Two boards, same people, working together.

Trustees listed are members of both the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University boards of trustees. In a unique arrangement called strong integration, the college and university are two separate entities with individual boards (made up of the same people), a single president and an integrated administrative team.

Gretchen Agee

Vice President, Asset Management Administration
Thrivent
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Gretchen Agee is vice president of asset management administration at Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, where she has worked since 2013. Agee has an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Agee previously practiced law as an attorney at Dorsey and Whitney and as a law clerk to the Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. She served on the board at Saint John’s Preparatory School from 2006-16. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Corie Barry ’97

Chief Executive Officer
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Richfield, Minnesota

Corie Barry began her career with Best Buy Co., Inc. in 1999 and is currently the company’s chief executive officer. She previously served on the CSB alumnae board and delivered the 2017 CSB commencement address. Barry graduated from CSB summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and management, and later earned a CPA certificate. Barry and her husband Martin, an SJU alumnus, have two children and live in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Dennis Beach ’78, OSB

Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Br. Dennis has been a faculty member at Saint John’s University since 1995, having taught previously at Pennsylvania State University and Saint John’s Preparatory School. He has been active as a faculty resident at Saint John’s University, as chair of the Justice and Peace Committee of Saint John’s Abbey, and with Latino-Latin American issues both in Central Minnesota and in Central America. Br. Dennis professed monastic vows to Saint John’s Abbey in 1982. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cycling, cooking and rooting for the Chicago Cubs.

Scott Becker ’77

Advisory Partner
Northstar Capital LLC
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Scott Becker earned a bachelor’s degree in history from SJU, a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor at William Mitchell College of Law. He is a founder and advisory partner at Northstar Capital, where he previously served as managing partner. Becker also has experience in investment management, corporate development and small business loan origination. He and his wife Julie live in North Oaks, Minnesota. Two of their children graduated from CSB+SJU.

Ed Bonach ’76

Retired CEO
CNO Financial Group
Carmel, IN

Ed Bonach earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a Business Administration minor from SJU. He has over 40 years’ experience in the financial services and insurance industries. Ed and his wife Peggy have two children who are Bennie and Johnnie graduates, and currently lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Barbara Brandes

CEO
Lumber One, Avon Inc.
Avon, Minnesota

Barbara Brandes is the chief executive officer of Lumber One, Avon, Inc. She served of chair of the CSB Board of Trustees from 2019-22. Brandes graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration – accounting. Brandes and her husband Charles live in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Brandes’ two children, her parents, her sister and her brother all graduated from CSB or SJU.

Mary Dombovy ’77, MD, MHSA

VP and Chair, Neurosciences
Rochester Regional Health
Rochester, New York

Dr. Mary Dombovy is a physician specializing in neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation. She is employed at Rochester Regional Health System in Rochester, New York, as both chair and vice president of Neurosciences Service Line. She is also vice president of neurosurgery, neurology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rochester Regional Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the College of Saint Benedict in 1977, and a medical degree from Mayo Medical School 1981. Dombovy completed her internship in internal medicine from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1981. She was a Neurology Resident at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1985, and a rehabilitation medicine resident at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1987. She earned a Master of Health Systems Administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2001. Dombovy lives in Webster, New York, and has three adult children.

Sandy Pfefferle Forster ’82

Owner
Little Pepper Promotions
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sandy Pfefferle Forster has held numerous positions as a writer, editor and communications director before launching her promotional branding company, little pepper promotions, in November 2009 in Minneapolis. Forster and her husband David (SJU ’83) live in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Forster’s three sons, her three brothers, and her sister all graduated from CSB or SJU.

Philip Galanis ’75

Managing Partner
HLB Galanis and Company
Nassau, Bahamas

Philip C. Galanis earned a bachelor’s degree from SJU and an MBA from Rutgers University in 1978. He is managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co, chartered accountants, forensic and litigation support services. He served 15 years in the Parliament of The Bahamas, and previously served as the chairman of The Bahamas Trade Commission and the country's lead negotiator for admission to the World Trade Organization. He and his wife Tonya Bastian live in Nassau, Bahamas.

Michaela Hedican, OSB

Director of Mission Advancement
Chair, CSB Corporate Member
Trustee, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Michaela Hedican, OSB, is a former Prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery (St. Joseph, Minnesota), former Prioress of Saint Bede’s Monastery (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) and former president of the Federation of St. Benedict. Hedican is a graduate of the College of Saint Scholastica and holds master’s degrees in religious education and theology. She was named one of the outstanding Catholics of the Year 2016 by Our Sunday Visitor.

