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FALL 2012 MAGAZINE Our global classroom Where world views meet
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Page 1: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

FALL 2012MAGAZINE

Our global classroomWhere world views meet

Page 2: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

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.

Contact: College of Saint Benedict Magazine Institutional Advancement 37 South College Avenue St. Joseph, MN 56374-2099

Saint Benedict’s Magazine is published three times a year by the office of Institutional Advancement, Kimberly Ferlaak Motes ’89, vice president.

For address changes, please call 1-800-648-3468, ext. 1or email [email protected] Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Editor: Tammy MooreDesigner: Karen HoffbeckContributors: Diane Hageman, Mike Killeen, Ellen Hunter Gans ’05, Jill Yanish ’13, Bea Lund ’13, Joy Pohland ’10, Connie Nelson, Kristin Sawyer Lyman ’00

Cover Photo by Kelly Hayes ’13: Ashley Rynda ’13 takes time to admire and reflect during fall 2011 study abroad, inside the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

in this issue 2 As We See It

4 News

13 The World at Our Fingertips

22 Jill Thompson ’81

24 Donor Profile

25 Class Notes

34 Bennie Connection

37 I’m a Bennie

Page 3: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

FROM THE PRESIDENT

A springboard to the world

You can learn a lot about students on Move-In Day — the sheer quantity and contents of their trucks, cars and mini vans speaks volumes! It’s exciting to see the various cultures and experiences our students represent and their enthusiasm to connect as a community.

At College of Saint Benedict, students converge from 40 countries and 40 states, from different ethnicities and backgrounds and with a broad range of interests and talents. They learn from one another, and they become friends. Campus events, courses, student organizations and activities reflect our commitment to intercultural competence and diversity. Our students immerse themselves in cultures around the world through study abroad programs, service trips, internships and exchange programs.

These opportunities, on and off campus, promote international awareness throughout students’ four-year experiences.

Our wide-ranging commitment to integrative global education is the foremost reason College of Saint Benedict, and its partner Saint John’s University, will receive the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization in November 2012. This award is the most prestigious award for international education and celebrates the people, relationships and experiences that weave a thread of global awareness and connectivity into every facet of our learning.

Preparing global citizens Provost Rita Knuesel ’75 says it best in the feature article,

“The world at our fingertips” (page 13), when she describes Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s culture of global learning as “preparing students to be citizens of the world.” The depth of this commitment was not born overnight or via a few well-run programs. On the contrary, the aspiration to prepare global citizens can be traced to the 1850s when six Benedictine Sisters emigrated from Bavaria to St. Cloud and moved to St. Joseph in 1863.

These forward-thinking women set out to create global connections and opportunities guided by the Benedictine

values of community, commitment to the common good and practicing justice. It is no surprise, then, that nearly 100 years after the founding of Saint Ben’s, these same Benedictine values require that our community include people and cultures from around the world.

Simply put, our cultural fabric represents a commitment to learning about every facet of human experience.

The Senator Paul Simon Award offers formal recognition for a nearly century-long dedication to internationalization, and our students and alumnae continue to demonstrate every day their ability to make a difference at home and abroad. Proof positive:

• JillThompson’81runsanon-profitmicro-savingsorganization in South Africa that educates local citizens on best practices for saving and planning for the future (page 22);

• HuddaIbrahim’13sharesherpersonalexperienceswithmaternal mortality in Ethiopia in an article recently published in The Huffington Post (page 19);

• GinnyContreras’03livesandworksabroadasalanguageinstructor and freelance writer (page 37).

I invite you to travel our global community throughout this magazine. You’ll learn the breadth and depth of our globalspirit.You’llmeetJill,HuddaandGinnyinadditionto other fascinating people who are lifelong students of the world.

Through their stories and the stories of many other students and alumnae, we learn that College of Saint Benedict is simply a springboard to a world of ideas waiting to be cultivated. In any language, this is what it means to prepare citizens of the world.

MaryAnn lends a hand to the Class of 2016 on Move-In Day.

Page 4: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012
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AS WE SEE IT

Reflection and friendshipLocation: Machu Picchu, Peru

Pictured: 2013 graduates Anna Moore, Mary Schweich, Anna Williams, Molly Cook, Mackenzie Diekmann, Megan Smith, Allyson Kohler

The experience: “After classes, a few friends and I traveled to Peru to see Machu Picchu. We climbed up Huaynapicchu (a small mountain) to get a good view of Machu Picchu. This is a picture of us reflecting on our journey.”

Molly Cook ’13, photographer

Page 6: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

NEWS

4

CSB alumna recognized as entrepreneur of the year

Margaret Murphy ’90 was selected as the 2012 CSB Entrepreneur of the Year by the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship serving CSB/SJU. Murphy is president and chief operating officer at Olson, an award-winning advertising agency in Minneapolis, Minn.

Murphyhadherfirsttasteinbusinesswhenshestartedafastfood restaurant at the age of 17. After receiving a MBA degree from the University of St. Thomas, she began her career at Carlson Marketing, where she was the youngest recipient of the company’s top honor for customer service. She then moved to Denali Marketingin2007,growingthefirmtomorethan$20million in revenue. Olson, Murphy’s current workplace, acquired Denali in 2010.

The CSB Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes a Bennie whoexemplifiestheidealsofentrepreneurshipwhilepracticingBenedictine values in the workplace and in her life. Also recognized this year were Cary Musech ’80, founder and CEO of Tonka Bay Equity Partners, as SJU Entrepreneur of the Year, and Joe Cavanaugh ’81, founder and CEO of Youth Frontiers, as CSB/SJU Social Entrepreneur of the Year.

InJuly2012,MichaelHemesathbeganhisofficialpost as the 13th president of Saint John’s University.

“I am delighted that Saint John’s University has chosenDr.Hemesathasitspresident,”saidMaryAnnBaenninger, president of College of Saint Benedict. “Hisbackgroundandqualificationsarestellar.Moreimportantly, he has high aspirations for Saint John’s, as I do for Saint Ben’s. I believe that together our leadership will guarantee a bright future for CSB/SJU.”

HemesathgraduatedsummacumlaudefromSaintJohn’s in 1981 with a degree in economics and received hismaster’sanddoctorateineconomicsfromHarvardUniversity.HewasontheeconomicsfacultyatCarletonCollege since 1989 and served as faculty president since 2009. Before Carleton, he was on the faculty for two yearsatTuftsUniversityinMedford,Mass.Hiswife,ElizabethGalbraith,teachesinthereligiondepartmentat St. Olaf College, and they have a son, Cameron.

Hemesathisthefirstlaypresidentelectedtoafullterm in the 155-year history of the institution.

Saint John’s welcomes Michael Hemesath as 13th president

Margaret Murphy ’90

Saint John’s President Michael Hemesath ’81 and Saint Ben’s President MaryAnn Baenninger

Accounting grads chart their way to the top

College of Saint Benedict ranks number three in the country on certifiedpublicaccountantexams,according to the Best-Performing Accounting Programs of 2011 by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). This ranking is determined from the results ofallfirst-timeCPAexamstaken.

Saint Ben’s students collectively had an 84.8 percent pass rate on the CPA exam in 2011. The state of Minnesota averaged 52.6 percent and the national average was 45.5 percent. Accordingtothereport,thetopfiveschoolsforfirst-timeexamtakerswere (listed in descending order) Wake Forest University, University of Pennsylvania, College of Saint Benedict, University of Virginia and Duke University.

Page 7: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

5

Thisfall,124SaintBen’sseniorsbecamethefirstoccupantsof the new Centennial Commons, named for the college’s Centennial in 2013. Each of the four buildings that comprise the Commons is named for a Sister from Saint Benedict’s Monasterywhohasmadesignificantcontributionstothe Saint Ben’s community: Mother Cecilia Kapsner, S. Mary David Olheiser, S. Mary Anthony Wagner and S. Lois Wedl.

Centennial Commons opens its doors

Page 8: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

6

$1 million gift sustains Jackson Fellows program

The Marie and Robert Jackson Fellows program was established in 2008 with a gift from an anonymous donor. In spring 2012, the same donor gave another $1milliontosustaintheprogram,whichprovidesstudents the opportunity to serve the common good through community engagement, collective learning and leadership and professional development.

Every year, nine students with varying majors, interests and experience are selected through an application and interview process to be a part of the Jackson Fellows program. Each Fellow serves at a community site for a summer.

The 2012 Jackson Fellows internship placement sites included Anna Marie’s Alliance, United Retirement Center, Finnegans’, Jubilee USA, Breaking Free, Friendship Ventures, Children’s Museum of South Dakota, The Minnesota Project, Jeremiah Program andNorthwestHennepinHumanServicesCouncil.Areas of focus range from women’s empowerment to sustainability to eliminating hunger.

The diversity of the site placements and the type of work and leadership required from each Jackson Fellow creates a rich, vibrant and holistic learning environment.

Ninety-one percent of our students rely on scholarship assistance to make a Saint Ben’s education possible. Planned gifts such as life insurance, will bequests, real estate and charitable gift annuities secure future resources to strengthen and sustain our mission. Learn more at www.givecsb.com, click on Planned Giving.

Upward Bound program receives $1.4 million grant

CollegeofSaintBenedicthasreceiveda$1.4milliongrant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the Upward Bound program at College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. The program will serve 64 highschoolstudentseachyearforthenextfiveyears.

