2021 S. Emmanuel Renner Service Award

The S. Emmanuel Renner Award isn’t bestowed annually. Instead, it is reserved for those individuals who have gone far above and beyond with extraordinary, well-rounded service to Saint Ben’s. This year’s recipient, Laurie Rivard ’81, could fill volumes with a list of the time, talent and resources she has gifted to Saint Ben’s.

Over a span of more than a decade, Laurie held an astonishing number of roles. She served as a trustee and on the Alumnae Board (including as president for three years), as co-chair for the Twin Cities chapter of the alumnae association, and on numerous committees including the philanthropy committee, resource development committee, and her class’s 25th reunion committee. The list keeps going. Over the years, Laurie has been active in recruiting; has hosted, spoken at and/or presented at several events and sessions at Saint Ben’s; participated in commencement three times; has served as both an official and unofficial mentor many times; and shows up for reunions, move-in days and wherever else she’s needed.

Laurie’s generous volunteerism isn’t because of a wealth of spare time. Quite the opposite. Laurie has spent her career in highly demanding – but rewarding – jobs, first in public accounting and for the last 28 years in family financial planning for what is now Abbot Downing, a private wealth management firm. Despite all her impact, Laurie stays grounded. She has the Benedictine values framed on her office wall and embraces them wholeheartedly.