Alum College Sessions
Friday, June 23
1:15-2 p.m
Good Reads - Anna Jonas, S. Mara Faulkner ’62, OSB & Kathy Parker
CSB, Mary Commons
A good book is more fun when shared. Readers from the CSB campus will recommend some of their recent favorite books. There will be time to share some of your recommendations too!
About the presenters: Anna Jonas works at CSB and SJU as the General book buyer for the campuses. Additionally, she is the Saint Cloud Visitor monthly book reviewer. Sister Mara Faulkner ’62 is a vowed member of the sisters of the order of Saint Benedict and is an author of several books. Additionally, she taught literature and writing at CSBSJU for many years before retiring in 2013. Since then, she has been offering writing workshops and retreats and tutoring adult English Language Learners. Kathy Parker works at CSB and SJU as the director of libraries, media and archives where she manages library operations. Her secret plan is to have every graduate so habituated to reading they can’t imagine a day without a good book.
Virtual CSB and SJU Campus Tour - Peggy Landwehr Roske ’77
CSB, Ardolf Science Center 104
Walk about the campus virtually with Peggy Landwehr Roske ’77, CSB and SJU archivist, to learn about changes made to CSB and SJU over the decades (and centuries). See what is different since your days on campus and ask your questions about CSB and SJU history.
About Peggy Landwehr Roske ’77: Peggy Landwehr Roske attended St. Ben’s high school and college, received her master’s at UW-Madison, and served CSB and SJU as reference librarian for 25 years before becoming the joint archivist in 2006.
What’s So Special about CSB and SJU?: A Conversation about Benedictine Values and How They Are Present in Your Lives - Rodger Narloch ’91, Psychology Professor & Director of the Benedictine Institute
CSB, Ardolf Science Center 107
When people try to explain what’s so special about CSB and SJU, they often say that there’s just “something in the water.” One can argue that the qualities that permeate the “water” of the CSB and SJU culture stem directly from the values of our Benedictine heritage. Come and participate in a conversation about these values and share how they have continued to shape you well beyond just your college years.
1:30-2:15 p.m.
SJU Athletic Facilities Tour – Assistant Vice President for SJU Institutional Advancement, John Young ’83
SJU, walking tour, meet in front of Gagliardi Field
Game changer-tour of SJU Athletic complex, Tennis, Baseball, Soccer and Field/Dome
Join John for a first-hand look at the modernization of athletic facilities at SJU. These new dedicated fields are a game changer for current and future SJU students and gives SJU a competitive advantage in student recruitment. You will see how we have remained true to our Benedictine style with thoughtful and innovative design that gets right to the heart of the game. Let’s go for a walk and tour new athletic facilities! We will explore the Chang Tennis Complex; Becker Park/Haugen Field, home of Johnnie baseball; Haws Field, where the Johnnie soccer team plays; and the new Gagliardi Field and Alpers Golf Learning Center.
Library and Learning Commons Tour – Vice President for SJU Institutional Advancement, Rob Culligan ’82
SJU, Walking tour, meet outside the main doors of Alcuin library facing the Abbey Church.
Innovation. Collaboration. Technology.
These are the watchwords of 21st-century workplaces and communities.
The Reinhart Learning Commons is designed for the kind of learning and teaching essential to preparing our students for their future.
This exciting building combines flexible classrooms, the latest technology, and a variety of informal social learning spaces. It will provide faculty and students with the environment and the tools to fully engage in collaborative learning and innovative thinking. This tour of the newly remodeled Alcuin Library will demonstrate how a 21st century library provides flexible spaces for both solitary study and collaborative work; deploys the digital tools required by scholars and students; efficiently houses print resources; and supports a holistic academic experience with an array of academic support services.
ROTC - A proud history - a bright future - Captain Steve Poepping
Please join us as Captain Steve Poepping looks thru the history of the ROTC program, and how those traditions and values are carried out today on campus.
Captain Steven J. Poepping is a 2009 graduate of Annandale High School and subsequent graduate of Saint Cloud State University in 2012 with a B.S. in Accounting. CPT Poepping began serving the State of Minnesota in 2008 as an Intelligence Analyst in 2-135 Infantry Battalion out of Mankato, MN. While attending Saint Cloud State University (SCSU), he joined the Fighting Saints Battalion ROTC Program and received a commission in 2012 as an Armor Officer. Following graduation from SCSU, CPT Poepping attended Basic Officer Leadership School (BOLC) at Fort Benning, GA. After BOLC, he moved to Fort Hood, TX where he was a Platoon Leader in the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, forward deployed to Kosovo. Upon return from Kosovo, CPT Poepping became a Tank Company XO in 1st Brigade 1st Cavalry Division where he participated in a Brigade rotation to Korea. After promotion to Captain, CPT Poepping attended the Maneuver Company Commanders Course in Fort Benning, GA. There he prepared to command both a Charlie Troop (Dismounted) and Bravo Troop (Mounted) as part of 4th Brigade 25th Infantry Division (Airborne).