Upward Bound began at CSB/SJU in 1995 with a mission to create opportunities for high school students to attend college, with two-thirds of those students coming from low-income families or whose parents did not attend college.

Krumps establish $2 million endowed scholarship

Anne Schmidt-Krump ’82 and her husband, Paul Krump ’82, believe a college education can take you wherever you want to go in life. This core value, which is a product of their own experiences at College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, is a primary reason they have established the Anne Schmidt-Krump and Paul Krump Endowed Scholarship at College of Saint Benedict.

TheKrump’sgiftisa$2millionsinglepremiumlifeinsurance policy, which will be designated to the scholarship funds named in their honor at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s.

“Our gift is truly a stepping stone,” Schmidt-Krump explains. “As members of the CSB/SJU community, we must remember that education gives students more options in life. If we can help make a four-year degree available to a young student who values it, it is worth it. It is worth it to the individual, their family and the community at large — it is priceless.”

The Krumps live in Mendham, N.J. Their oldest daughter, Emily, graduated from Saint Ben’s in 2006.

DID YOU KNOW?

Paul Krump ’82 and Anne Schmidt-Krump ’82

Page 9: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

7

NEWS

The President’s Circle and Young Alumnae President’s Circle are two special groups of donors who have committed to leadership levels of giving. Every spring, we celebrate the difference they make in the lives of current and future Saint Ben’s students.

1. Ashley Ver Burg ’10, MaryAnn Baenninger, Tiffany DeLeon ’10

2. Joyce and Bob Humboldt

3. Rachel Stalley ’12, Mary Schmidt ’12, Adia Zeman ’12, Jackie Corral ’12

4. Brian Boevers ’77, Sara Hillen Boevers ’77

5. Jim Bassett ’58, Diane Starbird Malone ’79

Celebrations of philanthropy:President’s Circle and Young Alumnae President’s Circle

1

3

2

4 5

Page 10: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

8

Axel Theimer hits a high note with lifetime

achievement award

For more than 40 years, Axel Theimer ’71, CSB/SJU professor of music, has been creating melodious harmonies on the Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s campuses and beyond. For his dedication and extraordinary passion for influencing students’ lives with music, Theimer received the F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota at the Summer Dialogue conference.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor given by the association to recognize lifelong conductors with outstanding contributions and distinguished service to choral music in Minnesota.

Theimer has been on the music faculty since 1969, when he established the CSB/SJU Chamber Choir and began directing the SJU Men’s Chorus. In addition, he is founder and director of Kantorei, Amadeus Chamber SymphonyandNationalCatholicYouthChoir.Heisanactiverecitalistandhas presented master classes, workshops and seminars for state, regional and national music conventions and conferences.

Page 11: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

NEWS

9

Terrance Dolan is the vice chairman of Wealth Management and Securities ServicesatU.S.Bancorp.Heisacertifiedpublicaccountantand received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of St. Thomas. Dolan serves on the board of directors of Artspace Projects, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Foundation. In addition, he serves as a member of the Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts Council and is a strategic advisor for the Opus College of Business attheUniversityofSt.Thomas.Hisdaughter,Hannah,iscurrently a senior at Saint Ben’s.

Tu Tran ’13, student trustee, is a management major at College of Saint Benedict. Tran is an E-Scholar and member of the WeCar team, a student-run venture through the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship. She participated in CSB/SJU’s summer internship program inHongKongin2012.Bornin a refugee camp in Thailand, she moved to Vietnam with her family when she was two and thentotheU.S.whenshewasfive.

Rebecca Bergner Coborn ’81 earned a bachelor’s degree in management from College of Saint Benedict. She has been a community volunteer with theClemensGardenAdvisoryBoard,CathedralHighSchool,MayBowle,SacredHeartParishand other organizations. Coborn is married to SJU alumnus and former Regent Chris Coborn ’81. The Coborns’ daughter, Emily, graduated from Saint Ben’s in 2008 and their sons, Michael and Peter, are currently attending Saint John’s.

Sister Patricia Ruether ’66 joined Saint Benedict’s Monastery in 1965 and currently works in their development and communication department. She has degrees in home economics education and nutrition/dietetics. She taught home economics for 10 years atSaintBenedict’sHighSchoolandCathedralHighSchooland worked as a dietitian for 10 years in Long Prairie, Minn. Additionally, she has served on the St. Cloud Diocese Catholic Charities board and currently on the St. Joseph’s Farmers’Marketboard.ShehasalsobeenactivewithHabitatforHumanity.

Terrance Dolan

Sister Patricia Ruether ’66

Tu Tran ’13

Pam Bacon

Rebecca Bergner Coborn ’81

Pam Bacon, vice chair, faculty senate, is an associate professor of psychology at CSB/SJU. She received her bachelor’s degree from Carleton College and her Ph.D. fromIowaStateUniversity.Herresearchfocusesonself-concept, self-theories and the scholarship of teaching. She is the project shepherd for Saint Bens’ new academic building and the assessment director for a NSF S-STEM grant designed to increase the number of women majoring in math and science. Bacon received the S.MaryGrellTeacherofDistinctionAwardin2007. 

Welcome new members of the Saint Ben’s Board of Trustees

Page 12: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

10

NEWS

For the Blazer soccer team, the 2011 season was one of lasting traditions: 23 consecutive years with a winning season record and 16 straight years with 10 or more wins. In addition to these milestone achievements, the team was the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) co-champs and MIAC playoff champs. The team also made its way, for the second time, to the NCAA Sweet 16 tournament.

Season highlightsSami Meyman ’12 earned CSB

Athlete of the Year Award. Previously, she earned a place on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Continental Tire NCAA Women’s Division III All-America Third Team.

In spring 2012, three members of the Blazer soccer team represented the U.S. as part of the Division III All-Star team: sophomores Colleen Bouchard and Kristina Burk as players and assistant coachAnnieHawswasnamedheadcoach of the U.S.A. All-Star team.

Soccer team continues 23-year winning tradition

4 MIAC

Championships

Rachael Click is the new head softball coach. Click comes to the Blazers from Jacksonville (Fla.) University. She served as a graduate assistant coach for the Dolphins from 2010-12. Prior to coaching at Jacksonville University, Click served as an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 2009-10.

Jordan Wolfum, the associate and assistant swimming and diving coach, has been named interim head coach for the Blazers. The St. Cloud State University graduate is in her fourth season with the Blazers.

Blazer athletics announce new head coaches

Rachael Click Jordan Wolfum

HeadCoachSteveKimblewasnamed 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Coach of the Year and 2011 MIAC Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year. In only his third year with the Blazers, Coach Kimble led the team to the program’s fourth MIAC Championship.

The outlook for 2012 is bright: 16 returning players and a talented class of first-yearathletescompletetheroster.

www.csbblazers.com

45 All-MIAC players

38 All-Region

players 13 MIAC Players

of the Year

3.49Team GPA

14 Top three finishes

in the MIAC

Page 13: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

2012 COMMENCEMENT

“Let’s go forth and jump. If we get wrapped up in the glory days we miss the opportunity to see the glory that lies within each day.”

Allison Horton ’12student commencement speaker

President’s Medal Recipients Dan and Mabel Coborn, President MaryAnn Baenninger and Commencement Speaker Anne Thompson, NBC News’ chief environmental affairs correspondent

“This school, this experience, this education is now one of the most essential resources of your life. Cherish it, nurture it and it will sustain you through all that life puts in your path.”

Anne Thompson commencement speaker

Page 14: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012
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WorldThe

at Our Fingertips

By Ellen Hunter Gans ’05, M.A., MSc.

Page 16: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

14

“Comprehensive internationalization.” That’s the phrase NAFSA, the leading professional association dedicated to international education, used earlier this year when announcing that CSB and SJU would receive the prestigious 2012 Senator Paul Simon Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in campus internationalization.

Those two not-so-little words reflect decades of active, deliberate dedication to the creation of a global experience for our students.

Today, the numbers speak volumes about our efforts*: • Forthesecondconsecutiveyear,CSB/SJUrankNo.1

nationally among baccalaureate institutions with students who participate in mid-length study abroad programs.

• Wearehometomoreinternationalstudentsthanany other private college in Minnesota.

• CSB/SJUrankNo.13amongbaccalaureateinstitutions with 270 international students. We had the highest number of international students among Minnesota schools listed in the top 40 baccalaureate institutions.

• Ourstudentshailfrom40countries.These striking statistics helped us earn the highest honor

in international education, but numbers don’t tell the whole story of our “comprehensive internationalization.”

You can hear it in the stories of those who left the other sideoftheworldtofindahomeatSaintBen’sandthosewhowillleaveSaintBen’stofindanotherhomeontheothersideof the world.

You can see it in the photographs of those who studied abroad in Kolkata, joined a service-learning trip to Ecuador orcompletedateachingexternshipinGermany.

1857Six Sisters emigrate from Bavaria to St. Cloud and

move to St. Joseph in 1863.

>

1920sFirst Bahamian students enroll.

>Moments in time

Australia AustriaChileChina FranceGreece/ItalyGuatemalaIndiaIrelandJapanSouth AfricaSpainUnited Kingdom

Semester-Long Study Abroad Programs

Short-Term Study Abroad ProgramsBosnia and HerzegovinaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorGermanyPeruTanzaniaUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom

Alums reside in 76 countries around the world.

