A look back at CSB and SJU in 2022

Here’s a look at some of the top stories at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University for 2022. 

Summer Leadership Fellows announced largest cohort in program history … Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary named Shawn Colberg as new dean … Robin Balder-Lanoue and Margy Hughes received awards during National Girls and Women in Sport Day … SJU received $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. … Cheryl A. Stanton named General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at CSB and SJU … Benedictine Volunteer Corps selected 2022-23 chapter … Alicia Peters earned state’s top art educator award … Experience Hub created to provide one-stop shopping for learning opportunities … CSB dance team recorded two top-seven performances at nationals … Patrick Crandall named CSB head lacrosse coach.

CSB and SJU part of ACE Worldwide Internationalization Laboratory Cohort … CSB and SJU Multicultural Center diversity and inclusion program manager Sydney Robinson received national honor … students experienced unique ‘Ice Mass’ on Lake Sagatagan … CSB and SJU announced Dean’s List for 2021 fall semester … Johnnie basketball won third straight MIAC playoff title and advanced to NCAA tourney … SJU won first MIAC indoor track and field team title.

CSB and SJU named Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D. as president … Mark Vande Hei ’89 returned to Earth after setting record for longest spaceflight in U.S. history … students presented Mayo Scholars experiential research project findings … 20 CSB students accepted into elite Catholic honor society … CSB and SJU students named Newman Civic Fellows … return on investment study found SJU, CSB among best in state … CSB and SJU added global health minor … CSB and SJU students presented research at Scholars Showcase … CSB’s Fiona Smith earned two All-America honors at NCAA indoor nationals … SJU’s Maguire Petersen earned All-America honors in heptathlon.

Sydney Walker became sixth Truman Scholar in CSB history … top-flight CSB and SJU nursing students aimed high in new 4+1 BSN-MSN program … Phi Beta Kappa recognized 56 students for academic excellence … three Johnnies received Extraordinary Service Awards … Dan McKeown ’85 received Walter Reger Award … historian Douglas Brinkley visited CSB and SJU … CSB and SJU students honored at Upper Midwest Emmy Awards ceremony … Jerry Haugen eclipsed 900 career baseball wins.

SJU honored class of 2022 as commencement returns to Abbey Church … 374 Bennies enjoyed a traditional graduation ceremony for the first time since 2019 … Strong Integration proclamation officially signed … Christian Loeb ’22 named Delta Sigma Pi Collegian of the Year … SJU, CSB ranked in top 13 for best value among midwestern colleges by Money magazine … CSB and SJU total six Fulbright grant recipients … Campus Compact honored two CSB and SJU recent alums, four organizations for civic impact … CSB, SJU and OSB employees honored at year-end ceremonies … CSB and SJU faculty honored with Academic Affairs awards and recognition … CSB’s Fiona Smith earned two All-America honors at NCAA outdoor nationals … CSB softball hosted NCAA regional … SJU’s Brett Hague and Maguire Petersen earn All-America honors at NCAA outdoor track and field championships … SJU ended golf season in 26th at NCAA championship … Johnnies won MIAC outdoor track and field title … SJU won MIAC All-Sports Trophy for 2021-22.

Pedro dos Santos became 1st Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in CSB and SJU history … Transitional presidents left huge impact on CSB and SJU … Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program offered students experience in global, U.S. public policy … Native Nations Task Force began work as Saint Ben’s earns NEH grant to archive materials related to Indigenous school history … CSB and SJU announced Dean’s List for 2022 spring semester … Reunion was held June 24-26. Both CSB and SJU honored graduates with awards … Heather Pieper-Olson named CSB vice president of institutional advancement.

Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary received $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment … Reunion was held July 8-10. Both CSB and SJU honored graduates with awards … CSB alumna Colette Peters named director of Federal Bureau of Prisons … Kura: Prophetic Messenger book continued to earn awards.

2022-23 academic year opened with first joint CSB and SJU convocation … computer science and math evolved to produce new data science major … professor emerita Janna LaFountaine passed away.

Three graduates received Entrepreneur of the Year Awards from Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship … new program redefined graduating with distinction in 21st century … CSB and SJU again among national leaders in college rankings … Vatican beckoned Saint John’s School of Theology professor Kristin Colberg to synod drafting committee … Cory Piper named dean of admission … professor Ed Turley passed away.

Ceremony dedicated SJU on-campus townhomes, bridge … 2022-23 Fine Arts Programming series started with Soweto Gospel Choir … 16th firing of Johanna Kiln honored three artists instrumental to The Saint John’s Pottery … 25th anniversary of Festival of Cultures held Nov. 6-13 … Gen. Paul Nakasone ’86 offered insight on courage, assurance of fair elections in visit to SJU for McCarthy Lecture … SJU golf won third straight conference title.

Mark Vande Hei ’89 returned to campus as inspiration to those following in his footsteps … six-year grant will help CSB and SJU faculty to continue fostering inclusivity … Sandra Mitchell hired as inaugural senior diversity officer … climate studies minor introduced in 2023 at CSB and SJU … students from CSB and SJU make most of rare access at UN climate conference … CSB and SJU students gathered at annual Thanksgiving dinner … new record set on Give SJU Day … professor emeritus Fr. Rene McGraw, OSB, passed away … Clayton Gearhart honored for research in the history of the field … CSB and SJU recognized as a 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for college student voting … CSB’s Fiona Smith placed second at Division III national cross country meet … SJU football won fourth-straight MIAC title and advanced to NCAA second round … Lloyd Young earned All-America honors at NCAA cross country championships.

Colleges celebrated season with campus holiday concert … CSB and SJU students celebrated at annual holiday dinner … Joe Kelly ’83 retired as Minnesota’s director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

CSB and SJU named Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D. as president

Sydney Walker became sixth Truman Scholar in CSB history

Strong Integration proclamation officially signed

Pedro dos Santos became 1st Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in CSB and SJU history

Vatican beckoned Saint John’s School of Theology professor Kristin Colberg to synod drafting committee

CSB’s Fiona Smith placed second at Division III national cross country meet