April 16 Safe Return update

Dear College Community,

As we get closer to the end of the semester, a great deal of gratitude goes out to our Saints community – faculty, staff and students, for persevering and lifting up our Benedictine mission. At this time of the semester, we are rushing to finish up many things, and the pressures can be stressful and draining. The added anxiety of the pandemic and the difficult current events can leave us exhausted and discouraged.

And yet we are a people of hope and light! We are truly blessed by the many ways you live our mission daily. St. Benedict calls us into a life of loving relationships with one another, to be that community of grace and support. Please take time to reach out and check in with one another, remember and celebrate all you have accomplished despite the difficulties, and be kind to yourself and your colleagues.

Janssen vaccine pause

Earlier this week, we paused distribution efforts of the Janssen vaccine for students at our Duluth Campus. In response to some thoughtful questions we have received from our community, we have compiled a brief overview of why we are pausing and how this impacts our campuses. The overview also includes the College’s stance on vaccines as well as resources from the Vatican, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other respected Catholic scholars regarding the vaccine’s moral implications. We hope these resources will be of value to you.

Athletics updates

This past week we’ve received notification of numerous athletics honors and recognition. The UMAC annually selects one male and one female senior student-athlete for their success in the classroom, in sport, in leadership as well as their community service involvement. We are proud to announce that Ryan Steger has been named as a recipient of the 2021 UMAC Leadership Award.

In addition, four CSS student-athletes were recognized as Athletes of the Week including Eaton Foss (Men’s Outdoor Track and Field), Jordan Finneran (Men’s Soccer), Morgan Friday (Women’s Soccer) and Olivia Wright (Women’s Golf). As the Volleyball season concludes, Alcia Draper has been recognized as UMAC Defensive Player of the Year while Jessica Remer was selected as the UMAC Player of the Year. Six members of the Volleyball team were also selected all conference including Draper (first team), Remer (first team), Katie Brostrom (second team), Maddisen Burns (HM) and Ashley Larson (HM).As our teams continue to find success in their respective sports, Softball has increased their win streak to seven games (19-3 overall) while Baseball increases their win column to 5-3. This past weekend, Men’s Golf finished second at Turtleback and Women’s Golf finished in third place. Men’s Tennis found success defeating Concordia while the women fell in their contest.

This Friday, Tennis will be hosting Bethany Lutheran and traveling this weekend along with Baseball, Softball and Track & Field.

Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion updates

Thank you to all the participants of our inaugural One Campus One Read. We finished out the event with an amazing panel of speakers from the book selected, A Good Time for the Truth, last Thursday, April 8. Please be on the lookout for an opportunity to help select next year’s selection. Many thanks to our small group facilitators for making this year’s initiative happen, and to Academic Affairs for their collaboration.

Celebrate Earth Week

In honor of Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, the St. Scholastica community is encouraged to reflect on and celebrate our Benedictine value of stewardship. Check out the next week’s schedule of events, sign up for the campus EcoChallenge and listen to Sr. Teri Spinler read her Earth Day prayer.

In case you missed it

Wednesday’s front-page story in the Duluth News Tribune celebrated our region’s healthcare students and the role they’re playing in vaccine administration. Our own Nursing faculty Michelle Hoffman and Elisa Schmitz are featured. Thanks to Michelle, Elisa and all of our nursing students for their resiliency and willingness to serve the community!

CSS TRIO programs

The CSS TRIO programs are excited to share that alumna LaCora Bradford Kesti ’10 was recognized as a 2021 Minnesota TRIO Achiever by the Minnesota TRIO Association. Last year, LaCora was also honored as the very first recipient of the College’s First Gen Alumni Award.

Spring Commencement

Spring Commencement Celebration is planned for Saturday, May 15 at Amsoil Arena. This year’s commencement will be a nontraditional ceremony called a “grad walk;” a grad walk is a non-seated, reservation-only event. Please note, Spring Commencement is open to volunteers, graduates and graduate guests only.

Enjoy the gift of spring and take time for balance and wellness.

Blessings, and be safe!
President McDonald