Welcome Alumni!
The St. Scholastica Alumni Association supports all graduates and provides ways to stay connected with your classmates, professors and the College.
You have many opportunities to stay involved with your alma mater! The St. Scholastica Alumni Association provides leadership opportunities, alumni services and social opportunities.
Homecoming
Plan to join us this fall for St. Scholastica’s 2024 Homecoming celebration! This year, Homecoming will take place October 4-6, so make sure to save the date! Check out the schedule below for more details and to sign up for special events.
2024 Homecoming Schedule
Monday, Sept. 30
10 a.m. — Medallion Hunt Begins
CSS Campus
Wednesday, Oct. 2
All Day — Community Day
Duluth Area
Thursday, Oct. 3
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — CSS-Themed Chalk Contest
Campus Sidewalks
Friday, Oct. 4
All Day — Student Spirit Day
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Photobooth, Activities and More!
Storm’s Atrium
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. — Musicorum
Mitchell Auditorium
7 p.m. — Student Talent Show Performance
Mitchell Auditorium.
Saturday, Oct. 5
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Homecoming Hangout (student and alumni event)
New Student Center
Outdoor games, hot dogs, Saints swag and more!
11 a.m. — Prism Concert
Mitchell Auditorium
1 p.m. — Football
Walt Hunting Stadium – Marv Heikkinen Field
3 p.m. — Women’s Volleyball
Reif Gymnasium
3 – 6 p.m. — Alumni and Parent Social
Hoops Brewing / The Bridge Cocktail Room
After the football game, Alumni and their families as well as current student parents can join us.
Sunday, Oct. 6
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Alumni Pickleball Tournament
Burns Wellness Center
Pre-registration required
Register for Alumni Pickleball
11 a.m. — Mass
Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel
2 – 5 p.m. — Student Pickleball Tournament
Burns Wellness Center
Alumni Benefits
As a St. Scholastica alum, your Alumni Association membership is FREE! We welcome you to come back and take advantage of the perks of being a St. Scholastica alum!
Campus Facilities and Resources
Digitized Scriptorium and Cable Student Newspapers
Search the College Archives to view the Scriptorium from 1932 to 1969 and the Cable student newspaper from 1977 to 2001. Please review system requirements carefully before entering the database, as there is certain computer software and hardware to run the database properly.
Duluth Campus Reunion room rental
All St. Scholastica Alumni and their families are welcome to return for Reunion Weekend and stay on campus for a special reunion rate. Availability in the suites and apartments is limited. More information on Reunion Housing coming soon!
St. Scholastica Library Access
Alums can use items in-house at the College Library and check out up to five St. Scholastica Library book items at a time with no annual fee. Please bring a photo ID to the Library to help with the check out process.
Please note:
Alumni cannot continue to use our online databases after graduation; our license agreements do not permit this kind of access. Minnesota residents can access some of the databases we use through the Electronic Library of Minnesota. Many other states have similar programs.
Outdoor Equipment Rental
The College of St. Scholastica is located in one of the most beautiful, awe inspiring parts of the world, and now you can rent equipment that will help you get out and explore it! As alumni, you can take advantage of equipment rental through the Outdoor Pursuit program.
All types of outdoor equipment is available for rent including tents, sleeping bags, packs, canoes, cook sets, rain gear, skis and snowshoes. Be sure to bring a photo ID to the OP! Rental Office (Wellness Center, Office 104). For policies, price list and equipment available visit the OP Equipment Rental page.
Outdoor Pursuit Programming
As alumni, you can take participate in Outdoor Pursuit! programming (as space allows) or work with the OP Coordinator, Shawn Olesewski, to design your own day trips for 6 or more people. Contact Shawn at solesews@css.edu or 218-723-6196.
Saints Shop Discount
Alumni receive free shipping within the Continental U.S. on online Saints Shop purchases. Simply visit shop.css.edu and use the coupon code “SAINTS4LIFE” when checking out!
Wellness Center Membership
Alumni, spouses and partners of St. Scholastica alumni can purchase a BWC membership. Alumni will still have free memberships for one year once their degree is conferred. After a year, alumni can purchase a membership.
Fees vary based on the initial date of membership. Contact Jenna Helget at jhelget@css.edu.