Nickolas Kleespie ’06, OSB, SOT/Sem ’15

Trustee, CSB and SJU Boards
Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Fr. Nick Kleespie, OSB, was born and raised in West-Central Minnesota. After graduating from Saint John’s University in 2006, Nick served with the Saint John’s Abbey Benedictine Volunteer Corps in Tanzania. Since entering the Abbey in 2009, Fr. Nick has completed his Master of Divinity at the Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. Fr. Nick is the chaplain of Saint John’s University, lives as a faculty resident in a first-year residence hall and serves as a firefighter/EMT on the Saint John’s Fire Department.

Nina Lasceski, OSB

Planned Gift Specialist
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Nina Lasceski, OSB, works in mission advancement at Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree in pastoral ministry from Assumption University in Canada. Before entering religious life, she worked in broadcasting, the call center industry, and as a commissioned lay minister. She is a member of the Great River Chorale in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Joan Lescinski, CSJ

President Emerita
St. Ambrose University
Davenport, Iowa

Sister Joan Lescinski served as the 13th president of St. Ambrose University, the first woman to lead the university in its history, taking office in the summer of 2007 and retiring after 14 years in August of 2021. Lescinski is a native of Albany, NY, where she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet (CSJ) at the age of 18. She earned her undergraduate degree in English, and a master’s in English Literature from the College of St. Rose, and her Ph.D. in British Literature from Brown University.

Rev. William Lies ’84, CSC

Provincial Superior
Congregation of Holy Cross
United States Province of Priests and Brothers
South Bend, Indiana

As provincial superior, Fr. Bill oversees the work and welfare of more than 500 priests, brothers, and seminarians in the US Province, which also includes apostolates such as Ave Maria Press, and missions in East Africa, Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Prior to his election as provincial superior, Lies served as vice president for mission engagement and church affairs at Notre Dame. In that role, he acted as liaison for Notre Dame to the Congregation of Holy Cross, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Holy See. Lies also oversaw the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and minors in French and Philosophy from Saint John’s University, a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame, and Ph.D. in Latin American politics from the University of Pittsburgh.

Michele L. Martin

President
Lurie Wealth Advisors, LLC
Minneapolis, Minnesota

As president of Lurie Wealth Advisors, Michele Martin oversees the design and delivery of integrated wealth management and financial solutions for business owners, executives and their families. Prior to joining Lurie, she gained extensive financial services and managerial experience with over 25 years in the banking industry. She received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College and an MBA from Drake University. She and her husband, Bob, live in Plymouth, Minnesota. Their two sons graduated from SJU.

Brian McGrane ’93

Former EVP & CFO of Business Units
Ameriprise Financial
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Brian McGrane has spent his entire career in the investment and wealth management, insurance and banking industries. He currently serves as an independent board director of Thrivent Financial. McGrane graduated from SJU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and earned his CPA. Brian and his wife Katy Deignan McGrane (’93) live in Bloomington, Minnesota. They have four children, including a Bennie and a Johnnie.

Greg Melsen ’74

Self-employed consultant and retired CFO
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Greg Melsen has over 40 years of business experience, primarily in accounting and finance, including 19 years in public accounting with Deloitte, nine of those as a partner. Melsen earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint John’s University and is a CPA. He and his wife Barb (’78 and a former CSB trustee) reside in Minneapolis. Melsen’s four children all graduated from CSB and SJU.

Bennett Morgan ’85

Retired President & COO
Polaris Industries
Excelsior, Minnesota

Morgan retired in 2016 as president and chief operating officer of Polaris Industries Inc. He joined Polaris in 1987, and led in various marketing, product development, operations and management roles before becoming president in 2005. Morgan earned a bachelor’s degree from SJU and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. He and his wife Sharon have three children and live in Excelsior, Minnesota.

Lynn Myhran ’89

Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Administrative Officer
SPS Commerce
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lynn Myhran is the senior vice president, chief human resources officer and chief administrative officer for SPS Commerce in Minneapolis. Prior to joining SPS in 2020, she was an executive at Optum, the health services business of UnitedHealth Group. She is a seasoned human resources executive with over 30 years of global experience. She has served Saint Ben’s as a reunion ambassador and as a past class reunion volunteer. She graduated from CSB with a Bachelor of Arts in management. Myhran and her husband Anders live in Orono, Minnesota.

