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Student Profiles

Catholic Residences, Student Profiles

A “Fresh” Perspective

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 As a Freshmen in college there is always the struggle of adapting to a whole new atmosphere and way of living. Only after a month’s time, however, the campus is referred to as “home” and before we know it, total strangers become the best of friends.

As a Southern Belle from deep in the heart of Texas, coming to the University of St. Thomas was a whole new experience.  The past six weeks have come and gone with a never-ending flow of fun-filled activities, a desk constantly cluttered with an oncoming flow of homework, and the comforting unity of fellow students. Minoring in the Catholic Studies Program provides me with the ability to study more deeply what is most important to me: my Catholic faith. While delving into the full college experience, there is also the opportunity to immerse myself in the solace of a spiritual regimen. The Chapel becomes a safe haven in which I am relieved of all forms of stress.  The many trials that accompany the every day life of a student are triumphed by the joys and exhilarating moments spent not only with supportive friends but also with our Lord present in the most Blessed Sacrament.

~Alexandria

Social Events, Student Profiles

SJV Homecoming Float: The Dolorian

Posted by Anthony, UST Senior
Hard hats, saws, nail guns, noise complaints, saw dust, lots of coffee (some tobacco may also have been present), shouting foremen, crews working the normal business day to shame to meet deadline, an electrician, and even an on sight firefighter. Multimillion dollar construction contract in South Saint Paul? No way. Five hundred dollar construction contract in the middle of Saint Paul. More specifically, the 2009 Saint John Vianney Seminary’s homecoming float worksite.
In regards to the float contest, the seminarians have notoriously swept the homecoming “field” for as long as present memory can recall, regardless of the blue ribbon commission’s ultimate decision. A pirate ship, armed with candy lobbing cannons; a two-story castle, whose climax was a Lord-of-the-Rings styled battle between a twenty foot long dragon, his league of orcish minions and no less than forty armored knights ; and the Tommie version of the Trojan horse, which at first appeared like a slightly obtuse football—until it paused in front of the judges and (miraculously) became a football field housing a team Tommie football players.
This year was no different. The Sems warmed themselves that snowy October morning with the literally flamethrowing exhaust of their biblically proportioned Dolorian, which came complete with fully functioning, horizontally hinged doors and an endearing white haired Doc at its helm. And in tribute to the “125 Years” theme, the 125 or so seminarians that did not play main characters of the Back to the Future trilogy donned white shirts with years 1985-2009 stenciled front and back in black spray paint, and walked in single file line, thus creating wonderful visual pun.
Unfortunately, neither the time-line, nor endearing doc, nor even the hot Dolorian could secure for them the win. Apparently, despite the snow that the Sems ordered in that morning, the fire-extinguisher-bearing fire fighter, and the clearly competent scientist present (he was even wearing a white lab jacket for godsakes), the judges did not score the float well in the “safety” category. Which apparently is a scoring category.
Oh well. Maybe this year’s loss will motivate an even more massive float next year. Who knows… only time will tell.

Classes, Faith and Career, Student Profiles

Catholic Studies and Science

Posted by Matthew, UST Senior, Chemistry and Catholic Studies
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I could not really picture what my college experience would be like if I had not chosen to be a Catholic Studies major. The courses, by design, target the person as a whole seeking to advance the intellect and increase a person’s capacity for learning in a way that, in my opinion, no other department at St. Thomas can replicate. One would think that that my mind would be in two parallel worlds if I was studying Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics at the same time as the Life and Thought of Cardinal Newman and Pathways and Practices of Christian Spirituality; however, it is quite the contrary. Catholic Studies combines faith and reason together, without compromising either, to create a fulfilling and deeply humanizing atmosphere. The philosophical, historical, and theological aspects of Catholic Studies courses have improved my analytical skills by teaching me to examine a subject logically, from a historical context, and with prudence. Chemistry has given me a sense of how little we actually understand about the natural world and, as a result, manifests how important it is to study our, as Chesterton says, “little sister earth” with a rational, ethical, and an imaginative procedure.