Career Services for Alumni
Looking for a job? Looking for a better job? Three years after graduation, you can continue to connect with and take advantage the many services offered through Career Services. After three years, you will have access to three consultation appointments to assist with career changes, graduate school application or career based resources including:
- Résumé and cover letter writing tips and examples
- Interviewing skills and technology
- Graduate school information
- Career exploration sites and resources
- LinkedIn profile development
- Access to job postings on Handshake
- Pre-recorded career videos on YouTube
Hire A Saint
Post internships or positions for all students/alumni to view at no charge
Enrollment Verification
The College of St. Scholastica has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide confirmation of enrollment and conferred degrees for our students and alumni. If you are a student or alumni, please refer your lender or organization requesting your enrollment or degree verification (information) to the National Student Clearinghouse website. The National Student Clearinghouse can be contacted at:
Web: www.enrollmentverify.org OR www.degreeverify.org
Mail:
National Student Clearinghouse
2300 Dulles Station Blvd. Suite 300
Herndon, Virginia 20171
If you have any questions, contact the Academic Records and Registrar’s office.
Learning and Events
Alumni Travel Program
Taking a trip can be so much more rewarding when the trip offers an in-depth opportunity to discover the places, people and culture you visit. Our inclusive travel packages take the worry out of travel. They include hassle free trips that encourage a deeper exploration into local customs, art, history and landmarks, while still providing opportunities to explore scenic beauty. Our next fully-escorted tour departs soon – check the Alumni Travel Program section on this page or call Alumni Engagement for more details at 218-723-6071 or alumni@css.edu.
Lifelong Learning Opportunities
There is something for every one of our Saints alums looking for ongoing learning opportunities. Offerings include Emeritus College for all those interested in scholarly courses, the Alworth Center for Peace and Justice which provides programming designed to bridge social and political barriers, and offerings at the Mitchell Auditorium.
Economic Updates
Faculty Emeriti, Dr. Anthony Barrett, from the Stender School of Leadership, Business and Professional Studies provides a monthly economics update.
Scholarships and Benefits
Scholarships and Discounts
St. Scholastica offers alumni, their families and friends scholarships and discounts to make education more affordable.
About the Alumni Association
Mission and Vision
Mission
To advance the College of St. Scholastica by connecting alumni to one another and the College through meaningful events, benefits and communication.
Vision
Our vision is to involve the greatest possible number of alumni by offering opportunities to connect and remain engaged with the College and each other. We are committed to serving the needs of alumni through recognizing and responding to the diversity of individuals, generations, interests and geographic locations. Our offerings are rooted in the Benedictine values of Respect, Hospitality, Stewardship, Community and Love of Learning. The College’s Benedictine tradition, rich friendships, and strong academic preparation inspire this vision.
Alumni Association Board of Directors
The College of St. Scholastica Alumni Board is an advisory board that represents the voice of St. Scholastica’s 31,685+ alumni.
Alumni Board Members
Jennifer Alaspa ’00 CLS (MBA ’15)
President
Duluth, MN
Nick (Lambrecht) Bates ’14 BIO
Minneapolis, MN
Kate Brekke ‘17 NSG
Duluth, MN
Brandi (Bierbrauer) Durkin ’13 HIM
St. Louis Park, MN
Phillishia Cham ‘18 MGT, MBA ‘19
Superior, WI
Ryan Fagan ’21 ORL
Rosemount, MN
Emily Foyt ’12 SDM (MS ’14)
Secretary
Duluth, MN
Scott Greening ’11 MGT/MKT
Chanhassen, MN
Rachel Hagel ’13 HIM
New Prague, MN
Sarah Hentges ’13 SWK
Shoreview, MN
Correne (Tabery) Jenson ’84 BIO
Duluth, MN
James Magnuson ‘12 ACC
Ashland, WI
Ellen Murphy ‘82 YMN
Manchester, CT
Joe Paulick ‘96 HIM
Miami, FL
Jeff Phillipich ’03 HUM
Duluth, MN
Hannah (Barr) Puryear ’10 ENG
President-elect
Watertown, WI 53092
Christina (Wallner) Snaza ’07 HIM (MS ’17)
Somerset, WI
Emily (Morley) Yu ’12 HIM
Chicago, IL
Join the Alumni Association Board of Directors
Purpose
- Create meaningful, lifelong affinity and kinship with each other and to remain involved with and support of the College through the work of the Board
- Foster the spirit of the College in ways that increase alumni engagement
- Identify new ways and strengthen existing ways to give alumni a strong connection to one another and to the College
- Promote greater access to College resources, including educational opportunities, career counseling and participation in key events
- Build networks that will equip alumni to serve as brand ambassadors for the College
Roles and Responsibilities
- Membership to the Alumni Board is for a three-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms
- Board members are expected to participate in ad hoc committees
- Board members are expected to attend three meetings a year, located either in the Twin Cities or in Duluth. Meetings are held on Saturdays
- Serve as a brand ambassador for the College, including helping increase engagement and positively promoting the College
- Participate in alumni gatherings as well as either Homecoming and/or Reunion
- Contribute financially — as the member’s means allow — to the College’s annual fundraising campaign, which runs from July 1 to June 30 each year
If you’d like to be considered for the Alumni Board of Directors, please fill out the application form and return it to Alumni Engagement by March 15.
