Bonner Leader Program welcomes 11 CSB and SJU students

Each year, the Bonner Leader Program at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University inducts new members committed to civic engagement, international perspective and community building. This fall, 11 first-year students at CSB and SJU have been welcomed into the program.

These 11 students join 23 sophomores, juniors and seniors in the program at CSB/SJU. Prior to arriving on campus, Bonners made improving their own communities a priority. As part of their four-year commitment to the program, students will focus on improving the St. Joseph, St. Cloud and CSB/SJU communities through work at their respective sites.

Working as youth guidance counselors for the Kennedy Kidstop program are Taylor Fournier, a nursing major from Andover, Minnesota; Annie Johnson, an environmental studies and nursing double major from St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Shauna Lynch Slavin, a biology major from Maple Grove, Minnesota Volunteers are responsible for planning and leading a variety of activities with youth ages 5 to 18 in Boys and Girls Club programming. 

Allie Kanyetzny, a nursing major from Ramsey, Minnesota, works as the student coordinator for the Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent program. Kanyetzny is responsible for recruitment of new Foster Grandparent volunteers, conducting research to determine community needs, maintaining records and other office management.

Working as tutors with the America Reads program are Meaghan Keaveny, a psychology major from Edina, Minnesota, and Kenedy Meyer, an accounting major from Melrose, Minnesota Tutors strive to strengthen and expand the CSB/SJU America Reads program and work with local businesses and the public library in developing programs to enhance literacy skills in the community.

Megan Kocer, an elementary education and Hispanic studies double major from Wagner, South Dakota, works as the program coordinator for the Catholic Charities Bel Clare program. Kocer is matched with one student or a small group of students to assist with reading and other homework.

Working as campus ministers with CSB Campus Ministry: Spirituality and Social Justice are Jamie McCarthy, an elementary education and English double major from Windsor Heights, Iowa, and Skylar Peyton, an undecided major from West Point, Nebraska. Student ministers are responsible for office management and for improvement of the Spirituality and Social Justice ministry team through discussion.

Aaron Wildenborg, a physics major from Red Wing, Minnesota, works as a student naturalist for Saint John's Outdoor University. Wildenborg assists with K-12 environmentally-focused field trips as well as the planning and implementing of various Arboretum events.

Maggie Wothe, a psychology major from Frazee, Minnesota, serves as the resource development worker at United Way. Wothe works to find creative approaches to community solutions in the areas of basic needs and education.

Started by Corella and Bertram F. Bonner, the Bonner Leader Program focuses on providing college students with resources to serve their communities while developing themselves as leaders. Their mission is to improve the lives of individuals and communities by helping meet the basic needs of nutrition and educational opportunity.

Over 85 different colleges and universities in over 22 states have a Bonner Program implemented on their campuses, awarding scholarships to more than 2,500 students.