Saint Mary's Magazine Winter 2003 - Saint Mary's University of ...

FROM CAMPUS THE NEWS EDITOR
Brother Leopold Julian Dodd is first
Christian Brother president (1933)
14
Christian Brothers purchase SMC
from Winona Diocese (1933)
13
Brother Laurence
Walther dies
Brother Laurence Walther, FSC,
82, died Aug. 21 at Saint Anne
Hospice in Winona. Brother
Laurence, a 1944 alumnus of then-
Saint Mary’s College, was an
accomplished concert pianist and
music teacher.
Brother Laurence returned to
Saint Mary’s as a full-time faculty
member in 1970. In his first year,
he originated the college’s Fine Arts
Department and was the first
member of the music faculty. He
launched a professional performing
career when he began touring with
Brother Vincent Malham ’58 as
“Brothers in Concert” in 1974. The
duo toured the United States, the
Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia,
Singapore and Rome, in addition to
recording albums.
In 1980, Brother Laurence
received the Distinguished Alumnus
Award from Saint Mary’s College.
The Saint Mary’s board of trustees
bestowed the honorary Doctorate
of Musical Arts upon Brother
Laurence in 1991. Last summer, he
received an award from the
Winona Fine Arts Commission in
honor of his lifelong dedication to
music and education.
Services for Brother Laurence
were held Aug. 25 at Saint Thomas
More Chapel, with burial at Saint
Mary’s Cemetery, Winona.
Memorials may be directed to the
SMU Music Department.
Successful $30 million fund drive
to benefit students, endowment
Saint Mary’s University has successfully completed its $30 million capital
campaign, “Legacy for Learning: The Campaign for Students.” Brother
President Louis DeThomasis made the announcement Sept. 27. John
Leaf, chairman of the board of trustees, reported that the board passed
a unanimous resolution “celebrating the successful conclusion of the
most ambitious campaign in the history of Saint Mary’s University.”
Brother Louis acknowledged the efforts of many volunteers and
staff members who were responsible for the success of a campaign that
exceeded by 70 percent any previous SMU campaign. He specifically
thanked campaign co-chairs and former trustees Bernie Wagnild
(Minneapolis) and Robert Kelly (Chicago), along with Dr. Mary Catherine
Fox ’75, professor of interdisciplinary studies and former vice president
for university relations, under whose direction the campaign was
developed and launched.
Brother Louis noted that “$17 million of the $30 million raised in
this campaign was directed to endowment, with the balance for
programs and scholarships directly benefiting students. No new
buildings were funded with capital campaign proceeds.”
Tim Burchill ’68, vice president for university relations, provided data
relative to the overall campaign: gifts and pledges totaled $30,333,828;
the campaign included 19,876 gifts (many donors made multiple gifts);
and the 28 largest gifts to the campaign ranged from $100,000 to
$7,000,000, providing exactly one-half of the $30 million total.
Brother Louis thanked trustees for their support and involvement in
the campaign. Board members contributed in excess of $7 million
toward the overall objectives of the campaign.
12 SAINT MARY’S MAGAZINE WINTER 2003