationships. The group sessions help
strengthen relationships, providing a
powerful motivation while building
self-confidence.
Fischer also worked to educate the
athletes, not only about the benefits
of resistance training, but about the
myths associated with it.
“Bulk won’t happen. Hormonally, females are not built to
bulk up.”
Finally, he developed a new program — functional training
— that offers resistance training outside the weight room and
uses a variety of methods, including elastic resistance bands and
medicine balls. The training is offered in group sessions of 30-45
minutes. In addition, the training is sport specific, which also
helps motivate the athletes.
“It’s been very successful. The students have embraced it.”
Four years ago, Don Fischer started a new job with high hopes. As the new strength and conditioning
coach at the College of Saint Benedict, along with an academic appointment as assistant professor and
chair of physical education, he was responsible for the strength and conditioning training of more than
300 female athletes in 11 varsity sports.
“I don’t want to promote
stereotypes. I want to
understand where
we are.”
26
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
From the Alumnae Council President
On behalf of the CSB Alumnae Council, I hope you had a
great summer and wish you a colorful autumn! We as alumnae
volunteer leaders took a little break over the summer, as well,
but not before participating in MaryAnn’s inauguration
festivities, the senior dinner, and commencement. We officially
closed the year with a joint volunteer summit, when we
gathered the Twin Cities Chapter, Central Minnesota Chapter,
Alumnae Council, and our SJU counterparts for a day of
revisiting the past year and planning for next year. Each of our
cornerstone committees (Recruiting, Student Preparation,
Alumnae Connection, and Resource Development) looked at
successes, challenges, and gaps as they strive to better meet their
respective committee missions. In addition, the council
approved significantly revised bylaws which govern our entire
Alumnae Association, of which every alum is automatically a
part. It is our intention to formalize and recognize alumnae
participation as volunteers, and the new bylaws should help us
achieve that goal.
This summer we stayed just busy enough to ensure we would
hit the ground running in the fall. We
had a new member orientation social
and also had our executive leaders from
the council and each cornerstone
committee meet with our peers from
SJU and the Twin Cities and Central
Minnesota Chapters. As you can
imagine, each of our volunteer
organizations could plan any number
of events/activities. However, in an
effort to be most impactful in serving
the college and alumnae, we have
identified several key metrics (e.g.,
alumnae donor participation rate,
number of student applications to
attend CSB) which, when measured,
indicate how successfully we have done
our job. These success metrics are likely to be consistent across
CSB, SJU, and the chapters, but we still have a little more work
to do before completing this. This is an important step in
ensuring our alumnae continue to become a more frequently
tapped and leveraged body of stakeholders for the college.
In closing, I would like to welcome Stuart Lang as our new
vice president for institutional advancement. Stuart brings
significant experience to the position being vacated by S.
Colman O’Connell. We thank Colman for all of her years of
dedication and know she will not go far! We also extend a
sincere thank you and farewell to Chris LeDuc, director,
Annual Fund, and Barbara Hein, director, Alumnae Relations
(although Barbara is not going any further than across campus
to her new role with Communication and Marketing Services
at CSB/SJU!).
Please consider getting involved as an alumnae volunteer! If
you are interested, call 1-800-648-3468 or fill out a volunteer
form on the web site at www.csbsju.edu/alum/.
Sincerely,
Shari Lamecker Rogalski ’89
President, CSB Alumnae Council
27
ALUMNAE NEWS & NOTES
This year, CSB alumnae were active in
President Baenninger’s inauguration (far left);
during commencement, welcoming new grads
(top); and at the summer’s reunion (above).
Shari Lamecker Rogalski ’89
Alumnae Council President