May 28 Safe Return update

Dear colleagues,

As the weeks move forward, we continue to hear the good news of the country’s recovery from COVID-19. Although we are watchful of new strains and continued infections, these numbers have dropped dramatically. There is much to celebrate as we continue our return to a more normal environment. I want to thank the Saints Rise Up team, all who contributed to the planning and execution of the Saints Rise Up Safe Return efforts. Everyone did their part, and we have much gratitude for the ways, big and small, that you have contributed to keeping our Saints family safe. We continue to be watchful and mindful of our safety while also having a sense of great hope thanks to our Community Pledge and vigilance.

COVID-19 Update: Pulse Survey and Protocols

Thank you for your participation in the recent COVID-19 Vaccination Pulse Survey. The second iteration of the survey garnered a more significant number of responses totaling 888. Overall, 92% of respondents reported that they were fully or partially vaccinated, scheduled to get vaccinated, or planned to get vaccinated, with the majority of responders reporting full vaccination at 88%. Compared to the first survey in early April, those who reported being fully vaccinated more than doubled!

This wonderful news symbolizes our continued efforts to keep our community safe! We are grateful for your feedback as we move forward with summer planning and our safe return this fall.

Face coverings after today

Beginning May 29, face coverings will be optional at the Duluth, Health Science Center and St. Cloud campuses. If you are not fully vaccinated, you are strongly encouraged to continue wearing your face covering while indoors. For those serving at our extended sites, please continue to follow the protocols of your locations. Thank you for your compassion and patience as we readjust to a new normal!

Understanding Migrant Journeys

Members of the St. Scholastica community are invited to attend the Twin Ports’ observance of World Refugee Day event. The Interfaith Committee for Migrant Justice will host an observance of global migrations on Sunday afternoon, June 20, at 1:30 p.m. in Leif Erickson Park. Speakers with experience in various parts of the world will share their migration stories. You can find out more information about this event on the ICMJ Facebook page.

Athletics updates

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our student-athletes for their high academic achievements as their cumulative fall and spring grade point average finished at 3.46 with over 10 teams completing the year above a 3.5 GPA.

After a season of uncertainty with regards to athletics participation due to the complexity of the pandemic, the UMAC has officially announced that The College of St. Scholastica Athletics has won the UMAC Jerome Kruse All-Sports Competition Award after finishing number one overall in the conference. Each year the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference awards the institution that has accumulated the most points based on where each team finishes in the final standings of their respective sports. Read more about this honor here.

Congratulations to Olivia Howe for being named Third Team All-America by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

While baseball ended their season falling in the UMAC championship final, seven members of the team were named First Team All-UMAC. Congratulations to Grant Taival, T.J. Martin, Bryce Huffman, Jake Schelonka, Mitchell Novak, Luke Schemenauer and Matt Tautges. In addition, Mitchell Olson and Jack Perala were named All-UMAC Honorable Mention.

Share your story with the Marketing and Communications team

Help us tell our story! The Marketing and Communications team invites you to submit your story idea about a noteworthy student, faculty, staff or alum. In turn, these stories may be used in pitches to the media, social media, the St. Scholastica Magazine, the website and in advertisements to recruit new students. Thanks in advance for helping to celebrate all of the tremendous people that make up our Saints’ community.

As a reminder, future College Updates will be delivered every other week throughout the summer term. Please look for our next message Friday, June 11.

Wishing each of you a safe, restful Memorial Day weekend! I hope you are able to join safely with family and friends to enjoy being in community, as we commemorate and remember our loved ones.

Blessings to you all,

Barbara