• About the Center
  • Our Mission
• Alumnae/i
• Brandl Scholars
• Edward L. Henry Professorship
• Events Calendar
• Events Video Archive
• Joseph P. Farry Professorship
• The Mark Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom Lecture Series...
• The Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture
• McCarthy Residency
• Mentor Program
• News
• "Polidazzle"
• Politics and a Pint
• Red Mass
• Student Resources
• Study Tours
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Who is Eugene J. McCarthy...

About the Center

The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, created in honor of the late Senator and St. John's  graduate, fosters dialogue and involvement regarding politics, values, and public policy. The McCarthy Center facilitates opportunities for creative and integrated learning through programming and experiential learning on and off campus.

In this day and age of "Crossfire" political reasoning and us/them political rhetoric, many young people are unfortunately steering away from political engagement. As a result, the faculty and core group of students from the Center work diligently to create venues for constructive, responsible and interesting civic debate and engagement in community affairs.  Through events, conferences, lectures and social gatherings, the McCarthy Center gives students unique learning experiences

View our brochure for more information.

Director Matt Lindstrom

Matt Lindstrom is the Edward L. Henry Professor of Political Science at St. John's University/College of St. Benedict and the Director of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement at St. John's University.  He also serves as Co-Director for the CSB/SJU Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program and Co-Director for the College of St. Benedict Jackson Fellows Program

He edited Encyclopedia of the U.S. Government and the Environment: History, Policy, and Politics, (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011).  He co-authored The National Environmental Policy Act: Judicial Misconstruction, Legislative Indifference, and Executive Neglect, (Texas A & M University Press, 2001) and co-edited Suburban Sprawl: Culture, Ecology, and Politics (Rowan and Littlefield, 2003).  Lindstrom's interest in experiential learning resulted in an essay titled, "What's a Bus Ticket Got to do with my Political Science Class" which won a "Best Paper Award" from the American Political Science Association.

Prior to starting at CSB/SJU in 2005, Lindstrom taught at Siena College outside of Albany, NY for eight years.  At Siena College he chaired the Political Science department for two years, and together with his wife, Amy Braig-Lindstrom, also created the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market (www.troymarket.org), a year-around entity with over 70 vendors.

Born in Willmar, MN, Matt graduated with a BA in Government from St. John's University and in 1997 Matt received a Ph. D. in Political Science (with distinction) from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.  Matt and Amy are parents of Isaac and Anna Lindstrom as well as two dogs and three cats.

Coordinator Stacy Penk

Stacy Penk is the Coordinator of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center.  She was hired to fill the newly created McCarthy Center "coordinator" position in January of 2009.  She is a 1995 graduate of the College of Saint Benedict.

Stacy is also the Chair of the Litchfield Area Empower, Women United in Philanthropy.  This group is committed to the early education of children through its early learning initiatives and its focus on parent support and education.

She and her husband Derek Penk live in Litchfield with their three children.

Student Coordinator Drew Stommes

Hometown: Eden Valley, Minnesota

High School: Eden Valley - Watkins

Year: Senior

Major: Political Science

Study Abroad: India (Spring 2012)

What I'm reading: Taming American Power by Stephen Walt

Favorite TV Show: Dexter

Random thing people don't know: I have 56 aunts and uncles and over 100 first cousins.

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Student Coordinator Alex Ricci

Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota

High School: Hill-Murray High School

Year: Senior

Major: Political Science             Minor: Economics

Study Abroad: Galway, Ireland Fall of 2011

What I'm reading: Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne From Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by Stephen B. Ambrose

Favorite TV Show: Friends

Random thing people don't know: I have worn glasses since kindergarten.

Student Coordinator Melissa DeOrio

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

High School: Highlands Ranch High School

Year: Junior

Major: Political Science

Study Abroad: London, England Spring of 2012

What I'm Reading:Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Favorite TV Show: Dexter and Madmen

Random thing people don't know: This is my 16th year playing the violin.

Student Coordinator Drew Breyer

Hometown: Minnetrista, MN

High School: Benilde-St. Margarets

Year: Senior

Major: Communication

Study Abroad: Rome/Greece and Internship Abroad in Hong Kong

Reading: Rules for Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky

Favorite TV Show: West Wing

Random thing people don't know: I alphabetize my bookshelf

Student Coordinator Lindsey Gideon

Hometown: Park City, Utah

High School: Park City High School

Year in college: Senior

Major: Biology    Minor: Communication

Study Abroad and other experiences abroad: Extending The Link triop to Bosnia and Herzegovina and a Women's Leadership Conference in the United Arab Emirates; many other personal travel opportunities

Currently reading: "Mountains beyond Mountains"

Favorite TV show: Scrubs or House

Random thing people don't know: I have ridden horses since the age of 4. I competed in 3-day eventing for 9 years. My horse's name is Cosette.