St. Kate’s News
Julie Michener
Phone: (651) 690-6521
Cell: (651) 253-8931
Fax: (651) 690-6042
jcmichener@stkate.edu
Amy Gage
Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: (651) 690-6829
Cell: (612) 381-4110
agage@stkate.edu
Contact St. Kate's
June 1 marks St. Kate's first day as St. Catherine University
By Amy Gage and Julie Michener
June 17, 2009
It's official!
After a year's worth of planning and a daunting amount of work by Trustees, faculty and staff members — indeed, by the entire St. Kate's community — the College of St. Catherine has become St. Catherine University.
More than 250 members of the St. Kate's community celebrated the University's first day. Photo by
Maha El-Wailli, University marketing and communications staff.
On a bright and sunny Monday, more than 250 members of the St. Kate's community gathered at the St. Catherine main gate to celebrate the inauguration of St. Catherine University.
The crowd was welcomed by Vice President for External Relations Marjorie Mathison Hance '70 who introduced President Andrea J. Lee, IHM, as the "first president of St. Catherine University."
The monument sign at gates 1 and 2 as well as light-pole banners, feature elements of the rose window in Our Lady of Victory Chapel, a key component of the University logo designed by St. Catherine Art Director Carol Evans-Smith.
"The rose window is not only a lovely, familiar and enduring visual image of St. Catherine," said Lee. "It is also, for me, a wonderfully evocative shape suggesting community and collaboration — two hallmarks of the educational experience we offer at St. Catherine University.
"The rose window’s nearly transparent glass, which we have recreated in this sign, both lets in light and allows students to view the world through a clear lens," the President said. "The window symbolizes our rich Catholic heritage and identity. It symbolizes hope and possibility."
Taking a pair of large scissors, and with videographers and photographers recording the moment, Sister Andrea cut the ribbons strung across the St. Catherine main gate.
University President Andrea J. Lee, IHM (center) processes with members of the
University's founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Photo by Maha El-Wailli.
Following music and prayers, light refreshments (including U-shaped doughnuts) were served on the Chapel portico facing Dew Drop Pond.
Celebration continues Monday evening
Monday evening was the annual President's Forum dinner to recognize donors for their support and loyalty. The event began with a service in Our Lady of Victory Chapel with Archbishop Emeritus Harry J. Flynn presiding. It culminated in a gala dinner during which Sister Andrea reviewed the 104-year history of the institution, complete with music from different eras.
University is culmination of a multi-year process
Since the founding of weekend college more than 30 years ago, the College of St. Catherine has been developing as a comprehensive university with a premier baccalaureate college for women at its heart.
St. Kate's is the only private institution in Minnesota to confer degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels. It offers two clinical doctorates and eight master's programs as well as 11 programs at the associate level.
More information, including an historical historical perspective and how the change process was managed, can be found at the "Becoming a University" website.
News coverage
Jana Shortal from KARE-11 filed this story Monday evening, Minnesota Public Radio Higher Education Reporter Tim Post interviewed Senior Vice President Colleen Hegranes for a story that aired Monday and the Star Tribune Higher Education Reporter Jenna Ross had a news article Saturday.
Contact Amy Gage and Julie Michener, (651) 690-6521