Tom Nicol ’91

Managing Partner
Excelsior Benefits, LLC
Excelsior, Minnesota

Tom Nicol is President and CEO of Excelsior Insurance Brokerage, a subsidiary company of United HealthCare. Excelsior is a wholesale general agency servicing brokers throughout the US. Nicol joined the company in 1992 and has held various sales management roles throughout his career at Excelsior and predecessor companies. Nicol graduated from Saint John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in management in 1991. He and his wife Elizabeth live in Deephaven, Minnesota and have one daughter.

Marilyn J. Porter

Director of Engineering & Facilities
Metropolitan Council/Metro Transit
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Marilyn Porter is the director of engineering and facilities at the Metropolitan Council/Metro Transit. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in architectural studies from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Science degree in construction management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and an MBA from St. Thomas University. Porter and her husband Roderic Bolen live in St. Paul, Minnesota, and have one son.

Edgar C. “Chip” Ray ’82

Retired CEO
Catamaran Solutions
Woodland, Minnesota

Edgar “Chip” Ray recently retired from the role of chief executive officer of Catamaran, a construction and maintenance company serving the hydrocarbon and energy sectors. Prior to joining Catamaran, he was president of CB&I’s Capital Services operating group from 2013-17. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from SJU and an MBA from Duke University. Ray and his wife Brenda Ann Zimmerman Ray ’82 live in The Woodlands, Texas, and Woodland, Minnesota. They have three children, one of whom is an SJU alumnus.

Mary Reuter ’60, OSB

Professor Emerita, Theology
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Mary Reuter received a bachelor’s degree from CSB and a doctorate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She served as a professor of theology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University from 1981-2014, serving as chair of the department from 1983-89. Upon her retirement from teaching, she was given the honor of professor emerita in theology. Reuter also served as prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota, from 1989-95.

David H. Roberts

Retired Senior Vice President and President, U.S. Market
Medtronic, Inc.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

David Roberts had been employed in various roles at Medtronic, Inc. since 1984, and retired as the senior vice president and president, U.S. Market in July 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University, and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Roberts and his wife Susan live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. They have three daughters, all of whom graduated from Saint Ben’s. Two of their three sons-in-law graduated from Saint John’s University.

Carol Morrow Schleif, CFA, FSA

Deputy Chief Investment Officer
BMO Family Office
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Carol Morrow Schleif is the deputy chief investment Officer for BMO Family Office where she leads the team of fiduciary portfolio managers focused on bringing a full suite of services to aid the Bank’s Ultra High Net Worth Clients in the creation and management of complex multi-generational portfolios. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in business and equestrian science from William Woods University, and an MBA from Hamline University. Schleif and her husband Steven Schleif live in Buffalo, Minnesota. They have four children.

Daniel L. Scott

Attorney
St. Paul, Minnesota

Daniel Scott is a business development entrepreneur and attorney. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Augustana College and his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law. Scott previously served as a trial attorney and law partner at Larson King, LLP, and Stinson LLP. He is the past vice chair of the CSB Board of Trustees. Scott and his wife Suzi live with their two daughters in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Aelred Senna, OSB

Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Br. Aelred earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Dallas and currently serves as publisher of Give Us This Day at Liturgical Press. He was a Class A Member (SJU Corporate Member) from 2012-18; SJU Faculty Resident, 2014-21; and co-director of the SJU Benedictine Living-Learning Community through SJU Residential Life 2014-20. He also served for eight years as a member of the board of trustees for Hill-Murray School, Maplewood, Minnesota. Br. Aelred professed solemn vows to Saint John’s Abbey in 2011. He enjoys baking, cooking, spinning and knitting.

Kelly Skalicky

CEO and President
Stearns Bank, NA
St. Cloud, Minnesota

Kelly Skalicky is the CEO and President of Stearns Bank in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She practiced law in Minneapolis, Chicago and New York before joining the banking industry. Since 2004, Skalicky has served on the board of directors and as president for CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital’s Clara’s Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of women and children struggling with mental health and addiction. Skalicky received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law.

Gregory J. Soukup ’72

Chairman
Warrior Mfg., LLC
Hutchinson Minnesota

Greg Soukup is a retired Ernst & Young partner. He is chairman of Warrior Mfg., LLC, a metal fabrication firm in Hutchinson, Minnesota, that he owns with his brother. He graduated from Saint John’s University and holds law degrees from the University of Minnesota and Georgetown University. Soukup is a past member of the SJU Alumni Association. He and his wife, Mary Jo Carr, have homes in Naples, Florida, and Plymouth, Minnesota.

