Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will launch its 100th anniversary celebration with a Centennial Cornerstone Commemoration Saturday, June 23 Saint Mary’s Hall in Winona where the university began.
The program will include a blessing of the cornerstone, along with remarks from Brother William Mann, Saint Mary’s president. Proclamations will be read, historic items will be on display, and the flag that flew at the U.S. Capital May 30, in honor of Saint Mary’s Centennial, will be presented to Brother William. May 30 marked the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for Saint Mary’s Hall.
In honor of the anniversary, the Minnesota Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to the university noting its “strong vision,” “solid foundation” and “commitment to education.” The leaders expressed confidence that Saint Mary’s will “continue to amaze” during its second century.
The Cornerstone Commemoration launches a yearlong Centennial celebration at Saint Mary’s, with events planned in Winona, the Twin Cities, Chicago and throughout the U.S., as well as in Nairobi and Jamaica.
Saint Mary’s began as a diocesan college for men and it has grown into a top-tier national university with about 1,400 residential, undergraduate students in Winona. Approximately 4,600 students are enrolled in the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. The university also serves adult learners through campuses in Minneapolis, Winona and Nairobi, Kenya, along with other centers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Jamaica.