|
 |
|
|
|
|
| VISITING CAMPUS |
|
|
University Introduces New First-Year Symposium for Freshmen
The University of St. Thomas is proud to introduce a new first-year experience program for the incoming freshman class of 2010. The Freshman Symposium: Educating Leaders of Faith and Character will provide an appreciation of the University’s commitment to “educate leaders of faith and character.” Drawing upon previous orientation programs, the Freshman Leadership Symposium will introduce students to the University by focusing on St. Thomas’ mission to educate leaders who can think critically, communicate effectively, lead ethically and succeed professionally. The program will explain the role of the Basilian Fathers who founded the university in 1947 and whose faithful and welcoming charisma continues to shape the institution.
Guide Me: Mentorship
Mentor teams will not only teach and guide the incoming freshman class, but they will act as valuable advisors on ways to improve the scope and content of the entire freshman experience at St. Thomas. Freshmen will participate in the program in groups of 15 to 20. Each group will have the benefit of a university mentor team composed of a faculty member, staff member and upper division student. These mentor teams will meet with their freshman group for each of the 15 sessions to provide guidance and support. Under the direction of the faculty mentor, the team will teach the basics of servant leadership and explain how it complements St. Thomas’ core values of goodness, knowledge, discipline and community. The mentor teams will guide and encourage the freshman class to develop their intellectual, social, and leadership abilities. Freshmen will gain an appreciation of the integration of how faith and reason shapes the academic program at St. Thomas.
Talk to Me: Presentations
The 2010 cohort will meet five times during Freshman Orientation and in 10 one-hour sessions throughout the fall semester. The program will be highlighted by six presentations. Featured speakers include UST President Dr. Robert Ivany; UST Basilian Superior Fr. Robert Barringer, CSB, Jim McIngvale, CEO of Gallery Furniture; John Whitney, Burnett Family Chair of Leadership and professor emeritus of Columbia University; Dean of Students Lindsey McPherson, director of the Career Services and Testing Center; and Dr. Michelle “Mikki” Hebl, professor of psychology at Rice University.
Give Me a Reference
Students will incorporate insights from works by Fr. John Gallagher, CSB, Adjunct Professor of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and lessons from The Servant: The Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership by James C. Hunter.
My Opinion Counts
During the final session, students and mentors will be asked for their feedback on the program for integration into future programs.The faculty leadership team coordinating the symposium include Dr. Jo Anne Meier-Marquis, associate professor of psychology; Dr. Vinita Ramaswamy, associate professor of accounting and Dr. Emiliano Gonzalez, associate professor of education.
During the final session, students and mentors will be asked for their feedback on the program for integration into future programs. |
Freshman Symposium Mentor Teams
 
 
 
 
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