Australia Austria Bahamas Bangladesh Belize Bolivia Burma Burundi Canada Chile China, PRCosta Rica El Salvador

Ethiopia France Germany Ghana Guyana Haiti Hong KongJamaica Japan Kenya South Korea Mexico Mongolia

Nicaragua Nigeria Poland Rwanda Somalia Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Thailand Trinidad and Tobago United Kingdom United States Vietnam Zimbabwe

InternationalStudents

Page 17: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

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“We are proud to serve as leaders in an increasingly interconnected world,” says Saint Ben’s President MaryAnn Baenninger. “Saint Ben’s opens doors, traverses borders and encourages women not only to discover the world around them, but also to create it.”

Rounding out the global focusBuilding upon a strong foundation in study abroad, a

globalized faculty and curriculum, international students and our monastic tradition, Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s formedaCenterforGlobalEducationin2010.TheCenterprovides support, services and resources to deepen the level of engagement on many levels across the campus community.

While the Center’s name is new, the philosophy is not. In fact, we can trace our international roots to the Benedictines who hailed from Bavaria and traveled the world as philanthropists and entrepreneurs before settling in Minnesota to found the College. As Provost Rita Knuesel ’75 says, “Our Benedictine monastics were engaged in globalization long before anyone was talking about globalization.”

This spirit of extending comfort zones, of blazing new trails, of embarking on journeys of internal and external change is the result of the marriage between our Benedictine heritage and the commitment to the liberal arts.

AsfortheSenatorPaulSimonAward,CenterforGlobalEducation Director Joe Rogers says, “We see it as national recognition that what we’re doing here serves as a model. The whole campus ethos has been shaped by an intention of

global engagement and focus, and this award celebrates all of us and all the efforts we’ve made.”

TheCenterforGlobalEducationexistsasanacknowledgement that “comprehensive internationalization” includes all aspects of campus life. That means developing

When did you know you would lead a global life?

I have been incredibly blessed to see and experience many unique communities throughout my young life. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand when my parents fled there due to the political turmoil in Vietnam at the time. We moved back to Vietnam when I was two and then to Dallas,Texas,whenIwasfive.IlivedinLos Angeles and Minneapolis during high school. Recently, I was a participant in CSB/SJU’s new summer internship programinHongKong.

What has been your favorite moment abroad?

I have so many favorite moments! I get to represent Frenzoo (my company) at such eventsasHongKongFashionBloggersStyleSummit, even as an intern! This internship gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get my foot in the door in a global scene.  

Spotlight on: Tu Tran ’13CSB/SJU 2012 Summer Intern Program: Hong Kong

1969First group of students

study abroad in Luxembourg.

>

1975Bahamian Continuing

Education Program begins.

>

1975International House

established at Saint Ben’s.

>

“The whole campus ethos has been shaped by an intention of global engagement and focus, and this award celebrates all of us and all the efforts we’ve made.”

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Citizens of the worldWhile our study abroad tradition is just one part of our

global story, the impact can hardly be overstated. “Our signature, faculty-led model for semester-long study abroad has created a campus ethos for a global approach,” says Peggy Retka, Director of Education Abroad for CSB and SJU. “The question becomes where are you going, not if you will go.” And now our worldwide networking has turned the school into a magnet for international students who study abroad on our campus.

Today, many Saint Ben’s students who study internationally take advantage of internships in their host cities. Additional internships and externships have been set up across the globe, and we also offer numerous volunteer and service programs.

“We are quite literally preparing students to be citizens of the world,” says Knuesel.

For the women of Saint Ben’s, there’s an undercurrent running through all of these travels: See the world. Learn about it. Then change it.

Case in point? Patricia Bolaños, associate professor of gender studies, leads the Yambiro project, connecting Saint Ben’s students with a women’s cooperative in Otavalo, Ecuador. The focus: women’s empowerment and gender issues. The mission: promoting economic self-sufficiency for women in the indigenous Yambiro community.

8,833 miles away in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 18 representatives from Saint Ben’s gathered in Abu Dhabi for theWomenasGlobalLeadersConferenceinMarch2012— the fourth year Saint Ben’s has sent delegations to the conference.

“Deepening our global connections helps to build mutual understanding in so many important corners of the world,” says Retka. “There truly is a worldwide network of Bennies and Johnnies and friends of the colleges who have been impacted in one way or another by our international programs.”

1978Father Roger Klassen is first director

of international study abroad program.

Students study abroad in Spain.

>

1977Students study abroad in Austria and France.

>

a competent faculty with a world view, a curriculum infused with intercultural and global content and students who graduate prepared for life in an interconnected and competitive world.

“This isn’t just about a semester-long study abroad experience,” says Rogers. “While study abroad enriches the experience our students have in understanding the world around them, our vision is to provide a four-year experience that is deeply embedded in global issues and perspectives.”

“Deepening our global connections helps to build mutual understanding in so many important corners of the world.”

Festival of Cultures: Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s students host a community celebration sharing the music, art and cuisine from their home countries and study abroad sites.

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17

When did you know you would lead a global life?

During my study abroad experience on theRoman-Grecoprogram.WhereverIgo, I learn a little from others, and they learn a little from me. I think that is the most important part of living a global life. Understanding how others think and see the world opens up opportunities for new ideas and innovations to better our world.

With that in mind, I went to China to understand and experience an old culture with a lot of history and to see the ever-growing country that changes day by day. After living and working here, I now know that a global career is a direction I want to take.

What has been your favorite moment abroad?

Experiencing a traditional Chinese business dinner — it gave me a complete opportunity to experience what the Chinese do best: food, hospitality and celebration of hard work.  

Spotlight on: Mary Weber ’13CSB/SJU 2012 Summer Intern Program: Shanghai

Bringing it homeThese exceptional opportunities are merely a sampling

of the options presented to Saint Ben’s students. And these are just the off-campus manifestations of our international initiatives.

On campus, faculty members make a conscious effort to infuse globally-focused curriculum into every academic department. One department living this initiative in a significantway:GlobalBusinessLeadership,thenewnamefor the management program. The adjusted moniker — and reshaped curriculum — reflects a renewed and enhanced focus on what the management curriculum had already been doing for several decades.

Margrette Nemanich Newhouse is the John & Elizabeth Myers Endowed Chair in Management. As a 1988 Saint Ben’s alumna and faculty member, Newhouse has a unique perspective on the history of the college’s global commitment.

“The new name matches what’s already at the heart of the program, and it reflects where we’re going with the department and the business environment our graduates will inhabit,” says Newhouse.

The revamped curriculum includes a new approach aimed at launching students with a foundational, intentional global business leadership focus early in their academic

1979Students study abroad in

Greece, Italy, Ireland and England.

>

1988Students study abroad in China.

>

Students gather in a nineteenth century British cemetery in Kolkata with Indian author Kunal Basu as part of the Writers at Home program, a partnership between the Literary Arts Institute and Office of Education Abroad.

Page 20: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

Joe Rogersdirector, Center for Global Education

Two-minute resume. • 1989graduateofSaintJohn’sUniversity;participatedin

CSB/SJU study abroad program in London. • MasterofartsinEastAsianStudiesandlawdegreefrom

University of Minnesota. • Privatepracticelawyerforsixyears.• JoinedCSB/SJUtoworkwiththeAsianStudiesProgram.

Was director of the Office for Education Abroad at CSB/SJU for three years and became director of the Center forGlobalEducationin2010.

Most interesting place traveled.One of my favorite places is Penang, Malaysia. My wife and I visited during the Chinese New Year in 1993, when we were living in Taiwan. Penang is an island located in the Straits of Malacca, at the crossroads of South Asian and East Asian cultural traditions. Penang is physically beautiful, the food is amazing and the people were wonderful. I wish I was back there! Life experience that prepared you for your current role. Growingupinafamilythatembracedinterculturalexperienceshas impacted me a great deal. Making friends with people from all over the world is something I can always remember myself doing. The fact that I now do this as part of my job is icing on the cake. The Center for Global Education 10 years from now. I see the Center partnering more intentionally with faculty, departments, alums and global partners to deliver a cutting- edge global education to students throughout their four-year experience. We will continue to be a leader in study abroad, and more of our students will participate in internship and other experiential learning opportunities that impart global skills. More students will conduct research on global issues or in collaboration with our partner schools.

Ideally,afully-fundedCenterforGlobalEducationwill provide support to sustain these programs as well as create fellowships so that all students have equal opportunity to graduate fully-prepared for life in our globalized world.

18

1998Students study abroad in South Africa.

>

2000Students study abroad in Australia.

101 students from over 35 countries enroll at CSB/SJU.

>

2003Students study abroad in Japan.

>

Page 21: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

careers. Starting with the class of 2015, sophomores will immerse themselves in master’s-caliber qualitative and quantitative courses designed to impart skills necessary for success in a global business community. Students will put this solid foundation into context as juniors and seniors with internships, service learning and study abroad opportunities fittingforacareeringlobalbusiness.

