College of Saint Benedict celebrating two legends Aug. 19

The lives and contributions of two legendary College of Saint Benedict presidents will be celebrated from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Benedicta Arts Center of the College of Saint Benedict.

S. Colman O'Connell, OSB and S. Emmanuel Renner, OSB - or rather Mary Dolores O'Connell of Roberts, Wis., and Audrey Renner of Walker, Minn. - entered CSB as new students in the fall of 1945. There were less than 300 students enrolled at the college at the time, and O'Connell was elected student body president.

Both women joined Saint Benedict's Monastery, earned graduate degrees, taught at their alma mater, and eventually became president of the college. Renner served as president from 1979-86, followed by O'Connell from 1986-96.

During their combined 17 years as president, the college increased its enrollment to 2,000 students, enhanced its unique collaborative arrangement with Saint John's University, built nine new buildings and renovated five others, raised $37.5 million in two capital campaigns and conferred over 7,500 degrees to students who were increasingly well-qualified and majored in an ever-wider range of subjects.

"Without the tireless work and fierce enthusiasm of Sisters Emmanuel and Colman, the College of Saint Benedict would not be the premiere Catholic, liberal arts institution for women that it is today," said MaryAnn Baenninger, president of CSB. "I look forward to celebrating their innumerable contributions to CSB with the many others they have educated, mentored and inspired."

The celebration will include food catered by acclaimed chef Jack Riebel of the Dakota Restaurant in Minneapolis, musical entertainment and a brief program.