Alum Achievements
Our alums make up a highly respected and successful group of entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, educators and everyday champions. Here are a few examples of the amazing things Bennie and Johnnie alums are accomplishing.
Vande Hei Reaches Orbit as First Johnnie Astronaut
Mark Vande Hei ’89 became the first Johnnie in space in September 2017 when he blasted off for a 168-day mission aboard the International Space Station. A physics major and ROTC graduate from CSB+SJU, Vande Hei subsequently served as an assistant professor of physics at the U.S. Military Academy before being selected out of 3,500 applicants as one of nine members of NASA’s astronaut class of 2009.
Barry Leads Fortune 500 Company
Corie Barry ’97 became the first female CEO of Best Buy Company in June 2019. Barry credits the experiences she had at CSB for giving her the professional foundation she needed to succeed. While at CSB, Barry participated in the Honors Program, graduated with two business majors, and developed her communication and critical thinking skills through the liberal arts curriculum.
McDonough’s Service Reaches a Global Scale
Denis McDonough ’92 has served as Secretary of Veterans Affairs since February 2021. He previously served as President Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff for the entirety of his second term in office (2013-17) after serving as Obama’s chief foreign policy advisor (2007-09) and deputy national security advisor (2010-12). A football standout and summa cum laude graduate of Saint John’s with a degree in history and Spanish, McDonough has also served as a professor at Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and as a visiting senior fellow in Carnegie’s Technology and International Affairs Program.
Mullin Named Rhodes Scholar
Rachel Mullin ’14 was one of the 32 Americans who received a 2016 Rhodes Scholarship. Mullin was the only recipient from a Minnesota college or university. The Rhodes Scholarship is widely considered to be among the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programs. Scholars receive full financial support to pursue a degree at the University of Oxford. Rachel credits much of her success to the mentorship she received from CSB+SJU professors.
Nakasone Oversees Institute for National Defense and Global Security
Retired Gen. Paul Nakasone ’86 has been named founding director of the Vanderbilt University Institute for National Defense and Global Security. Prior to retirement, he served as Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service. Nakasone, who received his Army commission through Saint John’s ROTC program, directed more than 20,000 civilian and military personnel at the NSA and Cyber Command in providing crucial security functions.
Turner Van Deun Leading in Government, Business and Tech
Jona Turner Van Deun ’92 began her career in the White House under President George H.W. Bush and has gone on to serve with governors, Congressional committee staffs, the Republican National Convention and the State Department in Lagos, Nigeria. She has also served as vice president of small business engagement for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and is currently the managing partner at Prairie Coast Strategies.
Bartch Makes the Jump From Division III to the NFL
Ben Bartch ’20 played for the San Francisco 49ers team that competed in Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. He began his professional career as an offensive lineman with the Jacksonville Jaguars in September 2020, making him one of the rare players to make the jump from NCAA Division III to the NFL. An All-American at Saint John’s, Bartch was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft and became the first Johnnie chosen since 1974.
Kyle Named Chamber of Commerce President
Brenda Kyle ’86 is the president and CEO of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. She has brought her vision and energy to development projects like the Treasure Island Center in downtown St. Paul. – taking the vacated Macy’s building and filling it with retail spaces and a high-profile practice facility for the Minnesota Wild.
Untiedt Jerabek is Redefining Secondary Education
Angela Untiedt Jerabek ’90 is the founder and executive director of the BARR Center® – a nationally recognized non-profit organization that builds strong school communities. The BARR philosophy aims to support student success by improving school culture, school climate and educator effectiveness
Mayers Benson Named Minnesota Physician of the Year
Dr. Julie Mayers Benson ’90 was named the 2017 Family Physician of the Year by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians. She is a family physician with the Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minn.