Beyond Career to Calling:

As a Catholic university, the University of St. Thomas is founded on a belief in God and a commitment to a life of worship leading to active participation in the mission of Christ and the Church to the world.  In its mission to unite faith and career preparation, St. Thomas seeks to educate the whole person, intellect as well as spirit. 

In 2001, St. Thomas was one of a number of colleges and universities across the nation who received a grant from the Lilly Endowment to stimulate a theological exploration of the idea of vocation on campus.  The objective of the grant is not only to encourage students to explore personal vocation to the Catholic priesthood and religious life but also to prompt them to think about their education and career plans in light of their faith.

Beyond Career to Calling, as the grant was named at St. Thomas, has three themes:

Promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life

Promoting vocation in a larger sense, in which the major choices students make about their lives may be seen in terms of a response to God's call

Promoting the vocation of the University of St. Thomas itself in living out its Catholic mission in all aspects of the community

From 2002 through 2006, Beyond Career to Calling funded nearly 40 programs and projects that served to promote these themes.  As a decentralized program, the projects of Beyond Career to Calling were developed and implemented by faculty and staff members from across the University and representing many different departments and programs.  As a result of the success of these endeavors, St. Thomas was awarded a continuation grant from the Lilly Endowment designed to sustain several existing programs as well as support a number of new initiatives for several years beyond the initial grant period.  Administered by the Center for Catholic Studies, Beyond Career to Calling supports the Ireland Fund for New Initiatives, a grant opportunity for all faculty and staff, and the Aquinas Fellowship Program, a scholarship fund for undergraduate juniors and seniors  

Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Beyond Career to Calling is a project at UST funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment as part of a nation-wide effort to stimulate a theological exploration of the idea of vocation on college campuses. The objective is not only to encourage students to explore personal vocations to ministry and religious life, but also to prompt them to think of their education and career plans in terms of vocation. 

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family -- J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli -- through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company.  The Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location.

In keeping with the wishes of the three founders, Lilly Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. The Endowment affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young people and promote leadership education and financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit, charitable sector. 

For more resources please look visit Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation.

 

