Students, staff honored on Founder’s Day

By Karina Rajtar
Co-Editor in Chief

Two seniors, two professors and the De La Salle Christian Brothers were recognized at this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation on Feb. 24.

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Jakub “Kuba” Szymanski and Emily Berg were announced as this year’s Outstanding Seniors. Szymanski, an accounting major from Opole, Poland, said in his acceptance speech that attending Saint Mary’s University helped his transformation from being a shy freshman to being an involved, outspoken senior. Berg noted that every member of the senior class has made a contribution to the SMU community. She is a K-8 education and Spanish double major from Owatonna, Minn.

Two faculty members were recognized for their contributions to the university as well. Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of the School of Education, received the Distinguished Lasallian Educator award, an award given by many Lasallian universities. Anderson has long supported the San Miguel schools in Chicago and Minneapolis and has promoted literacy education.

Dean Beckman, assistant professor in the Social Science Department, received the Brother H. Charles Severin Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Severin Award goes to teachers committed to student-centered learning, and Beckman acknowledged in his acceptance speech the importance of valuing students as individuals.

The Convocation ceremony included a presentation about the Christian Brothers in honor of the 75th anniversary of their affiliation with the university. Brothers who are currently involved with the SMU community were individually acknowledged as well.

Provincial Edmond Precourt, Superior of the Long Island-New England District (LINE) and a guest to the Founder’s Day celebration, received recognition and a gift from the university on behalf of the Brothers of the LINE district for their service to the university.

Others acknowledged at the Convocation were the ten Outstanding Senior finalists, members of the Delta Epsilon Sigma national honor society, first-year student recipients of leadership scholarships and award recipients from the Twin Cities campus.

Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of the founding of SMU in 1912 by Winona Bishop Patrick R. Heffron.