"Why do we need a campaign?"

Thank you to the following for telling the story...

Richard Anderson ’80, Board of Trustees Chairman –

“At stake in this campaign is a brighter future for Saint Thomas Academy deep into the 21st century. Successful completion of the endowment and facilities portions of the Campaign will support STA’s mission by providing needed endowment funds to maintain our excellent faculty, financial assistance to make STA accessible to a diverse student body, and classroom, laboratory, and co-curricular spaces that will keep STA strong, vital, and competitive for decades to come.
    The traditions and excellence of STA are as strong as ever. This unique institution that molds its boys into a brotherhood of outstanding young men and future leaders is thriving. The idea of Saint Thomas Academy burns brightly. But the campus is nearly 50 years old and struggles even now to support all the needs of the Academy’s students and faculty. The Defining Moment is now, and our commitment today to this campaign is our commitment to all of the young men of STA’s future.”


Vince Flynn ’84, A Defining Moment Campaign Co-Chair –

“A financially strong, vibrant campus, with updated facilities, is the STA I was fortunate enough to attend. We have the responsibility and opportunity through the Defining Moment Campaign to leave this great institution in the same shape for future generations of cadets. Please join us in this effort.”

Larry Holtz ’78, A Defining Moment Campaign Co-Chair –

“I believe this campaign is a game-changer for the tradition of giving at STA. The number of significant gifts and commitments already made to this campaign is a first for this institution and I believe it will create a new mindset around the level of giving well into the future. The success of the Defining Moment Campaign will create state-of-the-art facilities that can finally match all the other great attributes the school has to offer to all the young men who pass through the Academy halls.”

Thomas B. Mich Ph.D., Headmaster –

“We need to act today for Saint Thomas Academy’s tomorrow. Delay is neither a vision nor a mission. This capital campaign, the Defining Moment Campaign, is our challenge and our opportunity to once again secure the future and to maintain the vision and mission begun in 1885. If excellence is our tradition, it must also be our goal. This campaign is all about providing the resources requisite to excellence in learning and teaching. It is all about having the wherewithal to continue the vision of educating and developing leaders locally and for the world in the 21st century. Thank you for caring about Saint Thomas Academy and thank you for your support.” 


Mike Sjoberg, Assistant Headmaster –

“Every student at the Academy and generations of cadets to come will benefit from the planned campus improvements: an activity center; an aquatic center; new and remodeled classrooms and fine arts studios; and an expanded court area. The extra space will allow even more students to join academic, athletic and intramural programs. These programs provide the cadets with more opportunities to develop friendships, bond as ‘brothers’ and enhance leadership skills. A special part of the campus plan is the increased expansion of our court, as this will allow all our students, faculty and staff to be in one area for Masses. Currently, we are spread out on two levels; being together in the court will enhance the communal spirit of Mass.”


Jack Zahr, Director of Athletics and Activities –

“The activity center is a necessary addition to the campus. I have been at STA for 35 years and people have been talking about building a new center for more than 30 years so now is the time to make it happen. Our student participation in co-curricular athletics and activities is at an all-time high and we just don’t have the space needed to support all the programs. The need for a new aquatic center is even more urgent than it was when the Defining Moment Campaign began five years ago. The weight room and locker room are too small for our students’ needs and our student-athletes are conducting their workouts in the hallways and court area. The completion of all our facilities improvements will benefit students for many years to come and allow the Academy to remain competitive with other area schools who have already completed their upgrades.”


Chris Ritten ’80, Director of Institutional Advancement –

“Saint Thomas Academy is as strong as it has ever been and we’re proud of that, but we have a responsibility to the future. The Defining Moment Capital Campaign is about guaranteeing an Academy education for decades to come.”


 

John Barnes, Faculty and Head Swimming/Diving Coach –

“The need for a new aquatic center is even more urgent today than it was five years ago when our campaign began. The pool building was locked over the summer and our swimming and diving team is without a home. The cadets still work as hard as ever to be a championship team, but the extra time spent driving to and from a rented pool is taking a toll on them. The pool is not just for the team; water safety skills were a part of the health/physical education curriculum that we are not able to offer this year. The planned facilities improvements will allow the next generations of all students to learn valuable skills.”

Joe Berg ’82, parent of student –

“I have been asked to share with you my thoughts as to why it is important for us to support the Defining Moment Campaign through the eyes of a son whose parents attend many STA functions. My background encompasses Accounting & Finance, Fire & EMS Services, and Fire & Building Codes management. I am a second generation of three generations who have either graduated or will graduate from Saint Thomas Academy. A huge advantage for the additional spaces is to allow for special events such as Grandparents Day and the Annual Auction to be held in one area with plenty of room for everyone.

    Why is this important to you, the STA Community and me?


    • Have you ever had a hip or knee replaced?

    • Ever a see a wheelchair successfully navigate up or down stairs?

    • How many of us have seen a parent, a grandparent or an alumnus having difficulty moving to and from different parts of the school because all of the activities cannot be held in one location?

This may seem a bit extreme but during the 2011 Grandparents Day activities, many of the grandparents remarked about the challenges they had with the number of stairs they had to climb and the distance they had to travel to attend the various events associated with Grandparents Day. I have heard the same remarks made about the annual Auction. The new Activity Center will benefit the students the most and will significantly enhance an STA education. A secondary benefit will allow STA to have the space needed to hold a variety of important events in one large area; not in multiple areas across the campus. Please consider ‘paying it forward’ to the next generations of STA graduates.”


