E.J. Dionne, one of America's top political observers, pays triubute to the late Sen. Eugene McCarthy, one of Minnesota's top politicians, in a speech at St. John's University. McCarthy, whose 1968 presidential campaign galvanized the anti-Vietnam War movement, died two years ago.
St. John's University in Collegeville has put a very good name on its new Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement. It will bear the name of the late Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy, the 1935 St. John's honors graduate who made his mark on the nation's history when he launched an anti-Vietnam War presidential bid 40 years ago this month.
The center, a joint enterprise of St. John's and its sister school, the College of St. Benedict, promises to bring Benedictine values of hospitality and stewardship to public policy work. That's an activity that could use more of those gentle graces.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have received pledges of $10.3 million to establish two centers of academic excellence and distinction that will engage students in making connections and crossing boundaries in the 21st century. The centers will enhance student learning, promote faculty development and raise public awareness about pressing issues of our day.
The College of Saint Benedict received a $5.3 million commitment from Tom Petters, founder, chairman and CEO of Petters Group Worldwide, for the creation of the Thomas J. Petters Center for Global Education. Petters, a St. Cloud native, is a member of the CSB Board of Trustees. His company has investments in a collection of more than 60 companies around the world including Polaroid, Sunbeam and Sun Country Airlines. Petters is an active philanthropist with particular interest in the development of young people pursuing global understanding and international business. He previously provided funding for the Petters Auditorium of the Benedicta Arts Center at CSB.
Saint John’s University received a $5 million gift pledge from Dan and Katharine Whalen for the creation of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement. Dan Whalen, who began his career in the public policy arena, is a 1970 graduate of Saint John’s and immediate past chair of Saint John’s Board of Regents. Katharine Whalen, who has an M.A. in public policy from the University of Minnesota's School of Public Affairs, has held various positions in city and environmental planning at the local, state and federal level and at Stanford University.
The Petters Center will help broaden understanding and strengthen engagement of students and faculty in looking outside the United States to understand the global nature of business and model citizenship in our world. It will also build on a nationally-recognized study abroad program. CSB and SJU operate 17 separate study abroad sites on six continents including a 25-year partnership with Southwest University in BeiBei, Chongqing, China.
“The future is dependent upon our youth having a broad understanding of other cultures,” Petters said. “It’s essential to teach students about the importance of understanding cultural differences and exchanging ideas that can be used to enhance the lives of all people, and encourage dialogue for a more peaceful world.”
“Tom Petters has a gift for bringing people together,” said Mary Ann Baenninger, president of the College of Saint Benedict. “Whether supporting our award-winning performing arts center, offering scholarships to students passionate about international business or giving our interns challenging and engaging work around the world, Tom has had a profound impact in the lives of our students, their families, our faculty and staff and our global community.”
The McCarthy Center, named after the late Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy, who was a 1935 graduate of Saint John’s, will grow on a strong foundation in the academic exploration of public policy, governance and citizenship at CSB and SJU and their record in bridging the classroom to the wider world. “I’ve seen what Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s does for students,” Dan Whalen said. “This place really does transform people. And it’s a first rate education. I can’t think of a better investment.”
“We are extremely grateful to Dan and Katharine for this generous commitment and are pleased to meet their request to honor Senator McCarthy in this way,” said Br. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president of Saint John’s University. “Our institutions have a long record of producing prominent political leaders and developing programs in the area of public policy. Through Dan and Katharine’s generosity, this center will prepare our students to serve and help address real-world challenges in our communities.”
Both gifts were announced nearly two years after the institutions jointly publicly announced the largest fundraising drives in their respective histories, together totaling $230 million. To date, the institutions have raised $212 million in current and deferred gifts and pledges toward the $230 million goal.
The application deadline for the Spring 2008 White House Internship is September 25, 2007.
A White House Internship is an opportunity for current students and recent graduates to experience everyday life at the White House while working with high-level officials on a variety of tasks and projects.
Strong applicants should exhibit:
Beyond experiencing the day-to-day operations of the White House, interns participate in a speaker series, tours, community service projects, and various White House events. For more information and an application please visit our website at:http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html Applications should be submitted to intern_application@whitehouse.gov on or before September 25, 2007 for the Spring 2008 Internship. If you have any questions please contact Meghan Espinoza at 202-456-5979.
