New members named to SJU Board of Regents

09/28/2009

Saint John’s University recently named James Sexton; Anton (Tony) J. Christianson; Br. David Klingeman, OSB; the Rev. Mark Thamert, OSB; the Rev. Michael Naughton, OSB; and the Rev. Jerome Tupa, OSB to its Board of Regents. Noreen Herzfeld is the new faculty regent and Kamau Joseph is the new student regent.

Sexton, a 1981 graduate of SJU, is president and founder of Sexton Benefit Resources, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Sexton has a bachelor’s degree in social science and business management from SJU. Prior to opening his own employee benefit practice in 2002, he was vice president of sales and marketing for Celtic Health Plans in Chicago, and regional district manager for Old Northwest Agent, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Sexton rejoins the Board of Regents after serving from 2000-08. He lives in La Grange, Ill., with his two children.

Christianson, a 1974 graduate of SJU, is chairman and managing partner of Cherry Tree Companies in Minneapolis. Christianson has spent more than 27 years in the venture capital and private equity communities in a variety of capacities. Christianson received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from SJU, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He has served on the board of directors of over 40 companies. He and his wife, Paige, have six children and reside in Wayzata, Minn. 

Klingeman is director of the Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse and the abbey archivist. Klingeman has a bachelor’s degree in music from Wartburg College and a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College. He completed post-graduate studies in archival administration at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Klingeman was the SJU archivist from 1996-2006. He has been a member of the Abbey since 1980.

Thamert, a 1973 graduate of SJU, is an associate professor of German at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Thamert received both his bachelor’s degree in German and master of divinity degree from Saint John’s. He earned his doctorate from Princeton University. Thamert was headmaster of Saint John's Preparatory School from 1994-98. He has led more than 20 groups of undergraduate students on study abroad programs at CSB and SJU. He entered the monastery in 1973 and was ordained a priest in 1979. Thamert rejoined the board after serving from 1984-91.

Naughton is serving a one-year term on the Board of Regents. A 1962 graduate of SJU, Naughton professed vows at Saint John's Abbey in 1960 and was ordained a priest in 1966. He has his advanced degree in psychology. Naughton directed the Liturgical Press for several years and initiated the Press's ongoing, successful participation in the annual Frankfurt (Germany) Book Fair. Naughton is currently prior at Collegio di Sant'Anselmo in Rome, Italy, and will be returning to Minnesota to become pastor at Seven Dolors Parish in Albany.

Tupa, a 1969 graduate of SJU, is chaplain of SJU and director of the recently opened McKeown Center on campus. Tupa received a master’s and doctorate in French literature from the Sorbonne in Paris. Tupa has been a monk of Saint John's Abbey since 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1982. Tupa taught French at CSB and SJU from 1971-2003. Much of his work has consisted of directing study abroad programs in France, Italy, Greece and the Middle East. In 2004, he was named Artist in Residence at Saint John’s with exhibits in many American and European cities. His latest series of art shows were displayed in museums in California, Florida, Washington, D.C. and New York City. From 2005-09, Tupa was SJU director of campus ministry.

Herzfeld is a professor of theology and computer science at CSB and SJU. She holds master’s degrees in computer science and mathematics from Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Union. Herzfeld is the author of numerous books and articles on diverse topics such as cyberspace as a venue for spiritual experience, and the prospects for reconciliation among Christians and Muslims in Bosnia. 

Joseph is a SJU junior political science and computer science double major from Trinidad and Tobago. During a year off after high school, Joseph took interest in the United Nations Association of Trinidad and Tobago and later helped co-found the first youth United Nations Association in his country. At SJU, he is involved with Student Senate, the Joint Events Council and the Cultural Affairs Board.

Each began their term on the board July 1. Their terms are renewable every three years, and board members can serve up to three terms (nine years). The faculty and student regents each have one-year terms on the board. There are now 44 members on the Board of Regents.