Previous Student Employees and Staff

Alex Chocholousek grew up on a 100+ year-old family farm in south-central South Dakota, where his grandfather and father instilled in him a connection with the land and a concern for the environment. He graduated from Saint John’s University in the spring of 2013 with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Philosophy. During his time at SJU, Alex was a member of the sustainable living community, Edelbrock, and a coordinator for the Peer resource program. He enjoys climbing, paddling, playing guitar, brewing, and has been known to pick a banjo from time to time. Alex was the Sustainability Fellow for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 academic years. Some of his projects included carbon reduction for CSB, developing a leadership program for students, faculty, and staff designed to strengthen our focus on living sustainably day to day. 

Lindsay Wimmer graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in 2011 with a major in Environmental Studies and election into Phi Beta Kappa. She was drawn to this field because of her love for outdoor expeditions. As an intern in the Office of Sustainability, she updated the CSB carbon footprint. During college, she was active in Echo, helped coordinate the Campus Energy Challenge, worked to connect CSB/SJU with other colleges around Minnesota through TEAM MN, and organized unplugged concerts. Lindsay enjoys poetry, homegrown anything, traveling, and spending time with friends outside.

Theo Eggermont graduated from Saint John's University in 2008, majoring in Environmental Studies. He began working as Campus Sustainability Fellow in August 2009, and completed his term June 2011. He enjoys cooking and baking bread, canoeing, sailing, self sufficiency, community, and for some reason yet unknown, backpacking.

Aimee Bannwarth is a junior from South Dakota majoring in Environmental Studies with a Theology minor. While interning for the Office of Sustainability she hopes to learn about and help with many of the office's projects as well as get other students excited about living sustainable lives. She loves hiking, Harry Potter and taking her nephew and nieces to the zoo. When she's not in the office she is busy getting ready to study abroad in South Africa in the spring.

 Nick Bradley was a Environmental Studies major, with an Economics concentration. He is currently working for the Conservation Corps in Saint Paul for a program call I Can Paddle! which teaches kids and families canoe and kayak lessons. After, Nick hopes to enter into the renewable energy or energy efficiency fields. He will be applying for the Green Corps to gain more experience.

Julie Bode graduated with a Peace Studies Major and English Minor. She was the Yambiro Project Manager Intern through the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship, which reflects her interest in the Social Justice aspect of Sustainability. During the academic year, she workedfor CSB Residential Life as a Resident Assistant. On campus, Julie was also involved in PRiSM and the CSB Rugby Team.

Stephen Johnson graduated with Environmental Studies degree with a minor in Spanish. He also studied entrepreneurship through the E-scholars program at St. John's. He worked on getting approval for a winter hydroponic greenhouse that supplies fresh vegetables to the St. John's dining services. As an intern, Steve focused on the Yambiro, Ecuador project. Steve enjoys sailing and playing football and lacrosse for St. John's.

Andy Karel greaduated with a Communication degreewith a minor in Spanish. As an intern, he mainly worked on the Yambiro, Ecuador project. He also did some film work for the Sustainability Office to create more student awareness on sustainability issues. Andy enjoys playing soccer, the guitar, and hanging out with friends on campus in his spare time.

Alex Brancale graduated with Physics and Numerical Computation degrees. As an intern, she is mainly workedon the Yambiro, Ecuador project. Around campus she worked on making St. Ben's a smoke-free campus and securing an emergency water source. She also workedin Admissions at St. John's and was the SJU Wrestling Manager. She enjoys hanging out with friends, running, and introducing people to what St. Ben's and St. John's have to offer.

Brianna Schrankler graduated with a Biology degree and a Psychology minor. While interning she worked primarily on the Yambiro, Ecuador project. In addition, she helped with other sustainability efforts around campus. Brianna workedfor the Institute for Women's Leadership and was part of the CSB dance team. She enjoys traveling and studied abroad in South Africa. On campus she loves hanging out with friends, dancing, being outdoors, and enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of CSB/SJU.

Aaron Stolte graduated with Environmental Studies and Biology degrees. His leading environmental interest is sustainable energy which he carried into campus initiatives through various projects, specifically Campus Conservation Nationals, an energy auditing program for staff and faculty, and the LEED certification process for Centennial Commons. He also works as a Career Assistant in the Saint John's Career Resource Center. Outside of work and studies, Aaron enjoys trying new things, spending time with friends and family, and watching the Colbert Report.

