• About the Center
  • Our Mission
• Alumnae/i
• Brandl Scholars
• Edward L. Henry Professorship
• Event & Video Archives
• 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 Brittany Werner

Hometown: Hastings, Minnesota

High School: Hastings High School

Year: Senior

Major: Political Science

What I'm reading: Swamplandia

Favorite TV Show: Tossup between 30 Rock and Arrested Development

Random thing people don't know: One time I fell down two consecutive flights of stairs after tripping on...paper. I tripped on a flat piece of paper.

Student Coordinator Dan Wolgamott

Hometown: Elkhorn, Nebraska

High School: Elkhorn High School

Year: Junior

Major: Political Science/Hispanic Studies

Study Abroad: Guatemala

Current occupation: Bartender at Sal's in St. Joseph

What I'm reading: The Sneetches and Other Stories

Favorite TV Show: Sports Center

Random thing people don't know: I own a wooden loon named Sparky

Student Coordinator Drew Stommes

Hometown: Eden Valley, Minnesota

High School: Eden Valley - Watkins

Year: Junior

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: Junior

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 Kate Paul

Hometown: Arden Hills, Minnesota

High School: Totino Grace High School

Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science

What I'm reading: re-reading the Harry Potter series

Favorite TV Show: Lie to Me

Random thing people don't know: I have an obsession with Michael Jackson and his music

Student Coordinator Melissa DeOrio

Hometown: Boulder, Colorado

High School: Highlands Ranch High School

Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science

Favorite TV Show: Dexter and Madmen

Random thing people don't know: I am in my 15th year playing violin.