Board of Trustees unanimously adopts Strategic Plan 2017

On Friday the Board of Trustees unanimously adopted Strategic Plan 2017, a transformational document that will guide our work in the years to come to advance the mission of Saint Mary’s University and realize the vision of Saint Mary’s as a well-known, top-tier national university.

The board action was the punctuating moment to a process that began in June of 2011 with the establishment of a strategic planning task force and the appointment of three planning co-chairs. Since that time over 900 persons, representing various stakeholders of the university, were engaged in a rigorous, structured process. The university is grateful for the dedicated work of so many individuals whose thoughtful contributions have made this document so outstanding.

A comprehensive brochure laying out the themes, goals and objectives of the plan can be viewed and downloaded by going to www.smumn.edu/strategicplan. A printed copy of this brochure is now being produced and will be distributed later this month. Each of you are encouraged to engage with the strategic themes identified in this document as a means of strengthening our capacity to provide the kind of education needed to help our students shape a better world for all.

Sympathy to Collins, Ochrymowycz families

Brother Michael Collins, FSC ’59, M’65, Ed.D., a current and long-time Saint Mary’s University trustee, died from cancer on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.) at DeLaSalle High School. The funeral Mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis (with visitation one hour before Mass). A reception at DeLaSalle High School will follow the Mass.

On Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, Jane Ochrymowycz, former director of the Academic Skills Center, passed away after a lengthy illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis. Visitation is one hour prior to service. A luncheon will immediately follow. A bus has been chartered from Winona for the service. Departure will be at 8 a.m. Park at Main and Belleview streets. Please call Shannon Hanzel at (507) 454-5388, to reserve a seat.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to these families.

Herzog and Kuczma named new trustees

Two new members have been named to the board of trustees.

Bill Herzog ’70 of Apple Valley, Minn., is a founder and managing partner of Course Charters, LLC. Course Charters provides a variety of management consulting services to small and mid-sized organizations. He is past president of the SMU Alumni Board and served on the most recent presidential search committee.

Linda Kuczma ’78, J.D., of Park Ridge, Ill., has more than 25 years experience in the practice of intellectual property law. She practices in the Chicago offices of Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

Additionally Mary Ann Remick of Rochester was appointed to an additional five-year term. Remick has served on the board since 2004, and chaired the most recent presidential search committee.

Brother Michael Collins ’59, FSC, Saint Paul; Lyle Delwiche, Minneapolis; and Oscar Straub ’52, St. Louis, completed 20 years of service on the board. Delwiche and Straub were named Trustees Emeriti by the board in recognition of their service. John Ehlert ’67, Wayzata, completed his 10-year term on the board, and Timothy Horan ’70, Plymouth, completed his five-year term on the Board.