Published on: Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Senior River boat with my best friend since 2nd Grade
SPOILER ALERT: The next few blogs may be very reflective and all about senior activities. The cause for this recurring theme is that I have 18 more days of being a Undergraduate college student! YIKES
Two business students ready to take on Corporate America
This past weekend a few entrepreneurial students decided to host a river boat on the Mississippi River for the class of 2012. It was a great time. Being upperclassman has its perks like registering early, internships and many others but having moved off campus it is rare that you and all your friends are in one place at one time. It was great to see everyone out on the boat. It was fun, it was like freshman year all over again. It was amazing to see where the class of 2012 is going to go and work and how we have all grown up so much!
Maybe we haven't grown up that much...
In 18 days we will all be getting ready to put on that cap and gown and to hear our name called and walk across the stage. I can still remember the first day of moving into Brady hall! People say that college are the best years of your life, and I don’t know if they were the best but they sure were the fastest four years!
My Girlfriend and I on the boat!
Now just a few more days, those last few papers and assignments and then our last finals of our college careers!!!! Back to studying. Spring semester seniors are like the children’s book about the little engine that could. I think I can I think I can make it to graduation!
Now back to studying... two more weeks!
In the words of 90′s pop singer Vitamin C …”As we go on, We remember, All the times we, Had together, And as our lives change, From whatever, We will still be, Friends Forever”
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Thursday, April 19, 2012
- Freshman Year!
This past week my academic advisor sent me the above picture. It was taken my freshman year when I decided to enter the college of business. It seems like just yesterday I was moving into Brady Hall in August of 2008. This has been the shortest four years of my life. I am excited for the next step but boy will I miss St. Thomas.
A lot has changed on campus in 4 years
A lot has changed on campus in the past four years. The class of 2012 has seen the construction of the Anderson Student center and Anderson Athletic and Recreation center. We have seen the AACSB accreditation of the Opus College of Business we have met classmates and friends from all of the United States and abroad. Some of us have studied abroad, had internships, played in national championships…etc. It has been a wild ride and I am really looking forward to the entire class really coming together one last time before we all leave the quad out through the arches as college grads. Our
Senior Week and Grad Fest will really bring the class together for a twins game, a dance a laser tag event in the student center and so much more. I am going to miss this place but am ready to leave. Can’t wait to walk through the historic St. Thomas arches in a few weeks as a new college graduate! Yippee
March through the Arches
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Thursday, April 12, 2012
For several months two classmates and I have been working with a small business called Lone Oak Market in Eagan, MN. With assistance from Eagan Sam’s Club and the staff at Lone Oak Market, we have worked on business improvement projects that have increased the Lone Oak Market deli capacity by
392% and developed more efficient lighting that will save over
$1500 a month in energy costs. Working with Students in Free Enterprise or
SIFE a club at St. Thomas and our advisor we completed this project.
SIFE team with Tony the owner of Lone Oak Market
At the Lone Oak Market, we worked with owner Tony Donatell to identify ways to make his business more efficient and cost-effective. The group focused on improving two aspects of Tony’s business: sustainability and business process. Two of the team members brought their experience from this past summer serving as Business Analyst Interns at Target in Minneapolis, MN and I brought a different perspective from working as a procurement intern with Nestle in St. Louis, MO. The experiences we had at our reflective internships this past summer and what we learned in a quality management class we all took together last semester we definitely brought some good experience to the project but, boy did we learn a lot. We definitely made plenty of mistakes along the way but as a group we remained resilient and most importantly were determined to improve business for Tony and the staff, whom we got to know quite well.
SIFE Project Managers
This project was not only a SIFE project but we were also working on getting our Green Belt Certification. Earning a Six Sigma Green Belt , is first level of formal certification in Six Sigma Methodology. Professor and department chair Dr. John Olson taught the quality class that we all took last semester and was the one, who supervised us through the certification process and also created the opportunity for certification. Regular customers will notice speedier service at the deli, better signage, more accessible pop machines and condiments, and new brighter energy efficient lighting. According to Tony(Owner of Lone Oak ), “The students have been great. I’ve always wanted to make upgrades like this since I bought the Lone Oak Market two years ago but I’ve never been able to find the time and the resources. The SIFE team inspired me not only to make changes now, but I also have plans for more changes in the future.”
If you are ever on 35 E on your way to Lakeville or Eagan stop by at Lone Oak Market off of Lone Oak Road for a sandwich or some gas. You will find speedy and delicious lunches and great customer service. It has been so much fun working on this project. It was like our first “consulting” job for the three of us. We have learned a lot and will bring these experiences with us into our careers upon graduation this spring. Read more about what we did
here!
