Events for May 23, 2024 - February 6, 2024

 Saint Mary’s welcomes Michael Lehan, Head of School at IMG Academy, as Keynote Speaker for the 2023 Character Awards. He received his Bachelor of Science in Family Social Sciences in 2002 from the University of Minnesota, where he played football under coach Mason. After college, Michael played for six years in the NFL with the Browns, Dolphins, and Saints. He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s University, an Educational Specialist Degree, K-12 principal licensure, and Superintendent licensure. Lehan also completed his doctoral work at the University of St. Thomas. He was recognized as 2019 “Hennepin Division [...]

Character Should Be the Plate and Why Liz Huntley June 15, 2023   Saint Mary’s welcomes Elizabeth “Liz” Huntley as the keynote speaker at the Ed.S. Summer Institute. Liz is an accomplished litigation attorney, dedicated child advocate, author and lecturer. Liz is the President and Co-Founder of the Hope Institute which is an organization in Alabama that helps schools build a culture of character for their students.  She regularly speaks to groups throughout the U.S. often referencing her own journey as described in her published memoir  More Than A Bird. Liz earned her law degree from the University of Alabama School of [...]

The school of education will host the Ed.S. Summer Institute for students in the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program on June 15 and 16 at the University Center on its Minneapolis campus.  In previous institutes, over 75 educators have participated in a variety of presentations including Saint Mary’s virtue-based approach to professional ethics, Wise Leadership. The 2023 Summer Institute will feature nationally recognized presenters Dr. Lance Forman and Dr. Robin Cayce from Lipscomb University. Liz Huntley, the President of the Hope Institute at the University of Alabama, will give the keynote address about her own journey from her memoir More Than a [...]

Finding a Path in the Gray Areas of Leadership Dr. Lance Forman and Robin Cayce June 15-16, 2023 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota welcomes Dr. Lance Forman and Dr. Robin Cayce to its Twin Cities campus as featured speakers at the Ed.S. Summer Institute. Their presentation will focus on the ethical dilemmas school leader face in education. For more information, please visit: https://character.smumn.edu/events

  Saint Mary's University Ed.S. Program presents a virtual summer book study for staff, on Dr. Marvin W. Berkowitz's Primed for Character Education: Six Design Principles for School Improvement. The book contains "decades of research on evidence-based practices and thought-provoking field experience into a clear set of principles that leaders, administrators, and teacher-leaders can implement to help students thrive." The online study dates take place on Thursdays June 29th, July 13th, July 20th, July 27th, August 3rd, and August 10th at 10:00am. Please indicate your interest, availability, and if you need a copy of the book in this Google form.

Staff and faculty are invited to write letters of encouragement to children in hospitals through the organization, Letters of Love.

All staff and faculty are invited to make tie blankets to send to Children's Hospital of Minnesota on Tuesday July 25th, 12-1 PM. No sewing required; we hope to see you there!

Please join us in making fleece snuffle toys for the Animal Humane Society, on August 10th at LaSallian Hall Second Floor Lounge over the lunch hour. Please bring your own scissors. For more information, please contact cve@smumn.edu.

Executive Director of Dominican Veritas Ministries, Dr. Kristin Melley will be presenting to the students of the Catholic School Leadership Program.

  The Second Annual Faith Based Convening will take place, Sunday September 17, through Monday September 18, 2023. Dr. Greg Jones, president of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dr. Liz Gulliford, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Northampton will be speaking at the event. The Convening will cover how faith-based institutions navigate faith commitments and service to the common good, and will be especially keen this year to identify the most effective practices in this area.

You are invited to Dr. Liz Gulliford's presentations at both Saint Mary's Winona and Minneapolis campuses, on September 19-20th, respectively. She will present on gratitude and servant leadership.

Please join us in writing encouraging, uplifting letters to young patients in hospitals, through the organization Letters of Love on September 29th, 12:30-1:30 PM, in the LaSalle Halle second floor lounge.