SJU alumnus and Professor of Public Policy John Brandl '59 dies

John Brandl, a 1959 graduate of Saint John’s University and a former Minnesota legislator, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict, and professor and former dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, passed away Monday, Aug. 18 in Minneapolis. Brandl was also a regent at Saint John's University from 1991-2000.

"The Saint John's community is saddened by the death of alumnus, colleague, former Regent and beloved friend John Brandl," said Br. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president of Saint John's University. "John Brandl was a giant in Minnesota politics and economics. He combined a brilliant mind for scholarship with an unusual ability to apply theory and research as a public servant in numerous policy-making positions, both in Minnesota and at the national level. He had an abiding faith in the capacity of Benedictine values to foster decency, integrity and generosity. The wisdom and balance John demonstrated throughout his life provide enduring inspiration for all."

Brandl graduated cum laude from Saint John’s with a degree in economics and went on to earn a M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. He served in the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of Economic Opportunity, the Economic Development Administration, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He served 12 years in the Minnesota Legislature.

Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 5000 W. 50th and Highway 100, Edina, Minn. The funeral is at noon Monday, Aug. 25 at the Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, with Fr. Michael O’Connell officiating. Burial is 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery, with a reception following in the Great Hall for friends, faculty and staff to greet the family.

"John Brandl Scholars" Endowed

“John Brandl’s accomplishments as educator, legislator and civic leader serve as a model for all of us,” said Dan Whalen ’70. “I can think of no better way to honor him than to encourage today’s students to learn from his example through the John Brandl Scholars program.”

Dan and Katharine Whalen have designated $1 million from their gift to the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy & Civic Engagement to endow the John Brandl Scholars program.



John E. Brandl is a 1959 graduate of Saint John’s. The John Brandl Scholars program celebrates Brandl's lifelong commitment to mentorship and scholarship in higher education, public policy and politics. The endowment will fund summer public policy research projects conducted by students and faculty. These collaborative research projects will range from local to international policy arenas, reflecting Dr. Brandl's diverse career and CSB/SJU’s commitment to ethical leadership and the common good. The Brandl Scholars will participate in a broad range of experiential learning opportunities under close faculty mentorship.

Brandl graduated cum laude from Saint John’s and earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Harvard University. He was Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at Saint John’s University and professor and former dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Brandl held positions at the federal level in the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of Economic Opportunity, the Economic Development Administration, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He served in the Minnesota Legislature for 12 years. In addition to faculty positions at alma maters Saint John’s University and Harvard University, he held teaching positions at Boston College, the University of Wisconsin, the University of the Philippines and the University of Sydney. He served as president of several national and regional groups and received many civic honors and awards. Brandl was the author of numerous books, monographs, articles and reviews.

Saint John’s welcomes contributions to the John Brandl Scholars endowment. Please contact John Taylor at 320.363.2596 or jtaylor@csbsju.edu.

Alumni and student event in D.C. a success

A celebration of the first year of the McCarthy Center was held on June 26, 2008 in Washington, D.C. This event brought the 2008 Washington interns and Alumni/ae & Friends of the McCarthy Center together to celebrate and network.
Group with Senator Tom Daschle, former Senate Majority Leader, current national co-chair of Obama 08, co-chair of Bono's One Campaign, author of Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis
Lisa Spoden ('83), reception co-host, Senior Partner and Executive VP of Strategic Health Care and new member of CSB Board of Trustees, talking with Mary Winzenberg, CSB '06, with the National Assn. of Attorneys General, and Erik Anderson, current SJU student and intern at Rep. Ellison's office
Al Eisele ('58), editor at large, The Hill, McCarthy Center 2008 Scholar in Residence, discussing his residency at the 2008 First Annual Washington DC McCarthy Center reception
CSB students and DC interns Laura Johnson (intern at David Turch and Associates) and Jessica Vining (intern at Dutko Worldwide) along with other CSB and SJU alums at the reception
Charles Howell, son-in-law of Senator McCarthy, husband of Ellen McCarthy-Howell with CSB and SJU alums and students at the reception
Dan Whalen ('70), former SJU Board Chair, benefactor of McCarthy Center, with Hon. John Lindstrom ('63), and David Turch ('63) reception co-chair and founder of David Turch and Associates at the reception

Washington D.C. intern update

Sean Suter, SJU '10, is one of thirteen CSB/SJU students to participate in the Washington D.C. Summer Program. Continue to follow the McCarthy Center website for updates, pictures, and stories from the summer interns.

Senator Obama and Sean Suter

Senator Obama's summer intern group