Amanda Bednar graduated with  Environmental Studies and Communication degrees. She updated STARS as an intern and worked on various projectsincluding Eco Reps. She was an active member of the student Sustainability Alliance. She enjoys working with others, drinking coffee and warm weather.

Maggie Rothstein graduated with Nutrition and Peace Studies degrees. She would choose the outdoors over indoors anyday. She was a member of Echo, the Sustainability Alliance, and Amnesty International on campus. After graduation, she worked on moving the current global food system towards a more sustainable structure. When she's not working or doing school work she enjoys new experiences and challenging the conventional way of things

Steven Pesavento is a Communication Major who graduated in December of 2011. He is very passionate about nature, which is were he found his motivation for sustainability. He was a member of Sustainability Alliance, Echo, and a Fellow for the Sierra Student Coalition. Steven enjoys backpacking, cooking, debating, coffee, running and he is passionate about politics. Outside of Sustainability Steven revived the Speech & Debate Team, participates in mock trial and enjoys volunteering. He also enjoys long walks on the beach and milk chocolate.

Shannon McEvoy graduated with Art and Hispanic Studies degrees at CSB. She started working at the Office of Sustainability in January of 2011 after she returned from her fall semester study abroad in Chile. Shannon enjoys hiking, running, and Nordic skiing. She also is very into found-object and recycled artwork, and she loves cutting up her old clothes to re-vamp her wardrobe. One of her favorite things about sustainability is that it calls for creativity.

Marbella Moreno graduated with Biology and Environmental Studies degrees. She is from Chicago. She enjoys soccer, swimming and since attending CSB/SJU has found a passion for canoeing. She was a part of the Intercultural-LEAD program and hopes to work with conservation efforts or pollution control in the city.

Brittni Latterell greaduated with an Environmental Studies degree. She plays volleyball and ultimate Frisbee. Since attending CSB/SJU she has really become more aware of how effective being sustainable and going green really is. It's cool to see a "green" project evolving right before your eyes. She enjoys meeting new people and hanging out with friends. Someday she would like to work in Marine sciences.

Patrick Deal graduated from Saint John's University with an Environmental Studies degreeand Art minor. He first gained an interest in environmental issues through Boy Scouts and by visiting National Parks. This interest has exploded since becoming an Environmental Studies major, and Patrick wasexcited to share it with others through working at the Office. Around campus heserved as a member of the SJU Community Conduct and Standards Board, played bass guitar in the on-campus band Hard Ticket, and filled a role as Photographic Assistant for the Art Department. Other hobbies include all things musical, and anything to do with photography or the outdoors.

Sarah Calhoun graduated with an Environmental Studies degree and Psychology minor. As an intern, she worked on the greenhouse gas inventory update. She loves to travel and see how other countries address environmental issues. She spent three weeks in South Africaand a semester in Australia. During the academic year she was a Career Assistant in the Career Resource Center at St. Ben's.

Mary Wood graduated with Psychology and Environmental Studies degrees. She enjoys paddling, sun and rain, rainbows, the north woods, hummus, and ice cream. As an intern for the office, Mary worked with composting on campus and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Alyssa Gustafson graduated with a Communication degree at Saint Ben's. She grew up in the little town of New London Spicer, but is now itching to get down to the Metro area within the next couple years. In the office Alyssa worked as our Communications and Marketing Coordinator, managing our signage, social media presence, and additional marketing tools to engage students with the mission and programs of the Office of Sustainability. When not working, Alyssa she flourishes as a popcorn eater, sale shopper, and planner of unrealistic vacations.

Tyler Thompson will graduate May 2016. Currently he is the Manager and Outdoor Programs Coordinator for the Outdoor Leadership Center and Saint John's Outdoor University. This includes directing Collegebound, first-year student pre-orientation trip to Northern MN. He has no specific plans for after graduation. Tyler would like to work in an outdoor setting before pursuing a graduate degree in Urban/Regional planning focusing on Sustainable Design or a Natural Resources related field.