LeAnne Matthews Stewart ’87

Founder and CEO
LeAnne Company, LLC
Fort Myers, Florida

LeAnne Stewart has more than 30 years of multi-industry finance experience and leading transformational change. She graduated from CSB with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and earned her MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. In 2012, she received the Sister Emmanuel Renner Award for her service to Saint Ben’s as a leader, steward and volunteer.

Mary Thompson

Managing Director
G100 Network
New York, New York

Mary Thompson is a managing director at G100 where she co-leads the executive education program for corporate directors. A former financial journalist, Thompson spent a combined 26 years at Bloomberg and CNBC covering a wide range of issues and industries including banking and insurance. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Notre Dame and her master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University. She and her husband Bruce reside in Boston.

Edwin Torres ’16

Vice President of Public Affairs
NewPublica, LLC
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Edwin Torres serves as vice president of public affairs at NewPublica, LLC where his strategic expertise is instrumental in shaping effective political initiatives. An accomplished political strategist, Torres has a proven track record in successful electoral and issue campaigns spanning local, state and national levels. He has been recognized by national organizations for his work and commitment to helping others and his DACA story has been featured in various publications including the New York Times.A 2016 graudate of Saint John’s University, Torres is pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Jona Van Deun ’92

Managing Partner
Prairie Coast Strategies, LLC
Omaha, Nebraska

Jona Van Deun is Managing Partner with Prairie Coast Strategies, LLC advising clients on grassroots, government & public affairs, and large event logistics/production projects around the country. Prior to her current position, she worked for nearly two decades in various roles in government relations and public affairs. She most recently served as President of the Nebraska Tech Collaboration (NTC) within the Aksarben Foundation. Van Deun graduated from CSB with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and communications. She is the past secretary of the CSB Board of Trustees. She and her husband Bryan live in Omaha, Nebraska, with their two children.

Dan Whalen ’70

President
Whalen Family Foundation
Oakland, California

Dan Whalen is currently a partner in HTEC Group, a hardware and software development company and is the former Chair of Great Place to Work Institute. Dan also founded or co-founded several telecommunications related firms. Dan chaired the SJU Regents from 2004-06 and was SJU’s Interim President in 2008-2009. He chaired one SJU capital campaign and co-chaired another. Whalen received a bachelor’s degree from SJU, an MBA from Stanford University, an AM from Stanford University’s Food Research Institute, as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from SJU. He lives in Oakland, California, with his wife, Katharine.

To preserve, protect and promote.

As members of our founding monastery and abbey, the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict and the Monks of Saint John’s Abbey serve as corporate members and partner with the board of trustees in the governance of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. The primary role of the corporate members is to preserve, protect and promote the Catholic and Benedictine character, identity and mission of the institutions. Among their responsibilities, the corporate members participate in the selection of the president and the trustees.

Karen Rose, OSB

Prioress
CSB Corporate Member
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

S. Karen Rose, OSB was born in the northwest of England. Prior to her election as Prioress, S. Karen served as director of mission advancement at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. As she was growing up, she grew to love the arts and humanities and considered a career in ancient and modern languages, but as she went off to pursue higher education, she decided to study philosophy and theology in the hope of finding the meaning of life. When she didn’t find it, she felt called to do something that would help ease the suffering of humanity. That call ultimately led her to move into the field of health care. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in philosophy and theology from Oxford University, a doctorate in nursing from the University of Manchester, as well as other degrees and certificates.

Michaela Hedican, OSB

Director of Mission Advancement
Chair, CSB Corporate Member
Trustee, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Michaela Hedican, OSB, is a former Prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery (St. Joseph, Minnesota), former Prioress of Saint Bede’s Monastery (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) and former president of the Federation of St. Benedict. Hedican is a graduate of the College of Saint Scholastica and holds master’s degrees in religious education and theology. She was named one of the outstanding Catholics of the Year 2016 by Our Sunday Visitor.

Ann Marie Biermaier ’69, OSB

CSB Corporate Member
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Sister Ann Marie Biermaier is a product of Catholic Benedictine education beginning in elementary education in Browerville, Minnesota. S. Ann Marie earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the College of Saint Benedict and a doctor of education. in educational leadership with a cognate in higher education from the University of North Dakota. She has taught in K-6 education and classes at the college level, as well as in the adult education program in the Benedictine University College in Nassau, Bahamas.

Ann Marie served as principal in elementary education, chair of the education department at CSB and rector and dean of Benedictine University College, Nassau, Bahamas. She chaired several reviews of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT). The focus of her dissertation was on the “Influence of Mission statements on Teacher Education Programs at Two Church-Related Undergraduate Institutions.”

