{"id":800,"date":"2022-05-19T21:49:11","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T21:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/?p=800"},"modified":"2022-05-23T21:06:06","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T21:06:06","slug":"miracles-and-milestones-describe-usts-75-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/2022\/featured-stories\/miracles-and-milestones-describe-usts-75-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Miracles and Milestones Describe UST’s 75 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Miracles and milestones describe UST’s 75 years since 1947, when the University of St. Thomas opened the doors of Link Lee Mansion, the sole building housing the University, and welcomed its inaugural class of just 57 students. Each year, we celebrate Founders\u2019 Day in honor of those students, faculty, administrators, benefactors, and, of course, the Basilian Fathers, who took a risk and said \u201cYes!\u201d to the upstart-but-promising University of St. Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To commemorate our 75th Anniversary, Founders\u2019 Day 2022 extended celebrations to a full week,\u00a0Founders\u2019 Week, recognizing multiple Milestones & Miracles. Among them, the Rising Stars Internship Program<\/a>, Giving Day and the Carol & Odis Peavy School of Nursing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inaugural Rising Stars Open House and Evening Cookout: Huge Success<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remarkable success of the Rising Stars Internship Program was marked on April 26 by the Inaugural Rising Stars Open House and Evening Cookout. Participants celebrated in the new Rising Stars Lounge inside the former Black Lab Pub. The evening was a vibrant coming together of the program\u2019s primarily first-generation students, their families and the corporate sponsors who make their life-changing stories possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a special night,\u201d UST Director of Corporate Relations Mallory Peterson \u201911 said. \u201cWe took advantage of the opportunity to thank our generous corporate sponsors and gave them a chance to get to know our deserving students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Rising Stars Works <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proven program places qualified students in paid internships with sponsor companies where they work throughout the academic year. Not only do the students earn funds to help offset the cost of tuition, but the work experience and personal connections they gain are priceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rising Stars Model & Bragging Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Rising Stars launched three years ago, it served five students. By fall of 2021, the number had swelled to 100 and almost one-third made the Dean\u2019s List. With a top-notch record for success, this bold program is charging ahead to serve more students who would otherwise have limited access to educational excellence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe aim to add another 75 students and more than 45 new corporate sponsors and community partners,\u201d Peterson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about this extraordinary program, contact Mallory Peterson at petersonm@stthom.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boundless Generosity: Giving Day 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founders\u2019 Week also brought together cheerful givers comprised of students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends for UST\u2019s 4th annual Giving Day. On April 28, the 24-hour challenge to impact the lives of the University\u2019s students brought in more than $100,000 to support 27 causes on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director of Stewardship and Annual Giving Jacquelyn Olexa, MLA \u201915, said, \u201cThe generosity of our community is something to celebrate, and it\u2019s been a privilege to witness the culture of philanthropy spread through campus as a result of Giving Day over the past four years.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irresistible Attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving Day fun popped up on the inviting Campus Life Mall with a festival of food trucks, games and giveaways. \u201cIt may have looked like all fun and games, but students are understanding the importance of paying it forward in meaningful ways,\u201d Olexa said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donation Destinations & Smart Incentives <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributions supported established scholarships for schools, centers, departments, as well as other campus initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding muscle to the giving power were matching grants like the $25,000 match from the PJ Moran Foundation. And the Scholarship Power Hour was a favorite, matching all gifts to scholarships dollar for dollar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the food trucks had gone and the dunk tank was drained, the spirit of generosity and community that filled our campus remained. Once again, our UST family banded together to impact students and programs in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PSON\u2019S Growth to Reduce a Critical Shortage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founders\u2019 Week would not have been complete without recognizing the 10th anniversary of UST\u2019s reestablished, award-winning School of Nursing. In one short decade, the Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing (PSON) has reflected incredible foresight and grown with undeniable strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Healthcare Program to Solve a Problem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committed to reducing a critical shortage of nurses and supported by the Peavy\u2019s very generous initial donations of $2.5 million, the University recruited Dr. Poldi Tschirch to lead and build PSON. Despite almost overwhelming challenges at times, she tirelessly built the school. And they (the students) did come. The first 29 were admitted in fall 2011 to earn their traditional BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). By the spring 2022 session, nearly 500 students were enrolled to become competent, compassionate caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What PSON Built in 10 Short Years<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Dean Tschirch retired in 2021, the robust school would occupy its own handsome home within the Center for Science and Health Professions and have six $2 million faculty chair endowments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Degree offerings include: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n