3:15-4 p.m.
Woodworking shop Tour - Fr. Lew Grobe
SJU, Walking tour - meet at Woodworking Shop
The woodworking shop has helped with construction and expansion of many buildings such as Mary Hall in 1950, the interior of the new monastery in 1956, as well as the forms for the construction of the Abbey church in 1959-1961. The woodworking shop has also created thousands of pieces of furniture such as tables, bookcases, chairs, beds, and coffins for those in the St. John's community. They have also created cabinets to hold The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition. The woodworking shop has always focused on values of stewardship and sustainability in its practices.
Most recently, the woodworking shop has shared its talents on the Holtkamp-Pasi organ in the Abbey Church. The expansion of the organ, first built by Walter Holtkamp Sr. in 1961, means that there are no longer any musical limitations to community worship. The inaugural year of concerts for the organ will launch in the fall of 2021.
The Saint John’s Bible: From Inspiration to Illumination - Tim Ternes, Director and Saint John’s Bible Interns
SJU, Sullivan Auditorium, Alcuin 170. There will be a host at the main door of Alcuin Library to direct guests to the auditorium.
Guests will have a guided introduction to The Saint John’s Bible led by an outstanding CSB and SJU current student. The host will introduce guests to the tools, methods, materials and art of this monumental project created to mark the new millennium. Hear the stories and inspiration behind the making of the original and learn about the stunning fine art edition created to share the Bible with the entire world.
Saturday, June 24
8:30-9:15 p.m.
Green Tea, Hospitality, and Health - Richard Bresnahan ’76, artist in residence
SJU, Saint John's Pottery Studio
How did green tea traditions evolve over time, and what are the benefits to crafting the perfect brew? Gather around the irori tea table at The Saint John's Pottery with Director and Artist-in-Residence Richard Bresnahan ’76 to learn about the intriguing history of the Japanese tea ceremony, tea-related art objects, and the importance of good tea-drinking habits.
Arboretum Walk - Saint John’s Outdoor University
SJU, One-hour walk beings at Abbey Church steps
You’ve hiked the Chapel Trail, but how much do you know about the trail and the surrounding landscape? Take advantage of this opportunity to walk a short loop of the trail and get a close-up look at plants and wildlife and learn more about the natural history of the 2,944 acres of lakes, prairie, oak savannah and forest surrounding Saint John's with a guided walk with arboretum experts.
2-2:45 p.m.
Facilities Updates Tour–New and Remade: Monastery Buildings, Main, Haehn Campus Center and Clemens Library – Chad Marolf
CSB, Walking tour - meet in the Fireside Lounge in Gorecki Dining and Conference Center
Through the Illuminating Lives campaign and beyond, the College of Saint Benedict has been investing in the construction of new spaces and the renovation of others. On this tour, you will learn how it came to be that the college purchased three historic buildings from the monastery and transformed them into an admissions welcome centre and spaces for other college administrative functions. This step allowed us to free up and completely remake space in the Main building, which is now home to the departments of Math, Computer Science, Psychology, Economics and Nursing. We have also created new spaces for students in the Haehn Campus Center and an all new Experience and Professional Development home called the Experience Hub.
About Chad Marolf: Chad serves in the Institutional Advancement department as a Senior Principal Gifts Officer. He has been with CSB for eleven years, having served in a similar role for six years prior at St. Cloud State University. Chad harkens from Ohio where he grew up and went to college and grad school. He is married and has three kids ages 30, 27 and 25. He also recently became a grandfather.
Abbey Church Tour
SJU, meet under Bell Banner
The Abbey and University Church was designed for a complex community made up of Benedictine monks, students of the University, the Seminary and the Preparatory School, a parish attached to the monastery, and visitors. The design of the church was based on the premise that all these members should be allowed closer participation in services. This was achieved by building a vast worship space without columns and based on a trapezoidal shape that would enable all to sit as close as possible to the altar.
The church is a technological feat as well. Incorporating a massive use of cast and steel-reinforced concrete, it was fundamentally constructed by local carpenters who made the forms into which the concrete was cast. The large bell banner at the north side, the main entrance to the church, houses a cross made of oak harvested from the woods at Saint John's Arboretum, and the five bells that call people to worship. It is 112 feet high, stands on thin parabolic arches, and announces that this is indeed a special place.
The British Are Coming! - Thom Woodward ’70
SJU, Quad 264
Trace the history of rock and roll from the 1200s to the British Invasion. Thom Woodward '70 will offer a PowerPoint presentation with music snippets and commentary using the resources of the Hill Museum and a rock history compiler