Notable Alumnae & Awards

Alumna helps students aim for college
	A sign at the entrance of Adalante Prep reads "Climbing the mountain to college," and Heather Busch '07 is helping her fifth grade students do just that. The charter school in Minneapolis is the middle school offshoot of Hiawatha Academies, an elementary school aimed at helping students from low-income families achieve academic success. The school was ranked among the highest achieving high-poverty schools in 2011, based on Minnesota's new multiple measurement rating that takes into account how well impoverished and minority students perform and how much they improve over the year. Busch and the other teachers at Hiawatha and Adalante Prep teach an extended school day and are required to be available via their cell phones until 9 p.m. each evening in case students need help. The schools also have a longer academic year that results in 40 percent more instructional time for students. Busch is motivated to put in this extra time and effort because "with longer days, students are spending more time engaged in academic tasks that are getting them prepared for college and life as a happy, successful, good person." College is always on the minds of Busch's fifth grade students, as each classroom at Adalante takes on the identity of a college or university and is decorated with the school colors. Busch's students learn in a Saint Ben's and Saint John's themed homeroom. At the beginning of the year they learn about the school and were able to visit last year to get a glimpse of college life. "I think my experience at CSB shapes me every day as I work with my fifth graders," Busch said. "I want them to have a college experience like mine: meeting new people, taking risks, making mistakes, laughing, learning and growing. I want them to have all of the opportunities provided to them that I received from Saint Bens."

Alumna helps students aim for college

A sign at the entrance of Adalante Prep reads "Climbing the mountain to college," and Heather Busch '07 is helping her fifth grade students do just that. The charter school in Minneapolis is the middle school offshoot of Hiawatha Academies, an elementary school aimed at helping students from low-income families achieve academic success. The school was ranked among the highest achieving high-poverty schools in 2011, based on Minnesota's new multiple measurement rating that takes into account how well impoverished and minority students perform and how much they improve over the year.

Busch and the other teachers at Hiawatha and Adalante Prep teach an extended school day and are required to be available via their cell phones until 9 p.m. each evening in case students need help. The schools also have a longer academic year that results in 40 percent more instructional time for students. Busch is motivated to put in this extra time and effort because "with longer days, students are spending more time engaged in academic tasks that are getting them prepared for college and life as a happy, successful, good person."

College is always on the minds of Busch's fifth grade students, as each classroom at Adalante takes on the identity of a college or university and is decorated with the school colors. Busch's students learn in a Saint Ben's and Saint John's themed homeroom. At the beginning of the year they learn about the school and were able to visit last year to get a glimpse of college life.

"I think my experience at CSB shapes me every day as I work with my fifth graders," Busch said. "I want them to have a college experience like mine: meeting new people, taking risks, making mistakes, laughing, learning and growing. I want them to have all of the opportunities provided to them that I received from Saint Bens."

Alumna named president of Illinois College
	Barbara A. Edwards Farley '81 has been named the 14^th President of Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. She will begin her presidency July 1, 2013, replacing Axel D. Steuer, who will retire at the end of the academic year (May 2013). Farley is the second CSB alumna to be named president of a college in 2012. "My leadership of Illinois College will be grounded in the college's values of excellence, integrity, community, justice, service, respect and openness," Farley said in a statement released by Illinois College. "I offer an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, enrollment strength and financial vitality." CSB President MaryAnn Baenninger noted that the appointment is a testimony to Farley's leadership skill and her commitment to residential liberal arts education. "I am pleased to welcome her as a fellow president, and as an ally in sustaining the liberal arts and sciences. As a successful alumna, she serves as a great inspiration for our current students and Bennies to come." Farley graduated from CSB in 1981 with a degree in business administration. She earned her doctorate in strategic management and organizational behavior, and master of business administration degrees from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. According to the biography posted on the IC website, Farley states she "is a proud alumna of the College of Saint Benedict and credits her experiences at Benedictine institutions for instilling in her the values of listening, hospitality, justice, community living, stewardship and respect for all persons." She is currently vice president of academic affairs and dean at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., a role she has had since 2006. Prior to her current role at Augsburg, Farley was also academic dean/associate dean and associate professor of business administration at the college. She also served as academic dean and chief academic officer at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Penn. and as chair and graduate program director in the management department at The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. From 1985-94, Farley was an associate professor of management at CSB and SJU. Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college located in Jacksonville, Ill. with an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students.

Alumna named president of Illinois College

Barbara A. Edwards Farley '81 has been named the 14^th President of Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. She will begin her presidency July 1, 2013, replacing Axel D. Steuer, who will retire at the end of the academic year (May 2013).

Farley is the second CSB alumna to be named president of a college in 2012.

"My leadership of Illinois College will be grounded in the college's values of excellence, integrity, community, justice, service, respect and openness," Farley said in a statement released by Illinois College. "I offer an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, enrollment strength and financial vitality."

CSB President MaryAnn Baenninger noted that the appointment is a testimony to Farley's leadership skill and her commitment to residential liberal arts education. "I am pleased to welcome her as a fellow president, and as an ally in sustaining the liberal arts and sciences. As a successful alumna, she serves as a great inspiration for our current students and Bennies to come."

Farley graduated from CSB in 1981 with a degree in business administration. She earned her doctorate in strategic management and organizational behavior, and master of business administration degrees from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

According to the biography posted on the IC website, Farley states she "is a proud alumna of the College of Saint Benedict and credits her experiences at Benedictine institutions for instilling in her the values of listening, hospitality, justice, community living, stewardship and respect for all persons."