Judge Diana Murphy of the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will be honored with the Fidelis Apparitor Award during the sixth annual Red Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Sacred Heart Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, on the College of Saint Benedict campus. The public is invited to attend.
The award, which means “faithful servant” in Latin, is given to individuals who have been good and faithful servants of the law. John Simonett, a former associate justice with the Minnesota Supreme Court and a 1948 graduate of Saint John’s University, received the award last year.
Honorees are chosen by virtue of their exemplary service, outstanding competence and leadership, and their adherence to the directive in the Rule of Saint Benedict: “No one is to pursue what is judged better for oneself, but instead, what is judged better for someone else.”
Murphy, who was born in Faribault, Minn., received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. She was in private practice from 1974-76 in Minneapolis, then served as a judge on the Hennepin (Minn.) County Municipal Court from 1976-78 and as a judge on the Minnesota District Court Fourth Judicial District from 1978-80.
In 1979, she was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat created in U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota. She was confirmed by the Senate in 1980, and served as chief judge from 1992-94. In 1994, she became a judge in the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals following a nomination by President Bill Clinton. Murphy also served as chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission from 1999-2004.
Murphy served for 19 years on the SJU Board of Regents, chairing the board from 1995-98. She is now a Regent Emerita. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.
The celebrant and homilist for the Red Mass is Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of Saint John’s Abbey.
The judicial year in many jurisdictions around the world is traditionally opened with a Red Mass. The celebration of the Mass is designed to provide judges, lawyers, civic leaders and academics of all faiths the opportunity to reflect on the powers and responsibilities that are part of their offices.
Red Mass participants ask God to grant the virtues and gifts necessary for the proper and just administration of their duties. The Red Mass name comes from the red vestments and garments that early legal participants wore on this occasion.
The Minnesota Office of United States Senator Amy Klobuchar is seeking interns for the Fall, 2007 Semester.
An internship in Senator Klobuchar’s office will provide unique experiences to students while they assist staff members with constituent issues and concerns. Here, students will work directly with congressional aides on issues involving constituent concerns and requests. They will also assist the staff in working with city and town officials and non-profit organizations applying for federal grants.
Every effort is made to pair interns with legislative staff based on their interests and experience. Interns will also assist in supporting the legislative and professional staff by conducting research and providing administrative support.
All interns will be asked to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. This will include time both in the Twin Cities office and at various locations throughout Minnesota. If your institution allows or requires college credit, accommodations can be made. These are un-paid internships. To apply or for more information, please call (612) 727-5220 or send an e-mail with a cover letter and resume attached to Joe_Campbell@klobuchar.senate.gov. Please put “Internship” in the subject line.
Students from public and private high schools from across the Upper Midwest are invited to enter the second annual College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University Public Policy Learning Community Essay Contest.
“Contested Ideas and Methods: Debating Public Policy” is the topic of the essay contest, sponsored by the Public Policy Learning Community at CSB/SJU. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2007. Entries should be submitted by e-mail to mlindstrom@csbsju.edu or by mail to: Dr. Matthew Lindstrom, Public Policy Learning Community, Saint John’s University, Simons Hall 150, Collegeville, MN 56321.
The Public Policy Learning Community at CSB/SJU is offering this essay contest to foster awareness of and interest in public policy issues at any area and level of government.
Entries may address policy in any area of government, from domestic to foreign, and any level of government, from local policy to international law. Essays will be judged on the quality of writing and support of the theme through evidence, not on the policy issue chosen or specific position held by the writer. A bibliography using any standard academic style is necessary.
Papers should address the importance of the issue and the policies involved in that issue, why they are important, and what improvements could be made to the policies or their implementation. Topics within the scope of public policy include, but are not limited to, education, war, environment, poverty, health care, taxation, trade, criminal justice, civil rights and liberties, international refugees, and much more. Essays should be 1200 words at a minimum.
“This writing contest is meant to show students how public policy affects their lives, and how they can affect public policy,” said Lindstrom, CSB/SJU associate professor of political science and director of the Public Policy Learning Community.
“Through active citizenship, we can help government advance the good of society,” Lindstrom continued. “Many of us are unaware of the effects of even the smallest policy changes on important issues. This writing promotes thought among students about the issues of interest to them, and allows them to research these issues and suggest improvements to public policy that would improve life in society today. With this encouragement, students will hopefully become more politically aware and active citizens.”
There is a first prize award of $200 and a second prize award of $100. Certificates of merit will also be awarded.
