Instructor of English, Daniel Jones, graduated from the University of St.Thomas in 1994 with a BA in English, and in 2002 with his master’s degree. Jones said that the biggest change at St. Thomas from when he was an undergrad are the buildings and technology. Jones piece of advice to undergrads now is to, “major in something that will make you happy everyday for the rest of your life. ” (Meghan Vosbeek/TommieMedia).
St. Thomas Professor of Economics, Michael Walrath, completed both his BA in Mathematics and BS in Economics from St.Thomas in 2003. Walrath reminisced on the ease of having everything so close together in college, along with taking naps in the library’s leather room. When asked what piece of advice he would offer current undergrads at St. Thomas Walrath said, “put less concern about what you’re gonna major in.. twenty two is insanely young right now, there is lots of time… your entire twenties there is so much time to do so many things, there is still time to figure things out afterwards (graduation).” (Meghan Vosbeek/TommieMedia)
Associate professor, Eric Fort, shows off student’s projects displayed throughout his office. Smith received a BS in chemistry from The University of St. Thomas in 2005. When asked what a typical weekend was like at St. Thomas as an undergrad Smith talked about the Light Rail (blue line) having just been installed. He and his friends often took the blue line downtown which, “Changed the experience” of student life. (Meghan Vosbeek/TommieMedia)
Amy Smith, professor of teacher education, holds an old St. Thomas catalog that pictures her and her mother on the day of her commencement. Smith received her BA in Elementary education in 1986 from St.Thomas. Smith has many memories at St.Thomas including: meeting her husband here, getting married in the Chapel in 1987 and watching all three of her kids go to St. Thomas. (Meghan Vosbeek/TommieMedia)
Air Force active duty and Aerospace studies faculty member Andrea Gehrman smiles after talking about her recent years as an undergrad at St. Thomas. Gehrman said she, “lived and breathed AROTC” during her four years as a Tommie up until her graduation in 2011. When asked to give a piece of advice to current undergrads, Gehrman said, “don’t take these years for granted,
put yourself outside you comfort zone… that takes a lot of courage and a lot of uncomfortableness to get to that point, so think it’s challenging for most students.” (Meghan Vosbeek/TommieMedia)
Robert Riley gets situated in his office in Aquinas Hall as he has switched from teaching as a professor of economics to the vice provost for Academic Studies. Riley graduated from The College of St. Thomas in 1989 and said his favorite memory from St. Thomas was graduating Summa Cum Laude and the bittersweetness of commencement. Riley talked about all of the things that changed since he was an undergrad at St.Thomas himself, including all of the physical changes and more student diversity. (Meghan Vosbeek/TommieMedia).
Mary Daugherty graduated from the College of St. Thomas in 1980 and now teaches as an associate professor of finance. One of her favorite memories was when she and her friends dressed up as a M&M candies for the halloween dance in the old Armory. When asked what she misses most about being a college student Daugherty simply said, “I love college so much, I came back.”