Lone Oak Market
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Thursday, March 15, 2012
AACSB Ice Design in front of Schultze Hall on Mpls campus
This past semester St. Thomas Opus College of Business was granted its
AACSB accreditation award. AACSB stands for The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. St. Thomas is the first private school in Minnesota to achieve this certification. This helps highlight St. Thomas on the national stage. This is an award for the current students, future students and alumni to all be proud of. With the leadership of Dean Puto and the faculty and staff of the college of business this was all made possible.
MPLS Campus Skyline
From a current students perspective it is great to be able to walk into a job interview and be able to say you are graduating from an AACSB accredited school. St. Thomas has always had a great reputation here in the twin cities but having this accreditation will make a St. Thomas degree to be more nationally and internationally relevant. The college of business has always had a great reputation and produced high quality students and this certification just reaffirms the quality of the instruction and instructors at St. Thomas.
John Taft CEO of RBC Wealth Management
St. Thomas prepares you for the real world like I mentioned in my last post, but it is not just through classroom experience it is by connecting us with all the alumni in the twin cities. Bringing in industry professionals to talk about live problems their companies are facing. John Taft from RBC Wealth Management and Ron James from the Business Ethics Foundation came and spoke to us about ethics in the work place. These events are just as important (arguably) as what we do in the classroom. St. Thomas has also now jumped up in their ranking in U.S. news ranking.
St. Thomas is now ranked 104th out of 446 AACSB accredited schools. It is a great time to be a Tommie! Sun is out, midterms are over and as of Friday at 9 am I am officially on SPRING BREAK! I wish everyone a blessed and happy weekend!
Tommie Business students ready to take on the world!
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Nestle in the Pantry
The weather is getting nicer outside. Midterm assignments and tests are in full swing and spring break is right around the corner! There are only 3 months until GRADUATION! It is a crazy feeling thinking that in 75 days I will be done with my undergraduate career here at St. Thomas and in 95 days I will be starting my full time job with Nestle! It is hard to beleive that just four short years ago my parents were dropping me off at Brady Hall. It has been a great four years here at St. Thomas. there has been some major changes to campus from the new Anderson Athletic and Recreation center to the new Anderson Student Center.
Nestle in your fridge
St. Thomas has prepared me well to enter the world of work. I have been blessed with amazing teachers and great mentors in my career here at St. Thomas. I am now ready to tackle, or be tackled by corporate America. I am very excited to start my career with Nestle. They have many products that are household staples and a wide portfolio of products. I will be moving to St. Louis after graduation in May. I will be in their procurement and supply chain group. Majoring in Supply chain and Operations management has allowed me exposure to everything from logistics, to quality control to procurement. After four years of classes, internships, study abroad experiences and faith formation, St. Thomas has armed me as a well rounded individual to enter the workforce.
Nestle in your freezer
St. Thomas is a great school that will prepare you for a career in many fields and arm you with the skills you need to be successful.
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
- Beautiful snow covered streets of St. Paul
If you did not notice yet or are still sleeping it snowed last night. It was not the nice flurries we all enjoy it was the wet heavy snow. I was hoping to relive last year’s winter with the snow days we had but I was in no such luck to have a snow day today. I brushed off my car drove cautiously to campus and then made the walk from the parking ramp to class. I walked through puddles that seem to be as long and as deep as the Lake of the Woods and sat through class with soaking shoes and socks. I did begin to realize that I love St. Thomas but could do without the Minnesota winters.
Winter Wonderland
Don’t get me wrong one of my favorite things to do in the winter is to go ice fishing. It is relaxing, I am in nature and find it to be very soothing. However walking through puddle after puddle nearly getting sprayed by a plow passing down Summit avenue is not my idea of winter fun. But I suppose putting up with all the pains of winter allow me to enjoy ice fishing and many other winter past times. It seems though this year we have had a very mild winter which has limited the ability for me to go ice fishing but we still have to deal with freezing rain and unpleasant walks through campus.
The UST Fishing club was still able to go out once this year. We went to Red Lake this year and it was a good time despite the lack of ice across the state this year.
Tommie Media Article about our trip! It is always fun to get a group of people together and head out on the lake whether it is a frozen lake in the winter or a beautiful blue lake in the summer Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes. I suppose I am just a bit upset at the weather today and the fact that a few of my friends had their classes canceled while I am walking to campus and sitting here now with soaking socks and shoes. I guess it is just another day in the life of a Tommie.