Student Profiles

Summer Student Profile: John Rogers

Posted by John, Catholic Studies Master of Arts student
boardgameJohn Rogers here. I’m a Catholic Studies Master of Arts student, and I’ve spent the last two summers as the event coordinator for the Church and the Biomedical Revolution faculty seminars. During the school year, I attend CSMA classes part-time and work full-time as a teacher at Saint Thomas Academy in St. Paul, MN. This summer I took “Paul’s Letters” with Dr. Martens and an independent study on “Phenomenology and the Theology of Disclosure” with Dr. Wojda.
After summer classes ended, I hit the road with my friend Russell Shurts, who will be entering the UST Master’s in Engineering program in the fall. We headed to Lancaster, PA, and spent a week competing in the 19th annual World Boardgaming Championships. This convention is a chance for 2000+ boardgaming enthusiasts to test their mettle and play their favorite games. A lot of the events at the WBC are either European-style games (popular ones in the U.S. include Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Power Grid) or strategic/war games (Risk and Axis & Allies being two of the best known). It’s also a great opportunity to try out games that are brand new or currently in development.
Perhaps my favorite event at the WBC was the Here I Stand tournament. Here I Stand is a six-player war/political/religious game about the Wars of the Reformation. Players control either the Protestants, Papacy, English, French, Hapsburgs, or Ottomans and try to score points by capturing cities, converting areas to their religion, exploring the Americas, etc. I advanced to the semifinals in this event and had a blast meeting lots of people who are as interested in this period of history as I am! In addition, I was able to try out “Small World” (pictured above) early on in the week. I liked it so much I purchased it at a discount in the Dealers’ Room on Thursday, and played it four more times throughout the week. It’s a fast-paced, multiplayer game of territory control. This is the sort of game I knew I could quickly introduce to my family. They really enjoy it!
If you want to learn more about my trip, or about board games in general, please visit my blog about board games: Margin of Victory.
johnandruss_aug20

Student Profiles

Summer Student Profile: Liz Jamison: Summer Camp

Posted by Liz, UST Junior, Political Science and Catholic Studies
camp_aug03I have been going to summer camp since I was 10. I love the magic of summer camp; the evening activities, skits, campfire, making s’mores, and fingernail polish parties with the other girls in my cabin. In fact, even before school got out for the summer, I was counting down the days until camp. It should be no surprise that I decided to work as a counselor at Camp Birchwood for girls in Northern Minnesota. This summer I have found myself challenged as my job duties include not only instructing wilderness activities and living with a cabin of campers, but also planning and leading camping trips. The most memorable trip for me was a 6-night trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). My co-counselor, Kat, and I took seven 12-14 year olds (as many as we could take on our permit) on the Alpine Loop route, leaving from Grand Marais, MN. The BWCA is comprised of many lakes, rivers and islands, and for those of you who have never been, I recommend that you add it to your “bucket list” right away. During the day, we canoed 4-6 hours, stopping for a lunch break around 1 pm. Upon arrival to our campsite each evening, we would guide the campers through setting up tents, preparing the fire, cooking, tying the bear bag (for food/scented items), and practicing the “Leave No Trace” principles to protect the land so that someday my campers’ grandchildren can enjoy the same beautiful landscape as we did.
One of the first nights on trail, we went around in a circle and shared our goals for the trip. I had two goals that I expressed out loud: that I would have a meaningful conversation with each camper during the trip and that I would increase my ability to rely on the land for my basic necessities and practice living simply. At the beginning of the summer during staff training week, each staff member added a line to the camp’s 2009 summer mission statement. My addition was that this summer each girl who went on a trip would feel beautiful and strong at the conclusion of the trip. I believe they each accomplished this, and will continue to enjoy the outdoors and be open to the possibilities that they face as they get are reaching their high school years. They acquired the skills of building a fire (even when our matches were basically duds), living off the land, and enjoying each other’s company through conversations, a scarcity in a society where technology is heralded because it is convenient, albeit increasingly impersonal.
At St. Thomas’ Catholic Studies department, we have tremendous role models to look up to in our professors, priests, upperclassmen, and seminarians. They are such advocates for the faith and really embody Christ in their words and actions. I have always felt like I have someone to go to when I am struggling or want to share good news about a personal matter or academic triumph. This summer, I have learned how humbling it is to find myself in a position where I am a role model for others. At camp, how I act and how I carry myself leaves a lasting impression on the campers, not only those who live in my cabin, but also those to whom I teach canoeing or rock climbing. Now more than ever, these girls need solid role models who are identifiable and living happy and positive lives. This summer, I have had the opportunity to grow as a leader and mentor, while encouraging the girls who come to camp to take healthy risks and create lasting memories with their friends. Being a camp counselor certainly keeps me busy, but I am loving every second of it!

