by Dennis Dalman
For the first time, the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University will share a president – the newly hired Brian Bruess.
He will begin his presidency July 1.
Bruess was chosen as president after a nationwide search. The boards of trustees of both universities agreed to hire him. He will replace two presidents: Laurie Hamen, who was temporary president at CSB; and James Mullen, temporary SJU president.
“I am deeply humbled to be entrusted with this momentous and consequential opportunity,” Bruess stated in a press release. “For nearly 30 years I have studied and admired St. Ben’s and St. John’s.”
Since 2017, Bruess has been president of St. Norbert College, a Catholic school in De Pere, a city in eastern Wisconsin. During his tenure, that school was named one of the “Best in Nation” by The Princeton Review’s “Best 366 Colleges in 2020.” Bruess was cited for helping the school achieve record enrollment and the most diverse students in the school’s history.
Bruess also led the “Support What Matters” fundraising campaign, which doubled the size of the school’s endowment fund, an increase of 85 percent in funds since Bruess assumed the presidency there.
Before his presidential term at St. Norbert College, Bruess was employed for 21 years at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. His jobs included three years as executive vice president and as the school’s chief operating officer.
A native of Monroe, Wis., Bruess graduated from St. Norbert College in 1990 with degrees in sociology and psychology. He then earned a master’s degree and doctoral degree from Ohio University. He served there in several leadership roles before he was hired by St. Catherine University.
“We are excited about the future of our two institutions under the leadership of President Bruess,” said Terry Dolan, former chair of the CSB Board of Trustees. “He is aspirational, with a bold vision and has an incredible passion for the liberal arts, (for) students and (for) our Catholic and Benedictine mission.”
Brian J. Bruess has been named president for both the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, a position that is a first in the two colleges’ long history.
