When class goes 'electrical'

Mark Blegen challenged students to "flip the switch" in his Opening Convocation remarks before students, faculty and staff in September. Mark is an exercise and sports science professor at St. Kate's.

My dictionary defines electricity as thrilling, exciting, stirring. What the dictionary doesn’t say is that this phenomena takes place every day at St. Catherine University: in the classrooms, on the fields and courts, in the labs, in the dorms. Everywhere.

Electricity in the classroom does not occur when I stand over you, banging your head with one of those expensive textbooks, telling you what you should know. Class does not get electric when we are texting, tweeting or updating our current status.

Class goes electrical when you and I know each other, trust each other, look each other in the eye and say, “Let’s figure this out together.”

I, as a professor, have just as much to learn from you in the classroom as you do from me.

Through your teaching, I am encouraged to teach better, and when this circle of teaching and learning takes shape, it is electrical. Electricity all around this campus. All you have to do is flip the switch.

The synaptic "pop" of understanding

Since starting this blog, I have been asked a number of times if we could expand the format to include guest bloggers. Absolutely! St. Kate’s has so many voices.

Today Marcie Myers shares the words she delivered at Opening Convocation. The topic was passion and commitment to teaching and learning at St.Kate's using electricity as a metaphor. Marcie, a biology professor currently serving as the Endowed Chair for the Sciences, talks about the daily sparks of energy she draws from her students.

E-lec-tric-i-ty - a noun
Definition 1: the behavior of charged particles
Definition 2: intense, contagious emotional excitement – such as experienced in a moment of discovery.

In my Biology of Women course …
In the eyes of art history, English and social work majors…
In the eyes of students who start the semester proudly and loudly proclaiming they “just aren’t good at science” …

I see the charged “aha” moment – the synaptic “pop” of understanding – that comes when I have these students physically “act out” the electrical process whereby our heart’s pacemaker sparks the muscular contraction that pulses life-giving blood to our brains, our spleens and the tips of our big toes.

And because electrical current always flows in a circuit, my life and learning is transformed by my students.

• By the e-mail from a former student relaying how her new understanding of the interactions within her body gave her the confidence to demand an explanation from her physician that actually made sense to her.



• By the midnight text message from a student collaborator who “just can’t wait to tell me – smiley emoticon-smiley emoticon” – her latest insight about our research.



• By the totally fresh and compelling question from a student who has just barely worked up the courage to raise her hand.

These daily sparks of energy – drawn from my interactions with St Kate's students and with all of you – are why I love my job.

Activities Fair - September 24

Meet me on the Quad for lunch. There will be St. Kate's 'free and most famous' tacos-in-a-bag for everyone, but more importantly, it's the annual Activities Fair from 11:45 to 1 p.m. Don’t miss it.

The Activities Fair is the perfect place to find out how many different ways you can create lifelong friendships, serve your community and explore your interests and passions at St. Kate's. Every club and organization imaginable will have a presence at the fair, ranging from Campus Ministry to the Clay Club, from the Wheel to the Swing Club. Hundreds of students will be on hand to answer your questions and share their experiences. Plus, many of our community partners will be present so you can learn all about service learning opportunities available to St. Kate’s students.

If you have questions or would like a table at the fair, contact Student Center and Activities at 651.690.6210.

A time to hope and dream

This last week at St. Kate's was filled with excitement for students and faculty and for me, too. It was a time for students to renew friendships and make new ones, a time to prepare for the academic and personal challenges to come, a time to hope and dream. Take a minute to reflect on the rich visual images of the opening of St. Catherine University taken by the Student Photo Bureau last week. Find yourself in them and remember the promise they hold.

Photo Collections »

Good stuff happens at a confluence

As we welcome new members into our St. Kate’s community and rejoin each other for another year, the excitement and opportunity of “the confluence” comes to mind.

I grew up amid the rolling hills and farm country of south central Wisconsin. I had abundant access to lakes and rivers including the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers. The flow of both these rivers, one to the west and the other to the east of my hometown, is circuitous. These rivers wind intimately among the hills, valleys, corn fields, soy bean fields, hay fields and woods of the great cheese state. Paddling a canoe or scooching down the steep banks to find the perfect fishing hole was a regular experience for me as a kid.

As is the case with our very own Mississippi River, my favorite place of any river is “the confluence.” Good stuff happens at a confluence. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the original I received as a high school graduation gift, defines confluence as “a coming or flowing together.”

As a University, our tripartite mission holds Catholic, Liberal Arts and education of Women as one. For each element of mission the imagery of confluence is central. The integration of faith and reason, the perpetual relationship between truth and knowledge and the perquisite connectedness of a learning environment for women are all similar to what happens at the confluence of two or more streams or rivers.

Each branch brings active, unique and refreshing water to the interaction. At the confluence, it gets messy and at times looks and feels uncertain. If the flow of either or both sources of water is too strong even the most agile person can be swept away. But on a good day, the two currents come together with enough dissonance to keep things moving, but not too much to overwhelm the curious onlooker or hungry fish.