Alumni Directory
Saints Alumni Live All Over the World
Click the map above to find out where Saints alumni are living in the United States.
Stay in touch with your alma mater and your classmates!
This page can help you to locate fellow alums and allow us to track down Saints alums we have lost contact with.
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Online Alumni Directory: where Saints alumni have their contact information available for other alums to contact them. Not all of our alums are listed in the directory, as it is an opt-in directory.
Are you having trouble finding someone? Give us a call and we will help you reconnect with friends from Scholastica. We will not give out their contact information, but we will let them know you are trying to get in touch and pass along your information.
- Did you know over 16,000 Saints alumni are connected on LinkedIn? Find classmates from your graduation year, search by industry; you can even find alums by geographic territory!
School Spirit
The College of St. Scholastica shows their spirit in many ways, including the School Song, our fight song, cheer and Storm, our school mascot. Show your College spirit by visiting the Saints Shop to obtain your Saints gear.
Mascot
Storm was originally introduced in the early 1980s as the College’s athletics program mascot. Storm was re-introduced in 2001 with a new look.
School Song: Vivat St. Scholastica
Vivat! Vivat, St. Scholastica
Melody (adapted) from Reynaldo Hahn
Lyrics by Sister Loretta Sheehan
Vivat! Vivat, St. Scholastica.
To thy fame a tribute raise.
Fount of learning, forge of friendship
home of happy college days.
CHORUS:
Pledge we our faith to alma mater,
Pledge to her our heart and hand.
Where e’er we bide she’ll be our guide.
We will praise her throughout the land,
II
Lakes and hills and spreading campus,
All thy nat’ral charms we love.
And we glory in thy greatness
bless’d with favors from above.
III
When, in faith and knowledge grounded,
Enter we the world of strife;
May thy counsels, strong and holy,
aid us in our course thru life.
* You need RealPlayer installed to hear the song. Download a free copy from real.com.
Fight Song: Go St. Scholastica
Go, St. Scholastica, to you we will be true.
Raise up the banner for the gold and the blue.
Go, St. Scholastica, honor to your name.
Onward to vic’t’ry Saints, let’s win this game!
– Words and Music by Mary Lou Donovan
Fight Cheer
CSS, CSS, BLUE and GOLD,
CSS, CSS, BIG and BOLD!
– Cheer by Stacy Deadrick
Get Involved
Advocate for the Minnesota Grant Program
The Minnesota State Grant program helps students afford the colleges that best meet their needs.
There were 714 State Grant recipients at St. Scholastica last academic year — that is 27% of all undergraduates. The average State Grant award at the College was $5,422 per student per year. In total, nearly $3.9 million in State Grant Awards were made to St. Scholastica students.
Alumni, parents and friends of the College can join in the State Grant advocacy efforts by registering with the MN Private College Council (MPCC) to become an advocate. Please take a moment and complete the form below so our students will continue to receive aid that will help them reach their goals.
Alumni Affinity Groups
During our time together at St. Scholastica, we all had experiences that made our time at the College amazing and those experiences were made great because of the people involved with them! Student groups, Spring Break Trips, Classmates, Athletics, and beyond! We now want you to be able to continue and relive those experiences to AFFINITY AND BEYOND by joining or creating an Alumni Affinity Group!
What is an Affinity Group?
An Affinity Group is a group of individuals who come together because they have a common interest or have had common experiences. An example of an Alumni Affinity Group at St. Scholastica would be people who were Education Majors or who participated in Student Senate or were part of an athletics team while they attended the College.
Benefits to the College of having affinity groups
- Build/strengthen relationships
- Identify donors and/or trustees
- Identify mentors for current students
How do I join an Affinity Group?
Contact the Alumni Association
Benefits to the alum of being part of an affinity group
- Networking
- Learning
- Having fun
- Promoting your business
What if I want to start an Affinity Group? And what would I need to do if I were to lead one?
