Four Sartell students are studying abroad during the fall semester through the Office for Education Abroad at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, and St. John’s University, Collegeville. They are the following: Jessica Alkire, daughter of Mary and Doug Alkire, who is a junior English major at CSB studying in the London program; Austin Barkley, son of Julie and Jim Barkley, who is a junior Hispanic studies major at SJU studying in the Chile program; Ali Mick, daughter of Jane and Doug Mick, who is a senior communication major at CSB studying in the Galway program; and Brandon Morine, son of Jenni and Rob Morine, who is a junior biology major at SJU studying in the Greco-Roman program.
While in London, the students study British history, literature, theater, music and art through lectures, readings, discussions and writing assignments. The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the British Museum are used as classrooms by the program professors. Students on this program may also choose to participate in an internship and gain international professional experience. The students are housed in furnished flats near the Foundation for International Education study center. The faculty consists of a professor from CSB and SJU who accompanies the group, and professors from London universities and colleges. Charles Bobertz, professor of theology at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2013.
The Chile program is hosted by Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, a private university located in Viña del Mar, a city of 350,000 residents. The campus is situated in central Chile, 70 miles west of Santiago, the country’s capital. Students are encouraged to advance their Spanish language skills and integrate into the rich and diverse culture through service learning opportunities and by living with Chilean host families. Gladys White, associate professor of Hispanic studies at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2013.
The Galway program gives students an opportunity to explore the history, culture, literature and sociology of Ireland. While students are exposed to Gaelic as a living language, courses are taught in English. The focus is on a structured curriculum, leaving room for the exploration of unique opportunities presented by the intellectual and cultural resources of Ireland. Located in Spiddal, a rural village outside of Galway, students are housed in cottages at the Park Lodge, a family-run institution. Anna Mercedes, professor of theology at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2013.
The Greco-Roman program gives students the opportunity to explore classical subjects of history, religion, art history and literature while living in modern day Athens and Rome. While students are exposed to Greek and Italian language, courses are taught in English, both in the classroom and on historical and archaeological sites or in museums. The focus is based on a structured curriculum, always leaving room for the exploration of unique opportunities presented by the intellectual and cultural resources of Greece and Italy. Steve Saupe, professor of biology at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2013.
The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are ranked No. 2 nationally among baccalaureate institutions with students who participate in mid-length study abroad programs according to the annual report on international education, Open Doors 2013, published by the Institute of International Education. The two schools, which shared the No. 2 spot with Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y., had 360 students study abroad on mid-length programs during the 2011-12 school year, the latest year measured by IIE.
There are 20 semester-long programs administered by CSB and SJU, 16 of which are faculty-led.
Sarah Evans of Sartell was recently named to the spring dean’s list for academic achievement during the academic year of 2012-13. This was the result of earning a 3.5 (A) or higher semester grade-point average while carrying at least 12 credit hours.
Three Sartell-St. Stephen High School athletes were recently named to the Class A Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer All-Tournament Teams by Wells Fargo, the premier corporate sponsor of the Minnesota State High School League.
They are Kyle Erickson, Colin Johnson and Sophie VanSurksum.
The award recognizes student athletes who demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship, team commitment, athletic ability and leadership during the state high school tournaments. Athletes are selected to the Wells Fargo All-Tournament Team by a panel of coaches attending the tournament. Sixteen awards are presented in both Girls’ and Boys’ Class A Soccer.
The Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce recently elected a new board of directors. They are the following: Walker Brown, Cheri Carlson, Chris Dolney, Jessica Houle, Jenifer Odette, Mark Ostendorf and Juli Sieben. Outgoing board members included Shawna Hanson and Nathan Tykwinski.