One additional advantage for students: engagement with alumnae who are spread across the world, doing the work for which Saint Ben’s prepared them. “At Saint Ben’s, we’re fortunate to have a wonderful network of alumnae doing extraordinary things around the world,” says Newhouse. Students in her courses use Skype technology to connect withformerstudentsinChina,Sweden,Spain,HongKongandGuatemalatolearnfirsthandhowaglobally-focusedcurriculum translates into a global life. As technology evolves, students will have more opportunities to engage in global teamwork without leaving the campuses.

The journey continuesSaintBen’sandSaintJohn’srecentlyestablishedtheGlobal

Center Advisory Council, a group composed of faculty from all four academic divisions as well as administrators from Academic Affairs, international student admissions and programming, Education Abroad and Fine Arts Programming. The Council — along with the Center for GlobalEducation—offersstructuretosupportandsustainthe comprehensive approach to internationalization that earned us the Senator Paul Simon Award.

The “comprehensive” component of our efforts is paramount. It’s not one department. It’s not one program. It’s a core perspective evident in every class, every day. That’s because students from every major will cross the stage at graduation and enter into a world where global consciousness

What brought you to Saint Ben’s?Saint Benedict had everything I was

looking for in a college. I wanted a liberal arts school that offered a reliable and challenging learning environment. Also, I wanted to get individual attention from professors and grow in my leadership capabilities. College of Saint Benedict is a beautiful campus. It has a great environment and a hospitable community. The college is a great place to have a wonderful education, and the students are positive and friendly.

When did you know you would lead a global life?

I have always had a passion for women’s health and advancement globally, but as I grow older and get educated, I realize that women are vulnerable and need empowerment. Seeing my mother die from maternal mortality motivated me to stand up for that cause.

Read Ibrahim’s article on maternal mortality published in The Huffington Post.

Spotlight on: Hudda Ibrahim ’13

19

2004Students study abroad in Chile.

>

2006Students study abroad in Guatemala.

>

2008-09550 students study abroad.

>

… students from every major will cross the stage at graduation and enter into a world where global consciousness isn’t just a competitive advantage — it’s often a prerequisite.

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isn’t just a competitive advantage — it’s often a prerequisite. To that end, Rogers has a clear eye on the future: “We’ve

built extraordinary relationships all around the globe,” he says. “Today we’re focused on deepening the level of engagement that our students have abroad as well as the engagement that international students have on our campus. We’re also continually enhancing curriculum to reflect an ever-changing world.”

We’re immensely proud of the Senator Paul Simon Award — but we’re even more proud of what it reflects. As you read this article, Bennies are all over the world. They’re in Australia. They’re in Japan. Chile. France. Ireland. London.China.Greece.They’restockpilingmemories,expanding their comfort zones and gaining priceless cultural perspectives. They’re changing their lives.

*Statistics represent Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s as coordinate partners, according to Open Doors 2011, the annual report on international education published by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Ellen Hunter Gans ’05, M.A., MSc.Owner, Word Couture ConsultingSometimes a place occupies a space in your brain and won’t

let go. For Ellen Hunter Gans ’05, that place is London. She studied abroad there in 2004 and found herself back in London pursuing a master’s degree in global media and communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Today, Ellen brings a global perspective to her work as a writer and communications strategist. She travels abroad as frequently as possible.

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2010Asian Studies major approved.

Center for Global Education created.

>

2010Recognized nationally as No. 1

in semester-long study abroad participation among baccalaureate institutions.

>

2010-11No. 13 in the country, and first in

MN among baccalaureate colleges for international student enrollment.

>

Saint Ben’s students in Guatemala, as part of the Alternative Spring Break Program.

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2012Recipient of NAFSA’s Senator Paul Simon

Award for Comprehensive Internationalization.

>

All dates refer to CSB/SJU unless otherwise noted.

2011Students study abroad in India.

>

Romania. The Philippines. Cuba. Ecuador. GeorgeHemmesch,SaintBen’scarpenterandmaintenance staff member, has swung his hammer in all of these places around the world.

ForHemmesch,servicetripsareawayto“serveGodandcommunity,broadenhorizonsand share our gifts with others.”

Hisfirsttripsabroadwerewithchurchgroups— Romania in 2005, The Philippines in 2011 and Cuba in March 2012. And in June 2012, he traveled with Saint Ben’s staff and students toEcuador.Thegroupfixeddesksforstudents,made improvements to buildings and repaired a jungle gym, along with other projects to support the Yambiro community.

The global emphasis at Saint Ben’s reaches beyondstudents.AndlikeGeorge,therearecountless faculty and staff who are enlightened to consider their impact on the world. Think global. Do global. Be global. That’s the formula many in the Saint Ben’s community subscribe to. The result? A global education and international service mindset that has hit critical mass, creating a dominant thread in the Saint Ben’s community.

Hemmeschsaysthateachtripabroadbringsa wealth of learning. In Ecuador, “everything has purpose. What looks like a weed is really a remedy for an ear infection. Everything… everything has purpose.”

So,whereintheworldwillGeorgegonext?Hehashissights…andhishammer,readyforAfrica.

George Hemmesch and Alexandra Brancale ’13 work together to repair desks for students in Yambiro, Ecuador.

Where in the world is George?By Joy Pohland ’10

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In spring 2012, my husband Jim Schnepf and I had the opportunity to lead a semester study abroad to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Spurred by a chance email exchange, one weekend Jim and I met Jill Thompson ’81, who lives in nearby Jeffreys Bay.

A diverse pathJill has had quite the life since she left Saint Ben’s. She was

a Peace Corps volunteer in two different African countries before she became an associate Peace Corps director for small enterprise development in Mali, West Africa, and then Botswana in southern Africa. After leaving the Peace Corps, she worked as a micro-enterprise consultant for various non-governmental organizations and government programs before deciding to leave consulting and make Jeffreys Bay her home.

A new journeyJeffreys Bay is a picturesque town known primarily for

itssurfing.And,asiscommoninSouthAfrica,extremelyimpoverished townships of mixed Xhosa and ethnic people surround it.

Especially considering the economic impact that the AIDS pandemic has had on vulnerable households, upon moving to Jeffreys Bay, Jill quickly saw the need to improve

the livelihood of people in nearby townships. But she did not see people in the townships as helpless victims. She wanted to help them improve theirfinancialresiliency, starting with the assets they already had. With this intent,five

yearsagoJillfoundedamicro-savingsnonprofit.Quite often these days, we read about the promise of

micro-lending — disbursing small loans to someone involved with a small-scale business venture. Culminating in a Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Bangladeshi Muhammad Yunus, micro-credit has been the rage in economic development the last 30 years.

So, what is a micro-savings plan? A nascent cousin of micro-loans, they flip the equation on its head. Instead of leading with debt (even small debt), micro-savings plans encourage people to save first. Members accrue their savings and make loans to one another from their pooled funds. No outside money is needed. No money is repaid to anyone outside the group. All interest earned on the loans accrues to the savers.

Mpendulo SavingsJill’s program, called Mpendulo Savings, helps individuals

in the Jeffreys Bay area form micro-savings and lending groups. Each savings circle must agree to meet for a year. They set their own ground rules: how often they will meet, where and the required savings target from each member each month.  

Saving in the township is hard, as 50 percent of the residents are already in debt to moneylenders or credit card companies. If they do have some money to save, their small deposits in traditional savings accounts get quickly eaten up with bank fees. Mpendulo Savings helps people work, little by little, toward the elimination of debt and the building of their assets.

Jill’s staff of four training officers supports the groups byprovidingadvice,basicfinancialliteracytraininganda savings “kit.” The kit contains a calculator, stamp pad, passbook for each member and a unique “strongbox.” Since it is important that members can trust that no one is tempted to run off with all of the group’s funds, this simple metal box is locked on three sides. Each side requires a different key to open it. To safeguard the money, three separate people in the circle hold the keys and a fourth keeps the metal box. The box can only be opened at the savings meetings in front of all group members.

Meetings are held in members’ homes, and each member bringsthegroup’ssavingstarget: betweenoneandfiveshares

Creative solutions provide powerful answers

By Connie Nelson

Jill Thompson ’81

Page 25: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

23

of 50 Rand (about $7).Themoneyiscounted in front of everyone and placed in the lockbox.

Individual group members then request loans, explaining why they are needed. The group discusses the loan requests and decides as a group whether to grant the loan. (Once granted, at each of the subsequent months’ meetings, the person with the loan must continue to bring at least one share to save, as well as the monthly interest owed on the loan.) At the end of the year, all savings deposits and interest earned are paid to members in what is called the “share-out.” In 2011, savings group members earned over 50 percent on their money.

Nowinitsfifthyear,thenonprofitorganizationsupportsmore than 130 savings groups with more than 1,300 members. Even these impressive numbers underrepresent the project’s full effect, as savings groups that have met for at least one year have become fully independent.

The ultimate payoffIntrigued by the growth and success of this simple idea, I

asked members of Mpendulo how they used their savings and loans. One woman put herself through a nursing assistant program and now works in eldercare. Another woman saved for a kitchen with running water. Yet another member added a room onto her home for her mother while saving for her wedding.

Many Mpendulo members took out loans at times when an infusion of cash is needed (i.e. the start of school), to pay off higher-cost loans or to buy an asset while paying the savings group over time.