Contact the Alumni Association
Maintaining affinity groups
- Check-in
- Event planning
- Consistent communication
- Outcomes
- Monitoring postings
Alumni Awards
Each year the Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni and staff or faculty for their commitment and contributions to their community, their profession, the College, and the Benedictine values that continue to guide the work of the Saints Community. Recognizing alumni is the most prestigious honor the College bestows.
Please consider nominating an outstanding Saint for one of our six Alumni Awards.
The Sister Ann Edward Scanlon Award
This award honors alumni, who like Sister Ann Edward Scanlon, demonstrate dedication to improving their communities, and through this dedication or in addition to it, show exceptional commitment to the College.
Nomination deadline: March 1 (presented at the Annual All-Saints Reunion)
The Sister Alice Lamb Award
This award honors alumni who are well established in their careers, contribute significantly to their professions, and maintain enduring commitment to the College.
Nomination deadline: March 1 (presented at the Annual All-Saints Reunion)
The Sister Timothy Kirby Benedictine Spirit Award
This award honors alumni who credit the College by way of their professional achievements, and exemplify the Benedictine Values of Respect, Hospitality, Stewardship, Love of Learning, and Community.
Nomination deadline: March 1 (presented at the Annual All-Saints Reunion)
The Scholastica Inspiration Award
This award honors faculty or staff whose interest and concern for students have positively influenced the student community.
Nomination deadline: March 1 (presented at the Annual All-Saints Reunion)
The Young Alumni Achievement Award
This award honors alumni under age 40 who support the College with their time and/or talent and/or treasure, exhibit high achievement levels early in their careers, and live out the Benedictine values through service to others.
Nomination deadline: Aug. 8 (presented during Homecoming)
First-Gen Alumni Award
This award honors a first-generation alumna/us whose strengths, resiliency and lived experiences positively contributed to the St. Scholastica community.
Nomination deadline: Oct. 27 (presented during the Tri-Alpha Induction Ceremony in November)
Alumni Travel Program
Vancouver to Toronto by Rail
Sept. 12–18, 2024
Discover the majestic beauty of Canada on a nostalgic rail journey that brings back the golden age of train travel. The Canadian brings you landscapes as never seen any other way — in relaxed comfort and with unparalleled service. Glide through the snowy peaks of the magnificent Rockies through picturesque towns, gentle prairie fields, and rugged lake country to the city of Toronto. In addition to marveling at diverse landscapes, this restful journey provides delicious meals to savor and is a wonderful opportunity to experience so much of Canada in one unforgettable trip.
Highlights
- Enjoy the serenity of travel by rail
- Admire the vastness and diversity of Canada from your stateroom, or from seats in the domed observation car or Prestige Park lounge car
- Awake each day to majestic, panoramic views outside your cabin’s picture window
- Guided panoramic city tour of Vancouver
View Details and ItineraryReserve Your Spot
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Alumni Travel Program, contact Alumni Engagement.
Saints Heritage Club
Opening Convocation was held on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. Members of our Saints Heritage Club were honored and the freshman class was welcomed into the Saints Community. It continues to be a special tradition.
Volunteer Opportunities
St. Scholastica alumni give back in many ways. If you’re interested in being a class speaker, representative, champ or would like to become a mentor, contact Alumni Engagement at alumni@css.edu, 218-723-6071 for more information.
#SaintsDo
Saints Alumni Volunteer Program
The St. Scholastica Alumni network is over 30,000 strong! Saints alumni embody the Benedictine values and qualities that represent St. Scholastica, and we are pleased to provide our alumni with a wide range of opportunities to stay connected and benefit from being a Saint.
Alumni are the “living endowment” of any college. Without the passion, pride and care that alumni have for The College of St. Scholastica, and the skills, experiences and talents that volunteers bring, the campus would not continue to thrive for future generations of students. Caring, engaged alumni are vital to the strength and prominence of The College of St. Scholastica.
Volunteering is a great way to give back, or pay it forward and make a lasting impact.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Affinity Groups
- Legislative Advocates
- Admissions Ambassadors
- Events Support
- Alumni Volunteer Fundraiser
- Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Ambassador
- Student Support
- Social Media Ambassadors
- Alumni-Student Mentor Program
- Academic School Advisory Board
- Leadership
Contact Us
Alumni Engagement
Tower Hall, Room 1410
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
218-723-6071
alumni@css.edu
Andy Larson
Director of Alumni Engagement
218-723-6016
alarson7@css.edu
Brenda Kimlinger
Administrative Assistant
218-723-6071
bkimling@css.edu