She is currently vice president of academic affairs and dean at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., a role she has had since 2006. Prior to her current role at Augsburg, Farley was also academic dean/associate dean and associate professor of business administration at the college. She also served as academic dean and chief academic officer at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Penn. and as chair and graduate program director in the management department at The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. From 1985-94, Farley was an associate professor of management at CSB and SJU.

Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college located in Jacksonville, Ill. with an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students.

Alumna nurse a "guadian angel" to patients
	Bethany Waletzko '11 was awarded the Guardian Angel award and the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses from Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D. for her compassionate care as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU). While caring for a stroke patient who was nearing death, Waletzko developed a connection with the patient's family over their shared faith. She was inspired to sew a pillow with an angel on it to give to the patient as something to hold onto while in the ICU because "there are times in life when one just needs a little something to hold onto," Waletzko said. After receiving the angel pillow, the patient's condition improved enough to be transferred out of the ICU. Waletzko approached her supervisors with the idea to incorporate the pillows throughout the unit, and they accepted her plan without hesitation. She continues to sew pillows for patients, and each one comes with a written prayer from Waletzko and a Bible verse. Waletzko says the Benedictine values and Catholic social teachings emphasized in the Saint Ben's nursing department are values she uses each day when caring for patients, and it is clear they feel the impact. Waletzko was nominated for both the DAISY award and the Guardian Angel award by the patient and family who receivedthe first angel pillow. "Being able to incorporate the angel pillows into the critical care unit brings me a sense of inner joy and honor," Waletzko said. "Right now, this is my mission work for God."

Alumna nurse a "guadian angel" to patients

Bethany Waletzko '11 was awarded the Guardian Angel award and the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses from Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D. for her compassionate care as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU).

While caring for a stroke patient who was nearing death, Waletzko developed a connection with the patient's family over their shared faith. She was inspired to sew a pillow with an angel on it to give to the patient as something to hold onto while in the ICU because "there are times in life when one just needs a little something to hold onto," Waletzko said.

After receiving the angel pillow, the patient's condition improved enough to be transferred out of the ICU. Waletzko approached her supervisors with the idea to incorporate the pillows throughout the unit, and they accepted her plan without hesitation. She continues to sew pillows for patients, and each one comes with a written prayer from Waletzko and a Bible verse.

Waletzko says the Benedictine values and Catholic social teachings emphasized in the Saint Ben's nursing department are values she uses each day when caring for patients, and it is clear they feel the impact. Waletzko was nominated for both the DAISY award and the Guardian Angel award by the patient and family who receivedthe first angel pillow.

"Being able to incorporate the angel pillows into the critical care unit brings me a sense of inner joy and honor," Waletzko said. "Right now, this is my mission work for God."

Alumna pursuing global career
	When Andrea Carrow '09 arrived back to her farming roots in Minnesota for Christmas 2011, her computer cord was European, her hair dryer had the incorrect voltage and her cell phone SIM cards were Spanish and South African. The realization that her electronics were not going to function at home was when she knew she was truly leading a global life. Carrow studied abroad three times during her years at Saint Ben's. She represented the school in Dubai and filmed documentaries in Guatemala and Chile as part of her role as founder of the nonprofit organization, Extending the Link. She worked in Mexico as a South American Development Lead for Fastenal after graduating from Saint Ben's. She went on to earn an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid and was also an Emzingo NexGen Fellow in South Africa, working as a management consultant on two African projects. Currently, Carrow works in global strategy planning at 3M, a career inspired by the foundation established by her experiences at Saint Ben's. "There are many fascinating elements to helping with 3M's strategic global planning, but some of my favorites include the wisdom and audacity of the 3M personnel," Carrow said. "They are seasoned in their roles yet drive impressively innovative strategies." Carrow's latest global adventure has been taking the month of September to utilize accumulated airline miles for personal travel in Singapore, India, Thailand and Indonesia. One of the highlights of her trip was completing the Rickshaw Rally, a treacherous cross-country race through India in a small, motorized rickshaw. Carrow is proof positive that the students and alumnae of Saint Ben's are active citizens of the world. Learn more about our global classroom in the September 2012 issue of Saint Benedict's Magazine.

Alumna pursuing global career

When Andrea Carrow '09 arrived back to her farming roots in Minnesota for Christmas 2011, her computer cord was European, her hair dryer had the incorrect voltage and her cell phone SIM cards were Spanish and South African. The realization that her electronics were not going to function at home was when she knew she was truly leading a global life.

Carrow studied abroad three times during her years at Saint Ben's. She represented the school in Dubai and filmed documentaries in Guatemala and Chile as part of her role as founder of the nonprofit organization, Extending the Link. She worked in Mexico as a South American Development Lead for Fastenal after graduating from Saint Ben's. She went on to earn an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid and was also an Emzingo NexGen Fellow in South Africa, working as a management consultant on two African projects.

Currently, Carrow works in global strategy planning at 3M, a career inspired by the foundation established by her experiences at Saint Ben's.

"There are many fascinating elements to helping with 3M's strategic global planning, but some of my favorites include the wisdom and audacity of the 3M personnel," Carrow said. "They are seasoned in their roles yet drive impressively innovative strategies."

Carrow's latest global adventure has been taking the month of September to utilize accumulated airline miles for personal travel in Singapore, India, Thailand and Indonesia. One of the highlights of her trip was completing the Rickshaw Rally, a treacherous cross-country race through India in a small, motorized rickshaw.

Carrow is proof positive that the students and alumnae of Saint Ben's are active citizens of the world. Learn more about our global classroom in the September 2012 issue of Saint Benedict's Magazine.

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