Spencer is a senior, participating in the life of St. John Vianney Seminary.   He maintains a 4.0 GPA with a triple major in Catholic Studies, Philosophy, and Classical Languages.  He is also involved with the Knights of Columbus, All College Council, the Catholic Servant, and the American Chesterton Society.  He intends to continue to discern for the priesthood and is considering major seminary at the St. Paul Seminary and School of Divinity, where he hopes to one day be ordained a priest of God.  Spencer was nominated by Dr. John Boyle.  Hank is a senior majoring in Catholic Studies and Biochemistry, holding a 3.96 GPA.  He is a member of UST's Catholic Mens House (Castel Orono), Mass coordinator for Campus Ministry, St. Croix Valley Faith Formation Lifeteen member, CORE Biology Club Secretary, Chemistry Club, Catholic Witness, general Chemistry tutor, and St. Mark's Elementary swim coach. Students for Human Life and the Chemistry Club.   Hank plans on teaching Chemistry or Biology at the secondary level.  He intends to attend graduate school in Education, and hopes to do so at Harvard, Indiana University, or through the ACE program (Alliance for Catholic Education) at Notre Dame. Hank was nominated by Dr. Charlotte Ovechka. Erich is a junior double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Spanish. He is a Eucharistic Minister, Guardian for Perpetual Adoration, and is part of UST's Track and Field Team. He is a member of the National Society of College Scholars, the National Residence Hall Association, VP of Finance for Selby Hall, Delta Epsilon Sigma National Scholarship Honor Society, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  Erich was nominated by Dr. Camille George. Susan Slattery is a senior, double majoring in Biochemistry and Catholic Studies with a minor in Biology.  Susan is very involved here at St. Thomas. She is an Aquinas Scholar, Catholic Studies Leadership Intern, lector for the UST Mass team, member of the All College Council, and plays intramural soccer. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society, Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society, National Residence Hall honorary, and the Ioata Sigma Pi Chemistry Honors Society. In her 'spare' time, she is an adjunct Therapy Volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital, and participates in the Up Till Dawn event at UST. Susan plans to study medicine after graduation in anticipation of becoming a obstetrician gynecologist.  She was nominated by Dr. Charlotte Ovechka and Dr. Deborah Ruddy. A double major in both Catholic Studies and Philosophy, Sam currently maintains a 4.0 GPA. He is a resident at the St. John Vianney College Seminary, and a Thrid Degree Knight of Columbus. He is also a Philosophy Tutor for UST's Philosophy Department. He hopes to enter Major Seminary to pursue the priesthood. Liturgical Music and Catholic Studies double major Aana Bendson is a senior who will graduate next May. Integrating her major fields of study with her faith life, she coordinates the Music Ministry here at UST, and sings as part of both the Chamber Singers and Liturgical choir.  It is her desire to work in the area of Liturgical Music following her graduation, and will apply to our graduate school program in Catholic Studies. She was nominated by Dr. John Boyle. Kylie Bennett is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Her minors include Aerospace Studies in the Air Force ROTC program, and Catholic Studies. She is an active participant in the ROTC as part of the Saber Precision Drill team and Detachment Choir. She finds that her time spent on Catholic Women’s floor has been her most valuable experience of her college career thus far. Kylie was nominated by Dr. AnnMarie Thomas. Music Education major Rebecca Clark decided to attend St. Thomas for its Catholic atmosphere and smaller music department. She is active in on campus as section leader for the Chambers Singers and performs as an Aquinas Chapel cantor. She hopes to attend graduate school following graduation, concentrating on Music Theory with an emphasis in ear training. Rebecca was nominated by Dr. Shersten Johnson. Brookfield Wisconsin native Erin Dolan is a Catholic Studies and Journalism/Mass Communications double major. She is co-president of the Catholic Witness, a Catholic Studies Leadership intern, writer for Perspectives magazine, and one of our student workers at Sitzmann Hall. Following her May 2008 graduation she would like to be employed as a magazine writer/editor. Erin was nominated by Dr. John Boyle. Impending graduate Mary Therese Foley hails from West St. Paul, MN. She is a Catholic Studies major and Philosophy minor whose current GPA reflects a Summa Cum Laude designation.  She is currently discerning a vocation to the religious life. Mary Therese plays intramural volleyball, is a memebr of Catholic Witness, sings in the choir, and teaches religious education at St. Helena’s Catholic Church. She was nominated by Dr. John Boyle. Junior Catholic Studies and Accounting double major John Lodoen is from Burnsville, MN. He participates in liturgical music, concert choir, Communion and Liberation (Catholic Club), and is Vice-president of the Entrepenuership Socirty. He plans to enroll in the MSA program in Accounting at UST, and then work in public accounting. He was nominated by Dr. Don Briel. Pursuing a double major in both Catholic Studies and Philosophy, Nicole Morse, comes to us from Bancroft IA. She is currently a novice in ‘Sisters in Jesus the Lord,’ a private association which is in the process of seeking to become an official religious order of the Church. It is her fervent desire to be a religious missionary sister in far-eastern Russia. Nicole was nominated by Dr. Bob Kennedy. Born in Arica, Chile, Diego Jaque Pino is an International Business major and Catholic Studies minor. He volunteers at La Casa Guadalupana, a shelter for women and families in crisis, and is also the International student representative to UST’s undergraduate student government. Following his May graduation, he will work in the area of business and eventually go to graduate school. Diego was nominated by Dr. John van Ingen. Future attorney James Schultz is another Catholic Studies and Philosophy double major, although he adds Greek and Political Science minors. He is a member of our Catholic Studies Men’s House, a Catholic Studies Leadership intern, and active in the Knights of Columbus. He interns in Senator Norm Coleman’s office, and hopes to attend law school at the University of Notre Dame. Jim was nominated by Dr. Mary Lemmons. Yet another Catholic Studies and Philosophy double major is Susan Verly. She is active on campus, participating in Students for Human Life, Theotokos, Cor Jesu and Myriam Companions. She is discerning her vocation to the religious life, and is active with the Women’s discernment house. She hopes to continue her education with the Masters program at the SPSSOD.  Susan was nominated by Dr. Mary Reichardt. Senior Jacob Voelker is a native of St. Paul, MN. He is a Catholic Studies and Philosophy double major, who hopes to earn his Masters of Divinity from the St. paul Seminary and be ordained to the Catholic priesthood. He is active in the NET ministries, St. Joseph's youth group in West St. paul, St. Paul's Outreach, and the Knights of Columbus. He was nominated by Dr. John Martens. Jim Stokman is also a Biochemistry and Catholic Studies double major, although he will not graduate until May 2009. He is a member of the Varsity track and field team, CLU Club, and is one of our Catholic Studies Leadership interns. He enjoys playing all sports - except baseball - and plays guitar in his “spare” time. Following his graduation he will not return to his hometown in Crosby, MN, but will attend medical school, specializing in surgery. He was nominated by Dr. Don Briel.