CSB and SJU receive commitments of $10.3 million to establish Academic Centers

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.

White House internship

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:

• Sound academic credentials
• A demonstrated interest in public service
• Solid written and verbal communication skills
• A history of community involvement
• Strong character and leadership skills

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.

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge honored at annual Red Mass

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.

Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator

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.