Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

08/21/2026

Saint Mary’s will host the Benedict XVI Centenary Conference Nov. 2-3 at the Minneapolis Campus, featuring keynote speaker His Eminence Kurt Cardinal Koch.

This international celebration commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope Benedict XVI. Gather with scholars, educators, students, and Church leaders from around the world to explore the enduring relevance of Benedict’s thought and his vision for a culture renewed by beauty, faith, reason, and hope.

Register now at smumn.edu/benedict-xvi-conference.

08/20/2026

He once hated school. Now, he has dedicated his life to helping others succeed.

Timothy Raymond D’25 knows that success doesn’t always follow a traditional path. After struggling in school as a student, he went on to become an educator, principal, district administrator, and Doctor of Education graduate.

Through his journey at Saint Mary’s, Dr. Raymond discovered that the people around him made all the difference. From supportive mentors to dedicated professors, his experience reminded him that growth happens when we have people who believe in us.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4zhZ13f

08/18/2026

The Lord Chamberlain's Men is a premier all male theater company based out of the United Kingdom. They perform William Shakespeare's plays as he would have seen them, with authentic dress, music, and dance. Soon they willl be performing for YOU right here in Winona!

Join us Friday, Oct. 2 for Othello as The Lord Chamberlain's Men return to Saint Mary's for their second American tour. The performance will take place at 7 p.m. in the Page Theatre. Tickets are $25. Save your spot now! https://bit.ly/4fS7fHi

08/17/2026

Lawrence 'Larry' Price, J.D. had a teaching style that may have evolved over the course of time at Saint Mary's, but the dedication and care he had for his students always remained the same. Price first began teaching for our Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs in 2001 before joining our undergraduate College in 2008. As a professor in the Business and Communication Department, he strived to make lessons entertaining and fun for students.

He says the Christian Brothers had a large influence on him, who taught him to put students in a position to succeed. He is most proud of the excitement he incited in students to keep learning. In retirement, he hopes to adjunct teach some courses, compose music, visit his daughter in Berlin, and maybe even write a book! Thank you for all you have given to the Saint Mary's community!

Read more about Dr. Price: https://bit.ly/4xGcCQ4

08/14/2026

Her summer job? Live trapping flying squirrels for research.

For environmental biology major Celia Midtbo, learning goes far beyond the classroom. From studying wildlife in the bluffs surrounding Saint Mary’s to gaining hands-on experience through GeoSpatial Services, she’s building the skills to pursue a future in wildlife conservation.

It’s opportunities like these, and the close knit campus community that make the Saint Mary’s experience unique.

Read Celia’s story and discover where curiosity can take you.

When she's not working in admissions over the summer, Celia Midtbo is live-trapping squirrels in the bluffs that surround campus. Comparing Minnesota flying squirrels to southern squirrels, Midtbo is studying [...]

08/13/2026

Janet Byrnes earned her Master’s in Health and Human Services Administration in 1985. Her first courses were held at what is now M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital and, about halfway through, she transferred to Saint Mary’s newly established graduate campus in Minneapolis.

Nearly 40 years later, in 2024, Melissa Markfort received her MBA from Saint Mary’s by attending online courses. Despite their different methods of learning, both alumnae attest to the supportive community at Saint Mary's and how their degrees helped them in their careers.

Read more about Byrnes and Markfort's experience with our graduate programs: https://bit.ly/4vOeTYa

Programs adapt to needs of adult learners Janet Byrnes earned her Master's in Health and Human Services Administration in 1985. Her first courses were held at what is now M [...]

08/11/2026

From a promise to her grandfather to becoming a leader in mental health, the journey of Lydia Majors-Roland M'13, D'26 is one of purpose, perseverance, and service.

A two-time Saint Mary’s alumna, Dr. Majors-Roland shares how earning her Doctor of Education in Leadership strengthened her ability to lead, mentor others, and make a lasting impact in her community.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3Ur47tI

Lydia Majors-Roland M'13, D'26 -- as co-founder and co-CEO of Ainga Mental Health and Consulting in Minneapolis -- says the best part of her job is seeing the transformation that [...]

08/04/2026

From pay phones to cell phones, group televisions to one in every room, and curfews — alumni ranging from the classes of 1966 to 2026 discussed the many ways Saint Mary’s has changed through the decades, as well as the ways it hasn't: in the lifelong friendships, transformational faculty and education, and the community feel that keeps them connected.

Though much has changed, heart stays the same Alumni ranging from the classes of 1966 to 2026 discussed the many ways Saint Mary's has changed through the decades: from pay [...]

07/30/2026

Beth Martinka M’22 knows what it’s like to be in a new situation, taking courses and navigating the unknown of higher education. So as a mental health counselor at Saint Mary’s Winona Campus, she is now able to use her experiences to help students, providing the same high level of support she received as a student in Saint Mary’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Martinka has been familiar with Saint Mary’s for more than 20 years. She worked at Saint Mary’s Press — located on the Winona Campus — in design and publishing. When she began looking at a career change, she didn’t need to look far to find the school she would attend, and the MSW program was a perfect fit. She regularly uses what she learned in her day to day work, and enjoys connecting with students on campus.

Read more about Martinka:

Beth Martinka M'22 knows what it's like to be in a new situation, taking courses and navigating the unknown of higher education. So as a mental health counselor at Saint [...]

07/28/2026

The early years of women's athletics looked very different than it does today, but thanks to pioneering alumnae like Bruna Bucciarelli B'76, Jane (Troller) Wood B'78, and Marge Nabzdyk '79, women's sports at Saint Mary's began to grow into a greater community.

They worked as trainers and managers, often doing their own recruiting to build established teams. They often had to fight to be noticed, but they did what they had to do to compete. Now half a century later, female athletes at Saint Mary's look back to those that paved the way for them and strive to keep their legacy alive with every practice and game.

Read more about the history of women's athletics at Saint Mary's:

Alumnae pioneers pave the way The early years of women's athletics at Saint Mary's can best be described as “cobbled together.” There were no concession stands, and though supported, the [...]