Expanding our reach

TONI BLECHERT, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS & TWO-YEAR PROGRAMS

I love the College of St. Catherine and our deeply institutionalized focus on women, our Catholic heritage and the liberal arts. The melding of these three elements on both campuses has resulted in particular rituals as well as social, political and intellectual practices that have fed my soul and the souls of thousands of students, faculty and staff for many years.

The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health, where I work, was borne out of the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and their commitment to healthcare since the cholera epidemic of 1853. Their leadership launched our College in the direction of health education, and today, we are the state's oldest healthcare educator.

The name change to St. Catherine University will help us increase strategic national and international partnerships, positioning us, in turn, to respond to emerging health and health education needs of the region and far beyond.

I believe that moving to university status recognizes St. Catherine's legacy of achievements and provides a larger launching pad to further excellence and quality. With a commitment to the traditional mission and high standards of the institution, and close ties to the multiple, diverse communities we serve, we will reach even farther in our effort to serve the dear neighbor.