Another enlightening fact: 80 percent of the current savers arewomen(downfrom97percentthefirstyear).This

provides a powerful affirmation that the singular purchases tell only part of the story. The women of Mpendulo gain something no money can buy: confidence. Knowing that at any time they could call upon savings and credit in a manner that is flexible and set in a social group where they feel

understood. One woman summed it up by saying, “This is thefirstguilt-freemoneyI’veeverhad.”

Jill is now studying micro-franchises, where small-scale business ventures are available for purchase, such as a bicycle-delivered milk route. Basic business plans come with the franchise, including how to price the products or where to purchase supplies cooperatively. She thinks micro-franchises hold great promise in an area with more than 30 percent unemployment.

Near the end of our visit with Jill, I asked, “What does  the word Mpendulo mean?” Jill smiled and said that the members came up with the name. “In isiXhosa, Mpendulo means ‘the answer’.”  

While Mpendulo may not be the only answer to getting people out of poverty, it is proving to be one answer that works.  

Learn more about Mpendulo Savings, at http://mpendulosavings.co.za.

Nelson, along with her husband Jim Schnepf, chair of the CSB/SJU computer science department, have led semester-long study abroad trips to Beibei, China, in 2008 and to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in 2012.

Nelson is a partner emeritus of The Public Strategies Group in St. Paul, Minn. She spent 30 years as an executive leader in Minnesota state government and as a consultant on public sector reform.

Creative solutions provide powerful answers

Saving circle members count and record the money.

Phot

o by

Con

nie

Nels

on

Page 26: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

24

Shenique Albury ’04 believes in Bennies. So much so, thatshedecidedtomakeafinancialgifttohelpyoungwomen afford a Saint Ben’s education. A biology major and environmental studies minor from Nassau, Bahamas, Albury was encouraged to come to Saint Ben’s by a Bennie she believes in: her mother, Zelma Albury ’87.

Albury’s gift to Saint Ben’s was inspired by her academic experience and also her appreciation for the donors that madeherowneducationpossible.HergiftmakesAlburya member of the Young Alum President’s Circle, which recognizes young alumnae who give at a leadership level for thefirst15yearsaftercollege.

Experiences, relationships to rememberAlbury has many fond memories of her time at Saint

Ben’s: dancing with the Bahamian Club and the annual international fair, where students showcase their culture through food, clothing and rituals to name a few.

She also fondly recalls the summer she stayed at Saint Ben’s to do research withGordonBrown, associate professor of biology. Albury was able to tour environmental studies labs and relate her research to real life situations. She describes Brown as a key ingredient to her Saint Ben’s transformation. “Gordonpushedme.Hewasthemost influential person for me at SaintBen’s.Hewas my adviser and teacher. I am very grateful for him.”

Brown’s positive influence, as well as Albury’s experiences workingasaresidentialassistantandtutoringwithHeadStartsignificantlyinfluencedhercollegeexperience.Shealsoacknowledges the value of a liberal arts education. “I didn’t want to take writing and other core classes, but I am glad that I did. No matter if you are going into science or any otherfieldyouneedtoknowthebasics,likewriting.”

WhentheopportunitytomakeafinancialgifttoSaintBen’s presented itself, Albury notes that it wasn’t a difficult decision.Shesaystherearemanyreasonstogive,but“firstand foremost are my Christian and Benedictine principles — giving is part of those beliefs.”

After Saint Ben’s, Albury went on to earn a master’s degree in environmental consultancy in England and is now a senior policy advisor/country representative with Nature ConservancyinNassau.HertimeatSaintBen’s,shesays,has fueled her passion to teach others. “When I give to Saint Ben’s, I get something out of it, too — the satisfaction of helping students. I was once in their shoes. Now, it’s my turn.”

Nassau to Minnesota: Bennies support Bennies

By Joy Pohland ’10

Creating a lifelong partnershipSaint Ben’s and Saint John’s have a long-standing

partnershipwithSt.Augustine’sCollegeHighSchool in Nassau, Bahamas. Albury is one of more than 650 students from the Bahamas who have made CSB/SJU their home away from home.

The following milestones illustrate the evolution of CSB/SJU’s partnership with the people and schools of the Bahamas:• 1920s—FirstBahamianstudentsenrollat

Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s.• 1974—SaintBen’ssponsorsBenedictine

University College in Nassau, in response to a request from two Saint Ben’s alumnae who sought assistance in providing in-service programs for teachers.

• 1994-2000—Thecollegessponsorthe CSB/SJU Bahamas Campus.

Today, Bahamian students continue to come to CSB/SJU for a four-year liberal arts experience.

DONOR PROFILE

Shenique Albury ’04 and her mother, Zelma Albury ’87.

Page 27: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

25

ALUMNAE MILESTONES

Milestones

1947Honor O’Connell Hacker was awarded Hill Murray High School’s Distinguished Alumni Benedictine Award in May ’12. Hacker spent 31 years inspiring students in her religion classes and received the Teacher of the Year Award in ’86.

1972Judith Sitarz was named the 2011 CSB Entrepreneur of the Year by the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship.

1974Mary Kay Schanhaar Welle received the 2011 Nan Hilt Writers Award from the editorial board of the journal, Orthopaedic Nursing. Her manuscript, “Inferior Vena Cava Filter Use as Pulmonary Embolism Prophylaxis in Trauma,” was selected as making the most significant contribution to the nursing literature for volume in ’11.

1975Elizabeth Dinndorf was named the 18th president of Columbia College in Columbia, S.C. She began her presidency in July ’12.

Denise DeVaan was named the 2011 Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship.

1977Peggy Landwehr Roske, was awarded the spring ’12 Extraordinary Performance Award for her work as a College of Saint Benedict archivist.

1978Sandy Stumvoll Anderson received the Region 8 Distinguished Teacher Award from the National Catholic Education Association in April ’12.

Connie Kutzke Dilts is a marriage and family therapist in private practice in Billings, MT. She is currently teaching a master’s-level play therapy class at a local university.

1979Lynn Newman was appointed chair of the College of Saint Benedict Board of Trustees.

1982Mary Hougnon Benjamin is the development director at CROSS Food Shelf.

Sharon Brin Hathaway illustrated a book written by her sister, Becca Brin-Manlove ’79, Hauling Water: Reflections on Making a Home in the North Woods.

Jonelle Spanier Heinen received first place at the Rice Memorial Hospital’s My Nurse Makes a Difference awards in May ’12.

Mary Lenard joined the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation as director of the Aging Services Program.

1983Mary Cassidy Lenker was named executive director of the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools.

For complete news and notes from classmates and to post your notes,

go to BenniesConnect: www.csbalum.csbsju.edu

1984Anne Nicolai lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and works as an associate editor of Sol: English Writing in Mexico.

1985Collette Balder Miller received her master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and deaf/hard-of-hearing educator’s license.

1988Irma Mayorga is a professor of drama and humanities at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

Jan Wilson Haas is the author of the book, Moving Mountains – One Woman’s Fight to Live Again, second place winner for autobiography/memoir and merit winner for inspiration/spirituality in the Colorado Independent Publisher’s Association 2012 EVVY Awards.

Photo by Paul MiddlestaedtScan to listen

“Bennie was a good girl… going to see the whole world.”

From the song, Bennie and Johnnie, by national recording artist Mat Kearney, who headlined this year’s 12 Pines concert. Kearney was so inspired by our communities, he later wrote the song which played more than 10,000 times within thefirst24hoursof being posted online.

Page 28: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

26

1989Stephanie Wetzel Landsem signed a three-book contract with Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. Her debut novel, The Well, will be released in June ’13.

1993Angie Hoffmann Nagel received the Companions on the Journey Award at the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference in Nov. ’10.

1996Bridget Lyons wrote the book, On the Rocks: Marriage and Margaritas, published under the pen name Erika Daniels. She is the founder and owner of www.thepresentpath.com.

1997Amy Fredregill was named executive director of Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, Inc.

1998Kara Jones is a parent co-facilitator for “Up With Downs,” a clearinghouse for information on Down syndrome and other disabilities.

1999Jennifer Leonard received a MA in music therapy from the University of Minnesota in May ’12.

Carolyn Parsons Sullivan was promoted to account director in the Corporate, Community and Public Affairs group of Weber Shandwick. She served as co-chair of the 20th annual Weber Shandwick pro bono communications workshop.

2000 Chrissy Lee Baune is senior planner for web strategy at Best Buy.

Maggie Weber Utsch is director of annual giving at College of Saint Benedict.

2001Christine Smeby was promoted to sourcing analyst, Technology Acquisition, at Target. She will also complete her MBA in Dec. ’12 from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.

2002Anne Marie Walters is a senior development officer at College of Saint Benedict.

2003Raeana Rice earned a DVM degree from the University of Minnesota Veterinary School in May ’12. She works at the Stillwater Veterinary Clinic.

Terri Way received the 2011 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award for the state of NH.

2004Jacklyn Stockinger was promoted to team lead of desktop operations at W3i in Feb. ’12.

2005Elizabeth Becker Typhina received a $4,000 fellowship and full funding to attend North Carolina State University Communication Ph.D. program in Raleigh, NC starting in fall ’12.

Heather Berscheit Grothe earned a MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May ’12.

Six alumnae graduated in spring 2012 from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis: Elise Johnson ’06, Katherine “Katie” Ward ’08, Sarah Eisenschenk ’08, Margaret “Maggie” Sweeney ’08, Caitlin Kennedy ’08 and Heather Berscheit Grothe ’05.