We have been working all summer in preparation for the annual gathering at the confluence. The water level, temperature and current, while subject to change, are perfect at this moment. Let us all stand together at this confluence called St. Kate’s. As together we wade into learning let’s do so with unmistakable intention to learn and firm commitment to actively engage.

Moments of Spring

Spring has sprung! Azaleas, magnolias and lilacs are my favorite springtime gifts. They work magic on my mind and imagination. The sight of a crabapple tree blooming in the courtyard on the Minneapolis campus and magnolias by the Chapel in St. Paul lifts the spirit. I’ve even seen an allergy-sufferer fearlessly soak up the beauty of the lilac bushes east of Derham. “Hard on my nose,” she declares, “but good for my soul.” Stuffy but happy, she goes on her way to a final exam.

As I move about the campuses this time of year, I find most students immersed in the final few weeks of papers and exams. Some are sleepy from late-night jam sessions. Some seem stressed; others are calm but focused. Many students bask in the reflective glory of Honors and Awards, senior honors project presentations, completion of clinical rotations. Others simply anticipate summer.

The other day, as I was sitting in a rocking chair on the stoop of Derham Hall, I watched the sunset and wondered where the year has gone. Why has it passed so quickly? And why does each year seem to pass more quickly than the last?

Late last month I had one of those weeks that seemed to pass in an instant — and felt like it might never end. Each day was long but productive. Each evening my calendar was crammed with events, but they offered nourishing food and drink. Each day started around 5 a.m. and ended about 9 at night. Gracie, my 9 year old, scolded me. “Dad, you’re missing dinner again?!” Gracie is wise. She knows family is my number one priority. She also knows 16-hour days for Dad are unusual. But she seems to understand they are important now and again.

And that week, they were. I had dinner with the Student Senate at Sister Andrea’s house. The next night, same venue (thank you Sister Andrea), but the guests were students from The Wheel. The following night brought a pizza dinner and meeting with three students about the Presidents’ Climate Commitment. The days overflowed with meetings about balancing the budget. Yet instead of getting tired, I felt a surge of energy. Each interaction with students generated hope; each bit of hope fueled my sense of purpose.

Last week, at the Honors and Awards program, I gazed in awe at the students as I would at a bursting magnolia tree. Greatness! Incredible achievement. As each student was recognized I was reminded again and again of the important work we all do at St. Catherine. We are educating students to lead and influence. It seems like such a simple thing. Yet, it is complex, hard work.

Especially at this time of year, it is clear how transformative the St. Catherine experience can be. Stop at the next lilac bush you see. Lean into the blossoms and draw in a deep breath. Let the gift soak in like spring rain on fresh earth. In just a few weeks we’ll be battling mosquitoes and lamenting the dog days of summer. But for now, rejoice in the moments of spring — and the many spectacular students who surround us.

Brian

What an Honor.

Each year, between just prior to spring break and graduation, members of the Antonian Scholars Honors Program present their Senior Honors Projects. Each year these presentations signal the beginning of the end of the year. More importantly, these student scholars and the act of presenting their work to the public represent something deeply important to our community; academic achievement and excellence.

Faculty, staff, encouraging friends and supporting family members gather in anticipation. The student, in her own style and manner, presents her well-framed thesis and begins to detail the context for her project. Covering only salient points and drawing observers into a transformative intellectual journey, she continues with her presentation.

I often wonder what the student is thinking just prior to and during her presentation, “What if my topic is of no interest to them? What if I screw up? What if they ask me a question I can’t answer?” These are all good things to wonder about when you’re presenting a Senior Honors Project. Those who have gone down this road before know that questions of doubt and cognitive dissonance are a natural part of learning.

The main content has been shared. It’s time to “bring it home” with a climatic conclusion and clear summary of findings. “Does everyone still seem interested?” is the thought that quickly passes as she prepares to conclude. The big moment has come as she confidently says, “Are there any questions?” Several faculty members, usually on the students’ committee, ask follow-up questions. Student peers ask questions. Recently I heard a students’ sister ask a question. Now that is dangerous! Some questions are awkwardly gentle and general in nature. Other questions are awkwardly tough and rigorous. In both instances, the beauty rests in the student response. My favorite part is when the student engages with the audience. It is at this moment when she demonstrates her true knowledge, as she teaches the content she has studied so deeply. It is indeed true what they say, “In good teaching we demonstrate mastery of the content.”

The appointed ending time is apparent. Recognition of the faculty mentor is appropriately offered. Family and friends are acknowledged. For each student, in her own way, I observe a sense of relief, joy and great accomplishment as she receives the closing applause.

I wonder what she is thinking now? I know what I’m thinking, “What an honor!” What an honor to be among such committed and inspiring student scholars. Congratulations and thank you to all the graduating seniors in the Antonian Scholar Honors Program. We are proud of you, your work and the academic achievement you have demonstrated.

Go check out one of the remaining Antonian Scholar Honors Program Senior Honors Projects (click here).


Brian