The College of St. Catherine appoints interim vice president for development and external relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2000
Contact: Marcy Dowse, director of communications, (651) 690-6829, (612) 818-7432 pager

The College of St. Catherine appoints interim
vice president for development and external relations

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citing a strong business background, extensive fund raising experience, and wide spread community recognition for leadership and vision, Andrea J. Lee, IHM, president of the College of St. Catherine, today announced that Patricia A. Hvidston has accepted the position of interim vice president for development and external relations at the college. Ms. Hvidston will step in to fill the role being vacated by Randi S. N. Yoder, who is leaving the college in May to devote time to her family and home life.

“Pat has been associated with the College of St. Catherine for 38 years,” said Lee. “She was a student, an involved alum and most recently one of the Board of Trustees. Her deep commitment, coupled with her background as a business leader, fund raiser and in the non-profit community, suits her perfectly to be a part of the dynamic team of faculty, staff, students, alumnae and friends guiding the college to achieve its vision — To be the pre-eminent Catholic college educating women to lead and influence.”

“I want to also acknowledge the contributions that Randi Yoder has made to the college in her four years as vice president for institutional advancement. Randi has significantly improved the capacity of this institution to work with the community. Her leadership in development and communications brought together a staff that will influence the greater college community as the college implements its strategic vision. As a member of the administrative team, she has helped to strengthen the identity of the college in our community, increase the resources available to the college, build partnerships that benefit our students, faculty, and community, and lay the ground work for a dynamic future at
St. Kate's. I respect her decision to commit her energies to her family, but all of us at the college will miss her,” said Lee.

As interim vice president for development and external relations, Hvidston will direct and guide college fund-raising, communications and programming for The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium. She will work closely with leadership throughout the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota to develop partnerships with academic programs, for student internships, and to secure the funding necessary to support the critical programs at the College of St. Catherine.

“St. Kate’s has made tremendous contributions to the Twin Cities community for 95 years,” said Hvidston. “As an alumna, I have always been proud to claim St. Kate’s as my educational foundation. I look forward to working throughout the state and nationally to develop and strengthen the relationships that are critical to continuing the success of the college into a second century of operation. I look forward to working with Sister Andrea and her talented administrative team and the Board of Trustees. The future for this institution is bright and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to achieving the vision.”

The College of St. Catherine will begin a national search for a permanent replacement for Yoder.

Hvidston, a resident of St. Paul and Hovland, Minn., most recently has been working as a consultant with non-profit organizations ranging from social action organizations to healthcare and religious organizations. From 1998-99, she served as the interim president of the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Prior to beginning her consulting work, Ms. Hvidston worked for many years in the banking industry in the Twin Cities. Her career in banking began with of what was then known as First Trust Company of Saint Paul, now US Bank. Her last position in banking was as the president of the Firstar Bank of Minnesota, N.A. Trust Division.

In addition to her highly successful business career, Ms. Hvidston has been an active community volunteer serving on the boards of organizations such as the College of St. Catherine, the Catholic Community Foundation, the Minnesota Club, the United Way of St. Paul, Schubert Club and the St. Paul YWCA. She is a frequent lecturer on planned giving, career development and personal financial strategies.

The College of St. Catherine is currently focused on implementing a strategic plan that encompasses plans for growth and development throughout the college. Focusing on “re-imagining women’s education,” the plan calls for the college to strengthen its leadership role in academics, community partnerships, as a Catholic institution, and as a school which reaches and embraces students of diversity and economic hardship.

The College of St. Catherine is the largest Catholic college for women in the country. It is a comprehensive college offering bachelor’s, master’s and associate degrees in liberal arts and sciences, healthcare and professional studies on two campuses. With a total enrollment of 4,372, there are 2,546 undergraduate students and 805 graduate students in St. Paul and 929 undergraduate students and 93 graduate students on the Minneapolis campus.

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