Winter 2008

Hello fellow alumni!

I'm Steven Gacek, your new president of the Alumni Association. I'm stepping into the spot vacated by my friend Mary Gummerson, who left a successful career in finance to work full time at something she loves even more - the College. Since she's in Alumni Relations, I'm glad to know I'll be seeing her often.

A bit about my background. I graduated from St. Scholastica in 2002 with a bachelor of arts in Management and in 2003 with a master of arts in Management. I have served on the Alumni Board since 2005, and am its representative to the Board of Trustees.

I'm also an adjunct faculty member teaching core management classes in the Accelerated Degree Evening Program. It's a role I hold dear, and am proud of. Working with our students is always deeply rewarding for me.

I was recently appointed Vice President of Operations for Sign-Zone Inc., and I specialize in the
management of high-growth and merged and acquired organizations. I've served on various boards including North Memorial Cancer Center, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center. I volunteer with Courage Center and Sharing and Caring Hands. My wife Lisa, our daughters Alaina and Julia, and I live in Mahtomedi, MN.

I come into leadership of the Alumni Board with a feeling of gratitude. We have a great group of folks who are eager to strengthen the bond each and every one of our alumni feels to our alma mater. We do this through improving communication among alums, facilitating lifelong learning and travel, organizing events big and small, and helping alumni and friends support St. Scholastica.

Speaking of events: we in Minnesota have a lot of winter left to get through, so I hope you'll consider participating in some of our alumni programming.

We have athletic alumni games, and a theater alumni gathering.

Dr. Gary Boelhower, a poet and theologian who leads the College's Religious Studies department, will give a talk about "Spirituality-Based Decision-Making" in Duluth in February and in Bloomington in April.

Also in April, our Management alumni will gather in Duluth.

Meanwhile, our class representatives have begun training, which leads up to Reunion in late June - a great time, if ever there was one. See the list of upcoming events on page 24, or visit our Web site at alumni.css.edu.

I know I speak for the other members of the Board when I say that we'd love to hear your ideas, questions or concerns. You can reach me at sgacek@css.edu.

All the best,

Steve Gacek '02 (MA '03)