A new academic year has begun at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. As SJU Student Senate President Ben Bugbee announced during the Friday morning (Aug. 23) All-College Convocation in the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church, “It’s game time.”
CSB Student Senate President Celine Ferguson agreed. “We’re kicking off a brand-new school year, and we’ve got an all-star lineup here.”
The two student leaders had four key pieces of advice to share specifically with transfer students and the incoming CSB and SJU classes of 2028: Try new things, embrace the experience, ask for help and make it yours.
“Think of college as a time full of opportunities, just waiting to explore,” said Ferguson, a senior exercise and health science major from Nassau, Bahamas. “You might be feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, and that is just fine. Nobody goes to college as a pro.”
Bugbee, a sophomore political science and economics major from Paynesville, Minnesota, added, “This is your college experience, and you have the power to shape it. College isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. You will get plenty of advice, but ultimately, you’ll find your own rhythm.”
Ferguson drove home the pair’s sports metaphor by pointing out that “college is a team sport. You’ve got coaches (professors and staff), teammates (your friends), and plenty of resources to help you succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance when you need it.”
Friday’s joint ceremony marked the beginning of first-year orientation for the classes of 2028 and officially opened the 2024-25 academic year in a tradition that now rotates between the CSB and SJU campuses every other year.
CSB and SJU Senior Director of Admission Matt Beirne noted that the 758 combined first-year and transfer students include international students from The Bahamas, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, the Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
Thirty percent of the incoming classes are the first generation of college students in their families. And 29% are continuing a family legacy of Bennies and Johnnies, having siblings, parents or grandparents who have attended the schools in the past.
Fourteen new graduate students have been accepted into the graduate nursing program at CSB – two pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing and 12 in the Doctor of Nursing Practice cohort. Five of those graduate students are CSB and SJU alums.
Meanwhile, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary welcomed 43 new graduate students, pursuing degrees including Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Ministry and Master of Theology. The cohort represents 11 states and seven countries. Five of them are CSB and SJU alums.
Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D., president of both CSB and SJU, noted the importance of mutual support and community in this Benedictine setting. “Each individual, and our collective community, depends on the wisdom, grace, care and steady relationship-rich gifts brought forth by each member of our community.
“As we begin this academic year, let us remember our Benedictine tradition and the importance of listening, hospitality and the inherent dignity of each individual. All crucially important always, but perhaps especially now as we head toward another presidential election. So let us challenge ourselves to ensure that our words and actions help make our community respectful and welcoming to all.”
The faculty convocation address was delivered by Robert Campbell III, Ph.D., an associate professor of mathematics at CSB and SJU.
Campbell noted that “One of the biggest lessons I learned in college is that subjects in college are so much deeper and more interesting than I thought. At best, we only see a facsimile of these subjects in high school. History is not just names and dates. English is not just grammar. Mathematics is not just matching X with some random number.”
He went on to highlight an enduring strength of a liberal arts education: broad-based learning. “Imagine you are at a dinner party, and you sit down next to me, a mathematician. You immediately cringe, worrying that you are going to have to talk about math for the whole evening.
“Make yourself interesting! Fill your college experience with a wide range of courses, activities and opportunities. Don’t let yourself become a single thing. You will have time for your passion – be sure to explore other things though.”