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Amanda Gustafson Burns graduated with beta gamma sigma honors from the University of St. Thomas Opus School of Business with a master’s in business communication in May ’12.

Megan Pavek Boyle received a MA degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University in June ’12.

Laura Sand Prink received a MSW degree from Augsburg College in June ’11.

2006Elise Johnson earned a MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May ’12.

Rena Rolfsen Thomas was named one of 40 movers and shakers under 40 who made a significant impact on the future of the region of Ocala, FL. She is an academic advisor at Saint Leo University’s Ocala Center.

2007Lindsay Grove completed a master’s in philanthropic studies and nonprofit management from The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in May ’12.

Molly Moriarty Rusin received a MD degree from Creighton University in May ’12.

2008Sarah Eisenschenk received a MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May ’12.

Caitlin Kennedy received a MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May ’12.

Maggie Sweeney received a MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May ’12.

Katie Ward received a MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May ’12.

2009Andrea Carrow graduated from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain with an International MBA in Dec. ’11.

Leah Juster graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a MA in museum studies in May ’12.

Britta Kolb interned at the Berkeley Art Center in Berkeley, CA and is a public programs intern at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, CA. She will graduate with a master’s in museum studies from John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, CA.

Penny Yu is a law student at Chinese University.

2010Melissa Fujan is enrolled in Rocky Vista University Medical School in CO.

Stacey Jessen is a CPA.

Hallie Jackson Johnson graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in hospital administration.

Jade Johnson was awarded the Rising Star Award at Charter Media, where she has been a marketing representative for one year.

Larissa Ranvek received a MS in physician assistant studies from Des Moines University in May ’12. She is practicing at the Community Health Care Center in East Moline, IA.

Kristal Sawatzke is the orientation and learning community director at University of Aukland in New Zealand. She received a MA in student affairs higher education from Colorado State University in Denver in May ’12.

2011Emily Bina is an associate producer with The Huffington Post in New York, NY.

Megan Kelly is a second-year medical student at Rush Medical College and a second lieutenant in the Minnesota Army National Guard. She completed a basic officer leaders course at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX in June ’12.

2012 Anna Martin is a marketing and communications intern at HealthPartners in Bloomington, MN.

From this day forward

2001 Suzie Coffey to Jeremy Busch, Aug. ’11

Kris Kubicek to Anthony Engler, June ’12

2002 Michelle Minke to Cam McCambridge ’03, May ’12

Jenna Forner ’08 to Miguel Salinas, June ’11 Kris Kubicek ’01 to Anthony Engler, June ’12Andrea Wise ’07 to Andrew Meyer ’07, June ’12

For complete news and notes from classmates and to post your notes, go to BenniesConnect: www.csbalum.csbsju.edu

Page 30: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

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Bundles of joy

1993 Marguerite Flynn & Shawn Petersen, girl, Tess, Feb. ’12

1994 Ronna Kohorst Baca & Marco Baca, girl, Nina, Feb. ’11

Sandy Trierweiler Jerpseth & Keith Jerpseth ’95, boy, Jack, March ’12

1995 Jill Funk Simons & Brent Simons, twins, Samuel & Charles, Dec. ’10

Jennifer Schulte Rogan & Michael Rogan, boy, John, Feb. ’12

Stacy Tasto Ferderer & Douglas Ferderer ’95, boy, Owen, March ’12

1997 Jody Cushing Zetah & Christopher Zetah, boy, Tucker, June ’12

Connie Goeden Gottfried & Andrew Gottfried ’96, girl, Sydney, Dec. ’11

Kelly Sauer Collins & Craig Collins, boy, Michael, April ’11

1998 Jeannie Bykowski Kenevan & Matt Kenevan, boy, Clayton, Sept. ’11

Jill Mensing Kelly & Scott Kelly ’98, boy, Michael, Feb ’12

Jennifer Hafner Doom & Benjamin Doom ’98, girl, Harper, April ’12

Tanyele Kajer & John Fuchs, boy, Caden, Dec. ’11

Julie Nester Carlson & Boe Carlson, girl, Hazel, Feb. ’12

Julie Russomanno Nilsson & Steve Nilsson, girl, Lucy, Feb. ’12

1999 Heidi Mueller Buckentine & Michael Buckentine, girl, Harper, Feb. ’12

Carolyn Parsons Sullivan & Thomas Sullivan ’99, boy, Liam, Oct. ’11

Gretchen Adelmann Korf ’00 and Michael Korf, boy, Edmund, Feb. ’12

Juliet Govern ’04 and Tommy O’Keefe ’04, girl Elena, Oct. ’10

Jill Mensing Kelly ’98 and Scott Kelly ’98, boy, Michael, Feb. ’12

2002 Mary Schwarz to Tim Oakland ’02, Oct. ’11

2003 Jenna Joelson to Will McNulty ’03, Oct. ’10

Caroline Starr to Thomas Berndt ’03, March ’11

2004 Susan Matthees to Ronald Blum, April ’12

Elissa Pfannenstein to Philip Ryan ’01, Nov. ’11

Susan Schulzetenberg to Michael Gully ’00, Jan. ’12

2005 Annikah Colon to Sean Moaratty, Jan. ’12

Melody Landwehr to Justin Gertken, Dec. ’11

Kelly Vilson to Jason Romo, Nov. ’10

2006 Megan Haines to Tony Berendes ’06, July ’11

Kristina Sherman to Jeff Polzin ’04, June ’12

Erin Smith to Matthew Meredith, Sept. ’11

2007 Meghan Fitzgerald to Kyle Bonde, June ’12

Stephanie Gassert to Scott Paul ’09, Sept. ’11

Megan Kurtz to Tyler Engelke ’08, Feb. ’12

Alice Lousberg to Kyle Kindseth, Jan. ’11

Molly Moriarty to Spencer Rusin, April ’12

Andrea Wise to Andrew Meyer ’07, June ’12

2008 Erin Buss to David Rynda ’09, Oct. ’10

Jenna Forner to Miguel Salinas, June ’11

2009 Margot Bieging to Blake Kraemer ’06, July ’12

Laura Bredeck to Christopher Johnson ’09, June ’12

Katherine Eng to Josh King, Aug. ’11

Brooke Johnson to Brock Vestrum ’05, June ’12

Abby Milton to Ryan Turbes ’09, June ’12

2010 Bryn Aaberg to Nicholas Davis, April ’11

Courteney Ellison to Jon Reed, Aug. ’11

Lindsay Hansen to Matthew Anderson ’11, Feb. ’12

Sarah Hund to Joe Solberg, Oct. ’11

Hallie Jackson to Kirby Johnson ’10, May ’12

Ana Johnson to Bob Burge, May ’11

Mandy Libbesmeier to Mark Krippner, June ’11

Christine Long to Jake Schwartz, Feb. ’12

Nicole Magedanz to Ben Morris ’10, June ’12

Brittany Meyer to Eric Power, June ’12

Shayla Swartz to Paul Blaschko, June ’12

Ashley Theisen to Richard May, May ’11

Stephanie Wegmann to Erik Peterson, June ’12

2011 Courtney Christenson to Luke Opsahl ’11, Dec. ’11

2012 Mikala Foehrenbacher to Drew Gaffke, July ’12

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Shannon Speidel Braaten & Randy Braaten ’99, girl, Dru, June ’12