Editor's Note: E.J. Dionne was a guest on Minnesota Public Radio's Midday program on Tuesday, April 17.
Gene McCarthy admired the writings of Washington Post newspaper columnist, author and commentator E.J. Dionne, Jr. That admiration was mutual.
Dionne praised McCarthy as a "poetic Isaiah whose plain literacy puts many other politicians to shame" and that rare politician "willing to stand alone in the hope that, once in a while, something good might happen."
As the inaugural speaker in the Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19 at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Dionne will honor McCarthy for his courage to speak out alone in a time of war. His speech, "The Promise and Limits of Politics: What Gene McCarthy Taught Us," is free and open to the public.
Dionne is noted for a keen intellect that delivers reasoned analysis with a passion for people – traits that also applied to the late U.S. representative and senator from Minnesota and Saint John’s University graduate. Dionne – like McCarthy – is also Irish and Catholic.
Dionne's op-ed column – which began in 1993 in the Post – appears in syndication to more than 100 newspapers. He joined the staff of the Post in 1990 as a reporter.
Prior to joining the Post, Dionne spent 14 years working as a reporter for the New York Times newspaper, reporting on state and local government, national politics and from around the world, including stints in Paris, Rome and Berlin.
His best-selling book, "Why Americans Hate Politics: Death of the Democratic Process" (1991, Simon and Schuster), was called a "classic in American political history" by Newsday. It won the Los Angeles Times book prize, and was a National Book Award nominee.
Dionne has also written "They Only Look Dead: Why Progressives Will Dominate the Next Political Era" (1996, Simon and Schuster) and "Stand Up, Fight Back: Republican Toughs, Democratic Wimps and the Politics of Revenge" (2004, Simon and Schuster).
He is a regular political analyst on National Public Radio, and is a frequent commentator on CNN and NBC's "Meet the Press."
In May 1996, Dionne joined the Brookings Institution as a senior fellow in the Governance Studies Program. He is also a senior advisor to The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, and a professor at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute.
Dionne grew up in Fall River, Mass. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1973, and received his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
The Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture was announced in January 2006, following a memorial service to the three-time presidential candidate at Saint John’s Abbey Church. McCarthy, a native of nearby Watkins, Minn., spent seven years as a student at Saint John's Preparatory School and University, and nearly one year as a member of the Benedictine community of Saint John's Abbey.
The annual public lecture will feature distinguished speakers who will address topics cherished by McCarthy – including politics, poetry, social and economic justice, constitutional reform, campaign finance and other pertinent public policy issues.
The lectureship will carry on McCarthy's deep commitment to the ideals and principles of democratic self-government. It will seek to inspire a new generation of young people to pursue fresh ideas, to challenge the status quo, to effect positive change in their communities and, like McCarthy himself, to lead with honesty, integrity and courage.
Former U.S. Senator David Durenberger speaks on “Health Care and Policy Challenges and Changes” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at Saint John’s University, Collegeville.
His speech is free and open to the public, and is part of the Dr. Martin and Rose Marie Schirber Lecture Series in Medical Ethics at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University – an annual event to provide information about health and medical issues.
Durenberger, who also plans to speak to several CSB/SJU classes Wednesday, March 28, is a 1955 graduate of Saint John’s. He represented Minnesota in the Senate from 1978-95.
Durenberger currently serves as Senior Health Policy Fellow at the University of St. Thomas. He founded and chairs the National Institute of Health Policy.
The NIHP is a not-for-profit membership organization comprised of health care, health plan and business leaders throughout the Upper Midwest. Its goal is to change the health care system from the inside out, and influence national policy health change.
While in the Senate, Durenberger served 16 years as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, plus six years as Health Subcommittee chair. He served eight years on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Durenberger is a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; the Kaiser Foundation Commission on the Future of Medicaid and the Uninsured; the National Committee on Quality Assurance; and the National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care. He is also the advisory board chair of the Medical Technology Leadership Forum.
In 2003, Durenberger was named by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to lead the Minnesota Citizens Forum on Health Care Costs. Durenberger is also the author of “Prescription for Change” and “Neither Madman Nor Messiahs: A Policy of National Security for America.”
Martin Schirber, a 1942 graduate of Saint John’s, served on the school’s board of directors and was a long-time physician in Grand Rapids, Minn. The lecture series was established in the early 1980s to help pre-medicine students at CSB and SJU examine everyday ethical issues.