Hanging out in the Ice House!
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
- The Mark of Ash Wednesday
Today was Ash Wednesday and being a Catholic University you saw many students with the mark of ashes drawn across their foreheads to mark the time of Lent and to remember that we are all sinners. To become better people we must realize our faults and try and work to overcome our human errors. Lent is a very reflective time for many yet we all know that in 40 days we will be able to celebrate in the salvation that is Jesus Christ at Easter. Many people when they hear about Lent they always think about what people are going to give up or go with out. They think of fasting and fish. Some may think of confession and reflection. I have gone to Catholic schools my whole life and it was always the big discussion at the lunch table on Ash Wednesday on what we were giving up for Lent. Some would say they were giving up chocolate, or TV or some would say they were giving up homework just to be funny.
I had a teacher in high school that would challenge us to give up one thing and then try and improve our realshionship with God or one with someone as well. I really liked this becasue we were giving something up to remind ourselves to live a more simple life but we were also trying to strengthen our realshionship with God. My favorite bible verse comes from the book of Luke. It is Luke 2:52 and it reads “and Jesus increased in Wisdom and Stature and in favor with God and Man.” It is my favorite passage beacause it is one of the only passages we see Jesus as a young person and it is something I try and think about everyday. How did I grow in stature, wisdom or in favor with God or Man today. To learn more about
Ash Wednesday you can read a good summary about it here. Lent is really about us reaffirming our baptismal commitments and growing in our faith and relationship with God and others. The next time someone asks you about what you gave up for Lent say I gave up … but I also am working on becoming a better person by… It is a good exercise and I guarantee you that trying to improve yourself or your relationship with God is a lot harder than just giving up soda.
Many UST students and community members recieved their ashes today at the beautiful St. Thomas Chapel today.
The
Pope talks about Lent, is a great video that is very short that gives you a very clear understanding about what we as Catholics must try and do during Lent. I hope that you are all enjoying the snowfall that we received this week. It finally looks like Minnesnowta should in winter! I love the snow but am looking forward to a warm and sunny spring! Hopefully we will have the sun and warmth back in 40 days!
” Be Merciful to me, O God, be Merciful to me, for my soul confides in you.”
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Sunday, February 12, 2012
- Didier Drogba in his Chelsea FC Jersey
After studying abroad for just a month it really changed how I viewed the world and also how much I began to appreciate soccer. There are horrible conflicts going on all over the world: on the Ivory Coast, in northern Ireland and in the Middle East. It seems like no one has the solution to get all of these sides to get together and to talk out their issues. We fear that which we do not know or understand and one idea that seems to be gaining popluarity is getting to know about others through common interests, such as sports, to reduce that fear. Soccer in the United states is not as big as it is in Europe, but is growing. Soccer (or Futbol) translates to almost every language and is followed and adored in almost every country all around the world.
Didier Drogba plays for Chelsea FC in the Barclays Premier Cup league. He is a great player and, because of the way futbol is set up, he also gets to play for the Ivory Coast during the World Cup. The way soccer is starting to represent social change and political shifts is huge. You have seen this in Spain and in the Ivory coast and you see people regardless of creed, race, or socioeconomic class rally behind their favorite sports teams. If even for just one Sunday or one match, there seems to be unity and peace amongst those that have fought against each other all week.
As I began to adjust the past few weeks of life back in St. Paul, I realized how diverse St. Thomas truly is. I mean there have always been a mix of students on campus but I began to appreciate the diversity on campus much more after walking the streets of London. It got me thinking about how soccer could change the world. We have seen soccer and the World Cup and the Olympics stir conversations surrounding social change, and even movies such as Invicitus have been made about how sports can be used to start political conversations. There are even groups like this in Brazil and Argentina that are using their love for soccer to bring people together. Kickstarting social change through a love of soccer.
Invictus the movie about Rugby and Social Change
St. Thomas is trying its hand at spreading the love of futbol and a few students are trying to put together a UST Futbol Club called UST FC (very Creative I know). UST Futbol Club Page! St. Thomas prides itself of teaching its students the things they need to be ethical, moral business leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and engineers. They are teaching us to challenge ourselves and change our world. Learning how to bridge socioeconomic or racial gaps through common interests is a skill and I am excited to say this club could help do this. Here at UST we have over 135 different clubs and organizations on campus. To start your own club all you need is 10 friends a faculty advisor and a club constitution. Starting a club or joining a club is a great way to get involved, meet new people, and learn about leadership. With a strong academic skill set, conversations and appreciation for liberal arts, St. Thomas is trying to have you “write the future” as seen by this Nike ad below.
