New members named to CSB Board of Trustees

10/03/2007

Four women have been named to the College of Saint Benedict Board of Trustees.

All four are graduates of the college. They are Joyce Statz ('69), Annette Bouta Hendrick (’71), Barbara Torborg Melsen (’78) and Shelly Bauerly Kopel  (’90).

In addition, Kathleen Cooney has been named chair of the board, and Delthia McKinney, a CSB junior from Yamacraw Shores, Nassau, the Bahamas, is the new student representative on the board.

Statz received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from CSB, and master’s and doctorate degrees in systems and information science from Syracuse University. Most recently, Statz has served as an independent consultant working with corporations to improve their capabilities in project management, software development, measurement, outsourcing and related areas of focus. She has served as a technology executive at such companies as Borland Software Corporation (Austin, Texas); Teraquest Metrics, Inc. (Austin, Texas) and Texas Instruments (Austin, Texas). She also taught computer science at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. She lives in Austin.

Bouta Hendrick graduated from CSB with a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics, and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. She spent 25 years in management in the telecommunications sector in network and technology planning, and new technology and markets assessment, with responsibilities across 14 states. Bouta Hendrick has served as vice president and member of the board of the Las Cruces (N.M.) Symphony Association; president of the Butterfield I Neighborhood Council; and co-chair of Jardin de los Ninos, an annual fund-raiser. A native of Benson, Minn., she lives in Las Cruces.

Melsen graduated from CSB with a bachelor of arts degree in accounting. Most recently, she was self-employed in the accounting area. She volunteers regularly as a board member and fund-raiser for such organizations as CommonBond Communities (Minnesota’s largest non-profit provider of affordable housing), Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, United Way, Junior League of Minneapolis, Hennepin Vocational and Technical Institute’s Advisory Board, CARE (Children’s Cancer Research) and the Minneapolis League of Catholic Women. Melsen has served as CSB’s Alumnae Council president and chaired several fund-raising committees for the college. Her oldest daughter, Kristin, graduated from CSB in 2005, and her younger daughter, Michelle, is a senior at CSB. She lives in Bloomington, Minn.

Bauerly Kopel majored in math and computer science at CSB. She also received a master’s degree in business administration from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota; a master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education; and a doctorate degree in educational administration from the University of Minnesota. She currently is the managing partner of Venture Allies, LLC, St. Cloud. From 1992-2000, she held various positions at the Carlson School of Management, including program director. She taught math at Elk River (Minn.) High School from 1990-92. She lives in Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Each began serving a three-year term on the board July 1. Their terms are renewable every three years, and board members can serve up to three terms (nine years). There are now 43 members of the Board of Trustees.

Cooney has served on the CSB Board of Trustees since 2000. She is the executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer at HealthPartners, Bloomington, Minn. Prior to her work for HealthPartners, she served as a management consultant specializing in health care strategies at Ernst and Whinney (now known as Ernst and Young). She was named an “Industry Leader” by Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal in its special “Women in Business” section July 27. Cooney is also one of four finalists in the nonprofit/healthcare category in the inaugural “CFO of the Year Awards” sponsored by the Business Journal, which will be presented Oct. 31 in Minneapolis.

Board chairs are elected and serve three-year terms. Cooney replaces Edward Kocourek, who completed his term as chair but remains on the board.