2000 Gretchen Adelmann Korf & Michael Korf, boy, Edmund, Feb. ’12

Amy Larson Sand & John Sand ’00, boy, Michael, Feb. ’12

Rebecca Reibestein Johnson & David Johnson ’99, boy, Devin, June ’12

Nicole Schmucker Apold & Dallas Apold, boy, Sander, Nov. ’11

Debra Wentz Ferraro & Dan Ferraro ’00, boy, Jack, Dec. ’11

2001 Dawn Bauerly-Pieper & Corey Pieper, boy, Brady, May ’12

Angela Busse Boylan & Art Boylan ’01, girl, Nora, May ’12

Amber Dingmann Jacobs & Paul Jacobs, girl, Lillyan, Dec. ’11

Susanna Cook Miller & Brent Miller, boy, Ethan, March ’12

Jessica Johnson Keating & Ryan Keating ’03, boy, Christian, Aug. ’11

Angie Minnerath Spitzley & Robert Spitzley ’01, girl, Sydney, March ’12

Katie Rothstein Minnich & Tony Minnich ’00, girl, Luella, Nov. ’11

Trina Rothstein Stephens & Tim Stephens, boy, Logan, May ’12

Ellen Tuchner Kennedy & Mike Kennedy ’99, girl, Victoria, Nov. ’11

Sarah Young Erickson & Mark Erickson, girl, Olivia, April ’12

2002 Sara Anderson Krieg & Brendon Krieg, boy, Simon, March ’12

Stephanie Braegelmann LaBine & Nathan LaBine, boy, Parker, Dec. ’11

Kathleen Penkala Massmann & Ronald Massmann, girl, Kathrine, Dec. ’11

Julie Hauwiller Empey & Craig Empey, boy, Marcel, Sept. ’11

Mary Joyce Houghton & Joe Houghton ’02, boy, Joseph, April ’11

Mary Keane Willner & William Willner, boy, William, Sept. ’11

Kristin Kragseth Tapper & David Tapper, boy, Samuel, Dec. ’11

Jennifer Maza Otremba & Timothy Otremba ’01, girl, Eleanor, Aug. ’11

Sara Pfeninger Friedrichs & Bill Friedrichs, girl, Elizabeth, March ’12

Natalie Wills Mulrooney & Jim Mulrooney ’03, girl, Annemarie, March ’12

2003 Kirsten Andenas Aligada & Reynaldo Aligada ’98, girl, Ruby, July ’11

Jackie Bye Boldt & Michael Boldt ’03, girl, Katherine, Jan. ’12

Stephanie Casey Bielat & Ryan Bielat ’03, boy, Ollie, Sept. ’11

Katie Flynn Benscoter & Adam Benscoter, girl, June, March ’12

Sarah Madge Carey & Mike Carey ’02, girl, Katherine, March ’12

Jennifer Myers Kutter & Ryan Kutter ’03, girl, Corva, Jan. ’12

Caroline Starr Berndt & Thomas Berndt ’03, boy, Oscar, Aug. ’11

2004 Jaclyn Bodeen Klinkner & Ryan Klinkner ’04, boy, Evan, May ’12

Kate Eder Edrey & Patrick Edrey ’04, girl, Grace, March ’12

Laura Guetter & Matt Novak ’03, girl, Elizabeth, Sept. ’11

Ann Gunville Singewald & Phil Singewald, girl, Emma, July ’11

Kristin Kattar Carlson & Luke Carlson, girl, Madeleine, Nov. ’11

Katie Knewtson Deibele & Brooks Deibele ’02, girl, Vivienne, Sept. ’11

Maria Kraemer Schwartz & Eric Schwartz, girl, Emma, June ’11

Dayna Logering Francis & Alex Francis ’04, boy, Peter, Jan. ’12

Beth Meierhofer Dixon & Joshua Dixon, girl, Sawyer, Dec. ’11

Rachel Peters Studanski & Ryan Studanski, boy, Landon, May ’12

Anne Trebtoske Jacobs & Cory Jacobs ’03, girl, Ava, Nov. ’10

Give a gift that really matters. www.givecsb.com

of seniors identify a faculty member as a mentor or role model.

The graduation rate is higher than the national average for women.

You’re an investor in Saint Ben’s. Here’s why your stock’s looking up:

95%

81%

90%

9 IN 10

of seniors rate the overall quality of their academic experience as good or excellent.

students say their academic major prepared them well for their career or graduate school.

MORE THAN

Your investment is in students like Madison Mick, a junior from Sartell, Minn. studying pre-dental with a biology major and gender studies minor. She’s here because of scholarship support made possible by donors who understand the value of a Saint Ben’s education.

For complete news and notes from classmates and to post your notes, go to BenniesConnect: www.csbalum.csbsju.edu

Page 32: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

Share your passion for Saint Ben’s with the next generation of Bennies and Johnnies. Refer a student and he or she will receive a free CSB/SJU T-shirt.

Complete the online referral form at www.spreadred.com.

Deepen your friendship with CSB. Like College of Saint Benedict Alumnae Association on Facebook and access the latest news, events and photos.

Anne Yager Pogatchnik & Jeff Pogatchnik, boy, Jeffrey, April ’12

Juliet Govern O’Keefe & Tommy O’Keefe ’04, girl, Elena, Oct. ’10

2005 Rachel Deutz Holmgren & Justin Holmgren ’03, girl, Nora, Feb. ’11

Janet Fiedler Barthel & William Barthel, boy, Charlie, April ’12

Amy Martinka Schuett & Dusty Schuett ’04, girl, Allison, Oct. ’11

Tricia Nolan Meling & Shaun Meling ’05, boy, Grayson, June ’12

Marian Studer Lyndgaard & Kyhl Lyndgaard ’99, boy, Lars, Feb. ’12

Tracy Studniski Ebnet & Jason Ebnet, boy, Gavin, July ’12

Katie Wilcox Jahnke & Brady Jahnke ’03, girl, Isabelle, May ’12

Heather Parker Plumski & Jamie Plumski, girl, Grace, Oct. ’11

Amanda Thompson Ramler & Wayne Ramler, girl, Anna, Feb. ’12

2006 Lisa Bush Nelson & Tyler Nelson, boy, Connor, May ’12

Kelly Denne Minnich & Adam Minnich, boy, Owen, Jan. ’12

Sarah Domine Engdahl & Ryan Engdahl ’06, boy, Bennett, May ’12

Kristin Beranek Hillesheim & James Hillesheim, boy, Gavin, May ’11

Jessica Koskela Johnson & Kurt Johnson, boy, Bennett, Jan. ’12

Laura Krippner Gorder & John Gorder, boy, Owen, June ’12

Christine Pladson Wayne & Christopher Wayne ’06, boy, Benjamin, Aug. ’11

Amanda Tiegs Buermann & Scott Buermann ’06, boy, Evan, July ’11

2004 Janelle Heitzman Loehlein & Matthew Loehlein, girl, Isabella, May ’12

Heather Navratil Singsank & Michael Singsank, girl, Kylee, April ’12

Theresa Nykodym Needham & Marcus Needham ’04, boy, Sully, Dec. ’11

Kathy Wenker Gilk & Steven Gilk ’04, boy, Jackson, Dec. ’11

Kathryn White Schad & Adam Schad, boy, John, May ’12

30

Facebook Friends

Page 33: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

By the Numbers alumnae who list a country outside of the U.S. as their home residence.

alumnae majored or minored in a foreign language.

estimated percentage of Peace Corps population that are female.

million Americans work or study overseas.

2007 Molly Gruber Denne & Mitchell Denne, girl, Alyse, Feb. ’12

Heather Johnson Kruk & Michael Kruk ’06, girl, Lilah, May ’12

Lynn Paradis Boerger & Jon Boerger, boy, William, Dec. ’11

2008 Erin Buss Rynda & David Rynda ’09, girl, Claire, Nov. ’11

Laura Doboszenski Lahti & Tim Lahti ’06, boy, Isaac, April ’12

Carolyn Hejny Stang & Chad Stang ’08, boy, Charlie, Feb. ’11

Katie Ranallo Boegel & Kevin Boegel ’08, boy, Landon, May ’12

Emily Rayman Luitjens & Steven Luitjens ’08, boy, Gabriel, Nov. ’11

Hillary Thoma Sass & Joseph Sass ’08, boy, Easton, Jan. ’12

2009 Michelle Horning Sperr & Adam Sperr, boy, Ethan, Nov. ’11

2011 Janessa DeRosier Harren & Nicholas Harren, boy, Beau, Dec. ’11

In memoriam

1938 Pauline Wetzel Borg, Jan. ’12

1939 Beatrice Weisser Compton, Dec. ’11

1942 Gertrude Dorle Foley, Feb. ’12

Marie Ludowese Spedick, April ’12

1943 Bettie Peffer Mertz, May ’12

1944 Alda Smith Thiessen, Dec. ’11

1945 Marian Spengler Ryan, Dec. ’11

Richard Monahan, spouse of Jan Selly Monahan, April ’12

1947 John Cumming, spouse of Jeanne Krause Cumming, Oct. ’11

1948 LeRoy Poganski, spouse of Jean O’Hotto Poganski, March ’12

1949 Gerald “Jerry” Murtha, son of Dorothy Fish Murtha, June ’12

William Nichols ’48, spouse of Mary Chouinard Nichols, Dec. ’11

John Janey, son of Phylis Geering Janey, June ’12

Ruth Spohn Andersen, March ’12

Jerry Twomey ’49, spouse of Joan Ulrich Twomey, May ’12

1950 Lee Gresser, spouse of Lorraine Barthel Gresser, Dec. ’11

Norene McIntee Foster, March ’12

Bill Twohy ’85, son of Shirley Savoie Twohy, Feb. ’12

Curtis Olson, spouse of Marjorie Schutz Olson, April ’12

Thomas LaBonte, son of Mona Baril LaBonte, Feb. ’12

1951 Carol Beacom Borgeson, Oct. ’11

1952 Donald Liebsch, spouse of Jean Laubach Liebsch, Feb. ’11

Fran Voelker ’53, spouse of Mil Padrnos Voelker, Feb. ’12

Sister Margaret Van Kempen, March ’12

Sister Terence Nehl, May ’12

1953 Patricia Poston Scott, Nov. ’11

1954 Renee LaBrosse Ichinose, daughter of Betty Hunt LaBrosse, Oct. ’11

Robert Ruether ’56, spouse of Jane Schmid Ruether, May ’12

1956 Greg Ruprecht ’58, spouse of Mary Wyant Ruprecht, April ’11

Eileen Potter Simmons, Jan. ’12

Sister Lucille Hubmann, Jan. ’12

1959 Mary Carol Matt Beirne, April ’12

1960 Anne Lommel ’87, daughter of Sandra Stotko Lommel, Feb. ’12

1961 Sister Marilyn Kulzer, March ’12

Donald McMillan, spouse of Patricia Diegel McMillan, April ’12

Julie Ann Lickteig, May ’12

1962 Edward Nilan ’61, spouse of Sharon McNamara Nilan, Nov. ’11

1964 Joanne Ardolf Decker, Feb. ’12

Robert Vleck, spouse of Kathy Ophoven Vleck, Dec. ’11

Sister Mary Ann Henn, Jan. ’12

1966 Carol Fettes Baland, July ’12

1967 Jerry Bottema, spouse of Corky Korte Bottema, May ’12

1968 James White ’63, spouse of Jo Ann Terhaar White, Jan. ’12

Susan Moebius, May ’12

1971 Dom Hillesheim ’69, spouse of Sandy Harris Hillesheim, Nov. ’11

1974 Dr. William Tomcek, spouse of Mary K. Roble, Dec. ’11

1977 Ken Daniels, spouse of Judith Muyres, Nov. ’11

1979 Mary Lou Lubbesmeier Burns, Jan. ’12

1982 Michael Utsch, son of Deborah Dingmann Utsch, May ’12

1983 Jordan Karasch, son of Mary Gruenes, May ’12

Barbara Scherek, July ’12

1985 Shirley Harris, Feb. ’12

1987 Anne Lommel, Feb. ’12

1988 Kathryn Portilla-Trettel, Feb. ’12

1994 Gloria Gustin Eng, Jan. ’12

5571,754616.4

31For complete news and notes from classmates and to post your notes, go to BenniesConnect: www.csbalum.csbsju.edu

