A Year of Purpose, Possibility and Shared Direction

At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, learning extends far beyond the classroom. It is shaped by relationships, grounded in experience and strengthened by a community that encourages students to explore who they are, what they value and how they hope to make a difference.

In 2025, that experience unfolded across campus and around the world. From moments of quiet reflection to national recognition and global engagement, Bennies and Johnnies moved forward together – supported by faculty mentors, challenged by hands-on learning and connected by shared purpose.

Community, Faith and Moments That Matter

Throughout the year, CSB and SJU created space for connection and reflection during even the busiest seasons.

Advent retreats invited students to pause and reset, while Christmas tree lightings and seasonal concerts brought joy and warmth to campus. Nearly 600 students gathered outdoors for Kickoff Mass to begin the academic year, and Ice Mass on Lake Sagatagan once again transformed the natural landscape into sacred space.

The community also came together in moments of remembrance, honoring Pope Francis and celebrating the lives of campus figures whose legacies continue to shape these institutions, including Boz Bostrom and Fr. Don Talafous, OSB.

A person on a platform addresses a crowd at night. The ground is snowy, and there are torches flanking the scene. The crowd is gathered in the background, illuminated by the torchlight and a subtle purple glow.

A framed photo of a smiling man in an "Accounting" shirt and cap is displayed on a podium beside a large red chair on a football field stage, decorated with flowers and autumn plants.

An elderly man with glasses and a black sweater sits comfortably in a chair, smiling. The background features a modern interior with artwork and a wooden table.

Learning Shaped by Mentorship

Strong relationships remain central to the CSB and SJU experience. In 2025, students benefited from close mentorship with faculty and staff who guided them academically, creatively and personally.

Faculty worked one-on-one with students on research projects, art exhibitions, scientific studies and scholarly presentations. Students earned national recognition through Phi Beta Kappa, Gilman Scholarships and academic honor societies, while faculty were recognized for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.

These connections – built in classrooms, labs, studios and offices – helped students gain confidence, clarity and direction.

Two women sit at a table indoors, talking. One has a laptop with colorful stickers, open books, and papers. They appear to be discussing study materials in a spacious, well-lit area with a balcony railing above.

A smiling person wearing glasses, a white cap, and a T-shirt stands outdoors holding two large insect nets, with grassy fields and yellow wildflowers in the background.

Three people stand near a large, dome-shaped kiln with glowing flames inside, illuminated by the fire and hanging bulbs in a dimly lit workshop or studio environment.

Learning by Doing

Hands-on learning remained a defining feature of the year. Students applied their knowledge in real-world settings through internships, research, service learning and global experiences.

CSB and SJU once again ranked among national leaders in study abroad participation. Students traveled to Japan, India, Vietnam, Nicaragua and the United Nations Climate Change Conference, gaining global perspective and cultural understanding. Others spent the summer interning in Washington, D.C., conducting research on campus or contributing to community health through a free clinic staffed by nursing students.

Across disciplines, students engaged directly with the work they hope to pursue after graduation – building skills, perspective and purpose along the way.

A group of smiling people pose together in front of ancient stone columns and ruins, likely at a historic temple site, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.

A group of people stands smiling in front of a building entrance as a man in the center cuts a blue ribbon with large scissors, celebrating a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Creativity, Expression and Exploration

The arts played a vital role in helping students explore ideas, identity and meaning. Musicians, actors, filmmakers and visual artists shared their work through performances and exhibitions that reflected curiosity, reflection and creative risk.

CSB and SJU music ensembles earned national honors and prepared for a milestone performance at Carnegie Hall. Art exhibitions examined abstraction, sustainability and labor justice, while student theater productions and films showcased both talent and thoughtful storytelling.

Through creative expression, students discovered new ways to understand themselves and the world around them.

A choir rehearsal is taking place in a large room. A pianist sits at a grand piano on the left, while a group of singers, wearing various casual outfits, stand in rows facing forward. The room has a high ceiling with recessed lighting.

Service, Leadership and Engagement

Service and leadership remained woven into daily life at CSB and SJU. Students served during spring break, advocated at the Capitol, trained as EMTs and prepared for careers in service through ROTC and volunteer programs.

A $10 million Rural Ministry Grant launched a major collaborative effort with Catholic dioceses, while CSB’s reaccreditation as a Service Enterprise affirmed a long-standing commitment to service excellence. Alums and students alike participated in days of service and civic engagement that reflected Benedictine values in action.

Two people wearing red shirts and hats stand on a sidewalk waving to a black vehicle. Red "Welcome" banners are in the background, and trees line the street on a sunny day.

Soldiers in uniform carry the American flag and a yellow flag while walking down stadium bleachers, with spectators seated on the opposite side and a building surrounded by trees in the background.

A group of people wearing hairnets stand in a warehouse, holding a red College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University banner, with stacks of cardboard boxes behind them.

Celebration, Achievement and Belonging

There were also many moments to celebrate.

Athletic teams and individuals advanced to NCAA national competition and set program records. Homecoming and Family Weekend brought energy and connection to campus, while Reunion Weekend welcomed more than 1,400 alums back to reconnect with classmates, faculty and friends.

Among the year’s most celebrated achievements, Johnnie great Blake Elliott earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame – a milestone that highlighted both individual excellence and enduring institutional pride.

A large crowd watches a football game in a stadium. Cheerleaders with red pom-poms stand in the foreground, and players are gathered on the field near an end zone. Trees and a building are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

A group of people wearing autumn clothing gather outdoors at sunset, sitting and standing on grass covered with red leaves, attentively watching something off-camera. Warm string lights hang in the background.

A group of excited young fans in colorful attire smile and cheer at an outdoor stadium during a sunny day, with a football game and a crowd in the background.

A group of six smiling young adults pose together on a sandy lakeshore, with trees and water in the background. Other people are mingling in the background, enjoying a sunny day outdoors.

Looking Ahead

As the Class of 2025 crossed the commencement stage, they did so shaped by meaningful relationships, real-world experiences and a strong sense of belonging.

The year behind them reflected what continues to define Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s: an education that helps students grow with intention, discover what matters most and move forward prepared to lead lives of meaning.

A group of graduates in black caps and gowns joyfully toss their caps into the air outside a modern honeycomb-patterned building, celebrating graduation on a cloudy day.

Four graduates in caps and gowns embrace and smile joyfully outdoors, surrounded by green trees, celebrating together.

A person in academic regalia speaks at a podium to a large audience of graduates and faculty during a ceremony in a hall with colorful stained glass windows.