Ann Marie is currently a member of the American Benedictine Academy (ABA), a member of Bridgefolk: Mennonites and Catholics in Dialogue, and a board member of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research. She is director of the Studium program of Saint Benedict’s Monastery

Colleen Quinlivan ’88, OSB

CSB Corporate Member
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Sister Colleen Quinlivan is a native of St. Cloud, Minnesota., and was educated by the Benedictine sisters from grade school through college. She graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a Bachelor of Arts. in social work and moved to Maryland to work at a residential Benedictine school for exceptional children prior to entering the Benedictine Sisters in Ridgely, Maryland. She earned an Master of Science. degree in counseling and human relations from Villanova University, and ministered at Saint Elizabeth High School in Wilmington, Delaware., as a school counselor, teacher, and campus minister for 15 years. She also served in vocation ministry and administration for the Ridgely community.

In 2016, S. Colleen transferred her membership to Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minnesota. Currently, she serves as the community secretary for Saint Benedict’s Monastery. She also serves on the St. Cloud Hospital Board of Directors.

Lisa Rose ’82, OSB

CSB Corporate Member
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, Minnesota

Sister Lisa Rose graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in the fall of 1982 with a degree in home economics and entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery in September 1983.

She worked as an LPN in a variety of health care settings during the early years of her monastic life. Some of this health care ministry was within her own community retirement centers followed by long-term care centers in the area. Her most recent health care experience was in spiritual care, having time for conversations and social events with the residents. During this time, she attended classes at Saint John’s School of Theology in preparation for spiritual direction ministry. In February 2016, she was appointed the director of vocation ministry for Saint Benedict’s Monastery.

Abbot Douglas Mullin ’76, OSB, SOT/Sem ’82

SJU Corporate Member
Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Abbot Douglas Mullin, OSB, made his solemn profession as a monk of Saint John’s Abbey in 1992. He was ordained a priest in 2007. He has a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Master of Arts in religious education and school administration, a Master of Divinity, and a doctor of education in educational leadership. He has taught and served as a principal at the elementary school level. He also taught and served as a dean of students at a college prep school. In higher education, Fr. Doug taught and served as department chair in the CSB+SJU Education Department and served as the SJU vice president of student development. He has also served as the subprior of Saint John’s Abbey and currently serves as a chaplain at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. He was elected the twelfth abbot of the Abbey in January 2024.

Daniel Ward ’67, OSB, SOT/Sem ’71

Chair, SJU Corporate Members
Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Fr. Dan received a BA in political science and an MA in theology from Saint John’s University. He holds a JCL in canon law from The Catholic University of America and a JD from the University of Iowa. Dan was a faculty member of CSBSJU and a Faculty Resident at SJU.  He served as Executive Director of the Resource Center for Religious Institutes in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Presently, he is a legal consultant for Catholic religious orders and communities.  

Fr. Nickolas Becker, OSB

SJU Corporate Members
Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Fr. Nickolas earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MA and MDiv from Saint Meinrad School of Theology, and a license and doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in Rome. He has been a full-time faculty member at Saint John’s University since 2016, having adjuncted in a theology department before he left for graduate studies and previously taught at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. He serves as a faculty resident at Saint John’s University and provides occasional weekend sacramental ministry at area parishes. Fr. Nickolas professed monastic vows in 2007 and was ordained a priest in 2002. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, cycling, and the occasional film.

Nickolas Kleespie ’06, OSB, SOT/Sem ’15

Trustee, CSB and SJU Boards
Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Fr. Nick Kleespie, OSB, was born and raised in West-Central Minnesota. After graduating from Saint John’s University in 2006, Nick served with the Saint John’s Abbey Benedictine Volunteer Corps in Tanzania. Since entering the Abbey in 2009, Fr. Nick has completed his Master of Divinity at the Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. Fr. Nick is the chaplain of Saint John’s University, lives as a faculty resident in a first-year residence hall and serves as a firefighter/EMT on the Saint John’s Fire Department.

Dan Morgan, ’03 OSB
SJU Corporate Member
Order of Saint Benedict
Collegeville, Minnesota

Br. Dan joined Saint John's Abbey as a monk in 2006.  He has degrees in computer science, pastoral ministry, and higher education administration from Saint John's University and the University of San Diego.  He has served in multiple roles at CSBSJU, including in athletics, student activities, and residential life.  He currently serves as Abbot’s Secretary.