Student Profiles

Summer Student Profile: Sarah White – “Praise Him With Dancing”

Follow the Catholic Studies blog as it profiles iits students and their summer activities and plans.
Posted by Sarah, UST Senior, Catholic Studies

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If I had to choose one word to describe me, I would only have to glance at the top of my left foot in order to find the answer. This single word that has been tattooed on my foot is pasja, which means “passion” in Polish. The “P” is a Christian fish, symbolizing my passion for faith; it is located on the top of my turning foot, symbolizing my passion for dance. I feel so blessed to study and gain experience in academic fields revolving around these two passions. My name is Sarah White, and I will graduate from the University of St. Thomas in May 2010.
I know that I’ve come a long way over the past few years- literally and figuratively. I’m originally from Norwalk, Iowa and have had my fair share of 4-hour car rides to and from school on breaks and holidays. I have attended Catholic schools since the first grade, and I wanted to be out of state yet not too far away, so St. Thomas seemed like the perfect fit. My major in Catholic Studies is the perfect accompaniment to all three of my minors: psychology, dance, and family studies. It is also the perfect tool to assist me in all areas of life; studying and discussing Catholic principles and beliefs every day has helped me with relationships, leadership skills, practicing spirituality, jobs on and off campus, and many other things.
Unlike every other soon-to-be senior, I do not have an internship this summer because I’m working for NDA, also known as the National Dance Alliance. For the past 4 summers I have been teaching at dance camps all over the United States. As mentioned earlier I’m used to traveling, and I absolutely love it. This year I will be working camps in Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. I thoroughly enjoy meeting and working with new people at every camp and the many roles that we must play such as teacher, mentor, customer service rep, evaluator, performer, choreographer, competition coordinator/adjudicator, and recruiter. Our company offers many styles of dance such as jazz, hip hop, pom, lyrical, modern/contemporary, kick, and prop/novelty; we also offer levels ranging from beginning to elite. Even though my job is very physically and mentally demanding, it is also the most rewarding and joyful experience ever. I get paid to do what I love, and I see immediate results of the positive effect I have on high school girls all over the country. One phrase that continues to motivate me every time I prepare for a camp consists of four simple words: Praise Him with dancing!

Faith and Career, Student Profiles

“So, what are you going to do with that?”

Posted by Katie, UST junior, Business Leadership and Management, Communications, and Catholic Studies

Some may cringe at the question. Others take a deep breath and prepare a long-winded answer sounding much like an “I don’t know” response. The question is similar to the high school senior’s “where do you plan on going to school?”, or the college freshman’s “what’s your major?” It cannot be escaped.
As a student of the Opus College of Business AND Catholic Studies I can honestly say that this question excites me more than most. This simple question tells me that I have a chance to offer a quick elevator pitch for why I believe Catholic Studies is not only the unifying and completing element of my education and personal life, but it is also a perfect complement to a business degree. Though they may be offering questions for small talk, I see it as an opportunity to spread the good news of Catholic Studies.

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