July 15, 2022
Message from the Office of the President: July 15 update
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this finds you enjoying the long summer days. It’s been a good time to reflect on the journey we’ve been on these past two years and to lean into this opportunity to rejuvenate and get ready for the fall term – which is coming sooner than we think! A few news items to share with you:
Discover Healthcare Center Exploration Event
The MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will be coordinating the first area Discover Healthcare Career Exploration event to be held on October 5, 2022 at the College of St. Scholastica. This event provides a great opportunity for you to participate in an effort to expose students to jobs and careers available in healthcare at varying stages of educational achievement. You can register here.
Please reach out to Shayla Drake at shayla.drake@state.mn.us to learn more on how you can participate.
Art Collection and Restoration Initiative Update
Across the campus, four of the School’s have historical furniture pieces from the Sisters in place. The School of Arts and Letters’ display case will be moving next week to its new location in the Health Science Center. In addition to the display case move, walker strips will be placed throughout the second floor near the President’s Office to showcase current students’ work.
Currently, the Library is showcasing art from Tower Hall as part of the Art Collection and Restoration project. More information regarding this project including a video and an article will be in next week’s Friends newsletter. A big thank you to Facilities, Heidi Johnson, and Sarah Brokke Erickson for their efforts with this project.
US Para Nordic Team Training Camp
The US Para Nordic Team will be on campus and in Duluth for a training camp on July 20-27. The team will be staying on our campus and using our facilities in their quest to be the best in the world. This prestigious group brought home 14 medals from the Beijing Paralympics this winter. The youngest athlete on the national team, Max Nelson, will be attending St. Scholastica as a freshmen this fall and joining our ski team.
This is an incredible group of people and we are honored that they chose St. Scholastica for this camp. Please give them a warm welcome when you see them.
The Virginia Ruehlmann Fellowship
Kelly Mullan, Associate Director of General Education, Dignitas Director, was awarded the Virginia Ruehlmann Fellowship from Union Institute & University in support of ongoing work toward her doctoral dissertation, #emBODYgram: a study on Instagram and Young Women’s Perspectives.
The Virginia Ruehlmann Fellowship was established to empower women to become change agents and leaders in their communities. It is a competitive award granted to deserving graduate students based on a history of academic achievement in their field of study, and their focus on public and social service. Congratulations, Kelly!
Northspan Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion Policy & Sustainability Intern
St. Scholastica student, Olivia Niska, joined the Northspan team in late May as our Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion Policy & Sustainability Intern. During this summer internship, Olivia will conduct research related to understanding the best DEI policies and practices in business, community, and other organizational entities.
“Right now I’m assisting the Northspan team in compiling a comprehensive list of organizations in northeast Minnesota engaged in welcoming work,” shares Olivia. “We’re documenting the whole process and I’ll put together a paper summarizing the JEDI policies and practices. Our goal is to create a database of JEDI policy resources plus a directory on welcoming efforts in the region.” For more information about Olivia’s internship, read more here.
Ojibwe Medicine Garden
On Tuesday July 5th the Ojibwe medicine garden had a small blessing ceremony where the garden received it’s Ojibwe name: Minwendamoog aamoog mawadishiwewaad – translated as “the bees are happy visiting.”
Jeremy and Jacob Wilson brought the college drum down to sing a few songs for the blessing. Elder and Fond du Lac Bend member, Dawn LaPrairie gifted the name and shared the story associated with how the name came to be.
Sister Terrie from the St Scholastica Monastery was in attendance and received a blanket as a gift of appreciation for her help with establishing a space for the garden.
The ceremony included a small feast of deer meat and berries, songs, prayer and stories. The group also shared ideas on how to grow the garden’s presence and create a small seating area as a future project. In addition, signage will be included now that the garden has received its name.
The garden is supported in part by grants from the Northland Foundation and the Ordean Foundation.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend ahead and stay safe,
Barbara