Write the future. An Ad campaign in South Aftrica at the World Cup!
Posted in On Campus Activites, Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hello everyone. I apologize for not blogging for over a month I was busy eating tea and biscuits and touring London and Ireland and ran out of time to sit down and write a blog. I am back in the states now and ready to blog! Here at St. Thomas we have a great schedule in which we have four months for fall semester and then four months for spring semester. Then you have the month of January off. We call this term J- Term. You can take a class at St. Thomas, you can go home and work, you can do a research project or service project or you can go abroad. This J Term I decided to go abroad. I took a communication and journalism course called Gender, Race, Class and Mass Media in London.
Brazen Head in Dublin. The Oldest Pub in Ireland
London Bridges Falling down
Being in London for a month was fantastic. We were able to see all the touristy things like Big Ben, The London eye, Tower of London and many other historic sites. Everyday we were there we toured a museum or a historic site or saw a play. It was a month jam packed full of activity. Out of all the places we went and things we saw I personally loved touring the Winston Churchill War rooms, eating on Brick Lane and the BBC tour. The class was very engaging and challenging because we were looking at such broad topics such as gender, race and class along with British identity. We just dropped in for a few weeks and tried to see how people in Great Britain view those broad topics and how they differ from how we consume our media in the United States. It was a nice balance between classroom instruction and site seeing around London. It was great to go over and really break down the constructed mass media messages we were analyzing in the news and on TV.
Outside of Kensington Palace
A month study abroad trip is perfect for those that have not yet traveled abroad or for those that want to make multiple trips abroad while in college. It is perfect you are spending enough time in a particular city or country to be more than a tourist and you leave before anyone gets too homesick. It was a great experience from the food to the sites to the people you meet on the street or in a pub. Studying abroad really can change your perspective on life. I arrived back on campus with a new worldly perspective a hunger for more knowledge and an empty bank account.
2012 Olympic Site
St. Thomas every year sends about 1000 students abroad. Some for a month, a semester or a year. It is a great opportunity that I would encourage all students to take if they have the opportunity too. Due to all the great things I got to see while I was in London and in Dublin I couldn’t just pick a few photos so here are a few extra pictures i just had to post. After seeing a English futbol match, having Jameson and Guinness straight from the factory, touring the BBC, watching the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and “tebowing” Abbey Road. It is hard to come back to little old St. Paul. It was a great experience. I can not wait to go back to London!! Now I have to buckle down and finnish my last semester as a undergraduate at the university of St. Thomas. Yikes!
View from the London Eye
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
Published on: Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sandwiches for all
Today was “study Thursday” this was the first year St. Thomas had a study Thursday. We always have one day of studying before finals and it traditionally has been “study Monday”. This year due to the change in our final schedules we are actually having the first day of finals tomorrow on the 16th! It has been a tradition for as long as I have been here at St. Thomas that St. Thomas Activities and Recreation ( STAR) and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) sponsor a finals feed on the study day. We always have warm apple cider, cookies some free give aways and of course sandwiches!!
Just a few cold cuts like 80 feet?
It is always great to do this one last event for the semester. It is pretty easy we just have to set up the tables and cut the sub. Hundreds of students came by this evening to refuel eat some food and head back to the library. The week before finals is always a stressful one and we all seem to have our diets fail. This is always a nice event to see a ton of your friends and classmates and make sure at least they eat one good meal today. It was a bit nostalgic for me and for many other students. This will be our last “finals feed” at the grill in Murray Herrick. Next “finals feed” will be in the new ANDERSON STUDENT CENTER! Woop Woop!
Look at all those Sammies!
It has been a crazy few weeks we have been prepping for final tests, papers and presentations. The executive board members on USG have also been trying to go through and clean out our offices and to pack for the big move to the Anderson Student Center. It is so exciting to think in just a few short weeks we will all be in the Anderson Student Center! Stay tuned for pictures from the new office and the new student center in January.
Cookies on Cookies!
Of Course no late night meal is complete without a little dessert. Nothing like a sub sandwich, warm apple cider and a warm cookie to make studying in the library for eight hours more enjoyable. I hope that everyone has a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New year!! Three more days and then it is Christmas Vacation! I cant wait. Hopefully we will have a white Christmas. One can only hope!
Posted in Uncategorized |
No Comments »