Page 34: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

OVER

380

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CLASS OF 1962 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARYPh

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REUNION AWARD RECIPIENTS

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CLASS OF 1962 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Page 36: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

BEN

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ECTI

ON

1. Raquel Gudiel ’09, Jackie Corral ’12, Ashley Ver Burg ’10, Tiffany De Leon ’10, Anna Burgason ’11 and Adia Zeman ’12 enjoy the Minnesota Association of Counselors of Color 20th Anniversary Boat Cruise on the St. Croix River.

2. Jen Fischer DuBois ’01, Mindy Fradin Gallagher ’01 and Rina Shockman ’01 in front of Rockefeller Center on their trip to New York City — an impromptu getaway they hope to turn into an annual tradition with other Bennie friends.

3. Bennie alumnae mothers with their graduating Bennie daughters during the annual Mother/Daughter Senior Brunch at Saint Ben’s.

4. Elizabeth Humbert ’11, Brianna Shrankler ’12 and Kate Holzer ’11 cheer on the Minnesota Twins with the Young Alum Committee.

5. Anna Schumacher ’10 and Nakita Poon Kong ’10 on the backwaters in Alleppey, Kerala, India.

6. Rachael Rudeen Klos ’00, Katie Diedrich Dake ’00, Barbara Kilzer ’05 and Brooke Jacobsma Wolf ‘97 enjoy a wine tasting in Denver, Colo.

Bennie ConnectionSend us a photo and description of your Bennie connections to [email protected].

1

2

3

Page 37: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

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Page 38: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

36

Push Play2012 FINE ARTS SERIES 2013

For Tickets: 320-363-5777 or csbsju.edu/Fine-Arts

Fri, Sept 28at 7:30 p.m.

CSB

DINNER

PRE-SHOW

Sat, Dec 15at 8:00 p.m.

SJU

The Good Lovelies

Beau

Solei

l avec Michael Doucet

Sat, Dec 8at 7:30 p.m.

CSBJim

Bric

kman

ft. t

he

CSB/SJU Orchestra

DINNER

PRE-SHOW

Upcoming Events in 2012:Hot Club of San Francisco: Cinema Vivant - 9/15 at SJU

Lucky Plush: The Better Half - 9/22 at CSB

BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet - 9/28 at CSB

Live Action Set: The 7-Shot Symphony - 10/13 at CSB

Acoustic Africa - 10/20 at SJU

The Second City - 10/27 at CSB

Pastiche - 10/26 at SJU

David Wax Museum - 11/9 at SJU

Accidental Hero - 11/16 & 11/17 at CSB

Jim Brickman featuring the CSB/SJU Orchestra - 12/8 at CSB

The Good Lovelies - 12/15 at SJUDINNER

PRE-SHOW

Sat, Dec 8at 7:30 p.m.

CSB

Acoustic Africa

www.csbalum.comLog on and click Events or call 800-648-3468, ext. 2 to learn more about these and other Bennie gatherings added throughout the year.

Sept. 27 Bennie Day Wherever Bennies are around the world! Twin Cities gathering at Amore Victoria

Sept. 28 Centennial Commons Dedication & Blessing College of Saint Benedict

Sept. 29 Young Alum Homecoming Breakfast LaPlayette, St. Joseph, Minn.

Dance Team Homecoming Brunch College of Saint Benedict

Intercultural LEAD Homecoming Reception & Lunch College of Saint Benedict

Oct. 21 Alum Gathering in Phoenix, Ariz.

Oct. 28 Wine Country Garden Party in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Nov. 3 Alum Gathering in Nassau, Bahamas

Nov. 3 Blazer Hockey Game & Alum Reception in Blaine, Minn.

Nov. 7 Career Expo at College of Saint Benedict

Nov. 17 Blazer Basketball Game & Olympic Training Center Reception in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Nov. 17 Red Mass at College of Saint Benedict

Feb. 7-10, 2013 Eco-Spirituality Dogsledding Retreat in Ely, Minn.

Alumnae Events

Page 39: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

37

I’M A BENNIE

Please describe your work.I’m an English teacher at a private language school in

Prague, Czech Republic. Previously, I taught English in Hungary,RussiaandJapan.InEuropeandAsia,manycompaniesofferlanguagelessonsasapartoftheirbenefitspackage, and that’s where I come in. On a typical day, I traverse the city by subway and tram to teach at up to four companiesinoneday.I’vetaughtatL’Oreal,Honeywell,AirNavigation Services, Tchibo coffee service and so on. I’m a “senior” teacher, which means in addition to my teaching hours, I give methodology workshops and seminars and mentor a small group of “junior” teachers.

In my spare time, I’m a freelance travel writer. I work with the two major English publications in Prague — Expats.cz and The Prague Post. Most of my articles are about activities in and around the city, day trip options from Prague and specialty food shop reviews.

  How did you end up doing what you are doing?Actually, I have Saint Ben’s to thank for that. During my

senior year, I attended a presentation at the career resource center about the JET Program — a program sponsored by the Japanese government to bring recent college graduates to be assistant language teachers in their public school system. At that time, I had no background in teaching. I majored in Spanish with a minor in political science, but I was (and am) fascinated by culture and language and was always looking for an opportunity to travel. 

My husband and I ended up spending two years in Japan. The JET Program provides on-the-job training, but mostly it’s learn-as-you-go. After my contract was up, we decided that the lifestyle suited us. At that time (and I think still

now),oneofthemostrecognizedcertificatesintheTEFL(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) world is the CambridgeCELTA(CertificateinTeachingEnglishtoSpeakers of Other Languages). We did an intensive CELTA courseinBudapest,Hungary,andhaven’tlookedback.

What opportunities and obstacles have you

encountered as you live and work abroad?Well, let’s start with the obvious challenge: the language

barrier.Onetime—IthinkitwasthefirstweekwewereinJapan — my husband and I had to walk out of a restaurant. The menu had no pictures, the waiter didn’t know English, and we didn’t speak Japanese at the time. After trying hand gestures and miming (I was never good at charades!) — we gave up and embarrassingly left without ordering. I’m pleased to say we studied Japanese every day and quickly picked up enough to get by.

Nowadays, most of our challenges are baby-related. Child rearing in general is a difficult undertaking, but even more so when you get conflicting advice — the Czech way, the American way and the Mexican way (my husband is from Mexico). Our baby girl, Olivia, was born in Prague in December 2011, and it’s funny how babies can complicate your life. We never bought a car because with the amazing public transport it wasn’t necessary, but now when we take the tram to the grocery store we have to get creative when coming back home with the baby stroller and all the shopping bags. Also, we’ve always missed having our families nearby. Now more than ever, we miss having ready babysitters close at hand. 

The opportunities, where to start? As many challenges as there are, we wouldn’t still be doing this if the opportunities didn’t outweigh the challenges. A selling point for me is the chance to be an amateur anthropologist — learning about thepeople,thecultureandthelanguagefirsthand.Thetravel opportunities are unbeatable: long weekends in Rome, ChristmasinBangkok,windsurfinginVietnam,summerbreak in Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia. But more than anything, living and working abroad has allowed me to get to know myself and challenge myself in a different context. For betterorforworse,I’mdefinitelynotthesamepersonwholeft the U.S. seven years ago.

Do you have any advice for young people — either

those who are thinking of your line of work or just general advice?

Key words like flexibility and adaptability that you always try to work into your resume or cover letter… well, I can guarantee that after a year in this line of work it will be true and then some.

Ginny Sawyer Contreras ’03

Page 40: Saint Benedict's Magazine Fall 2012

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT37 South College AvenueSt. Joseph, MN 56374

CHANGE SErviCE rEquEStEd

Non-Profit Organization

u.S. Postage

PAid

College of Saint Benedict

Non-Profit Organization

u.S. Postage

PAid

College of Saint Benedict

Celebrating 100 years 1913-2013

Mark Your Calendars and Don’t Miss

Saint Ben’sAll-School Reunion

June 28-30, 2013All class years invited.

Preregister online at www.csbreunion.combefore Oct. 15, 2012, and save $10 off your official registration fee!


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