John Bina, Director of Bands –

“Currently, the band room is a cramped and awkward space that is not acoustically ideal. I am looking forward to moving the program to the planned areas in the Activity Center where the students can experience a safe learning environment and we can diversify course offerings. The band room, choir room and practice rooms will provide space for individualized learning and instruction.”

P. Brunkhorst ’12, Swimming/Diving Team Co-Captain –

“The STA swimming and diving team has a proud history of excellence and a new aquatics center is crucial to its continued success. With the pool situation right now, the swimmers and divers have to practice off campus, which doesn’t allow the team to be as accommodating to new swimmers as in years past. In the past, the team has had as many as 80 swimmers, from All-Americans to off-season athletes trying to stay in shape. I believe that this diversity is a testament to the pride swimmers and fellow STA students have in the school’s aquatic program. A new aquatics center is pivotal to keep the proud tradition of STA swimming and diving going.”


LTC Michael DePuglio (Army, ret.), Commandant of Cadets –

“The activity center and expansion of the court area will allow for more room for Mass, formation, reviews, military ceremonies, and inspections. With a larger court, we will be able to have full inspections for three platoons at one time. The activity center would allow us the ability to have indoor reviews if needed due to inclement weather. In addition, in the winter months, we could teach and conduct company size drill. We are excited to have this much needed extra space for instruction across all departments.”

Robley Evans, Director of Business Affairs –

“The need for additional courts has existed for quite some time. We have nine basketball teams, and while the current gym is a great venue to watch games, it is tough to schedule practice for nine different teams. To help with the practice situation, we purchased a used ‘Air Dome’ in 2004 that gave us space for two additional courts. We had to get a conditional use permit from the City of Mendota Heights for the ‘Bubble.’ The original application was for two three-year periods, which went through 2010, with the future vision of the construction of a new Activity Center.
    With the slower economy, the City has been gracious and understanding to continue to grant us one-year extensions, but has also reminded us that the Bubble was suppose to be temporary. The floor in the Bubble is an indoor/outdoor plastic sport court floor, which is far from ideal for the lower grades, and doesn’t work for varsity competition. We need the new gym space for our students, and to keep pace with our competition (both public and private schools who have all expanded their gym facilities).”


Mary Everett, parent of alumnus and 2011 Auction Co-Chair – 

“As last years chair of the STA Community Auction I believe it would be a huge benefit if the auction could someday be held in a space that could house the entire event.
    This is a once a year event that not only brings in a large and necessary donation for the school, but more importantly brings together the STA community of students, parents, teachers, administration and most importantly future families as well as alumni. One of the most challenging things a chairperson faces when planning this event is how to best use the space we have available and showcase the Auction items in the most favorable and profitable setting.  
    Today there are ways to computerize an auction; a way for individuals to have a hand held devise that can be used for bidding all evening and has proven to be very profitable when utilized. Because of the large and cut up space that we have at STA it is difficult to implement this bidding tool.
    Each year there is much discussion about where the silent auction is held, where the how much room we have for guests at dinner and how to make everyone feel that they have a chance to ‘see it all.’ We have an amazing group of people that support the auction year after year and we would like everyone to feel welcome at this event.
    We have been at capacity the last few years and I believe with a different, larger, all-inclusive space, we can open up all kinds of opportunity to make this event even better than it already is. We are fortunate to have such a supportive and involved community at STA so lets maximize what we can do to support this wonderful institution.”


Nate Linscheid, Head Visitation Swimming Coach –

“Our team has grown over time and the current pool only has five lanes. With additional lanes we can more specifically meet the needs of all our athletes. With an average of eight girls per lane, we do the best we can but lack of space is a challenge. Currently, there is no girls’ locker room, so the girls use the visitors’ locker room and have to walk up the stairs, out of the pool area, and then down another set of stairs into the visitor’s locker room. This is, at best, an inconvenience. With a girls’ locker room right off the pool, we would have a safer environment and have more of a sense of belonging at the pool.”


Bill McCarthy, Health/Physical Education Department Chair –

“With the number of students who participate in co-curricular athletics in both the middle and upper school, the need for an updated, training, practice and competition facility is overdue. The focus of the Defining Moment Campaign is very exciting! Just think of the possibilities for Physical Education classes!
    In the past 15 years, I have seen too many teams be forced to ‘make do’ with crowded facilities that were originally designed for less students. We now have 6:00 a.m. practices and teams that are forced to work out after 6:00 p.m. because of the lack of facilities. This puts an unnecessary strain on student life and academic performance, not to mention the quality and effectiveness of practice time.
    With an expanded weight room and locker room, we will be able to offer facilities that support our student-athletes as they develop life-long fitness skills contributing to their positive experience here at Saint Thomas Academy.”


Dr. Lori Pearce, Science Department Chair –

“The science department looks forward to the new classroom space that will be provided by the construction of the activity center. The current space and equipment do not allow us to offer all of the courses and curriculum we would like to include at a college prep school. Students at the Academy receive an exceptional science education. The addition of new rooms and renovation of current classrooms, labs and equipment will greatly enhance the experience for teachers and students alike.”

 

Justin Roberson, Faculty –

“Our Fine Arts Department has changed significantly in the past two years with the hiring of Martina Kelly (middle school/high school visual arts), John Bina (band) and myself (high school visual arts). We have added/expanded courses, including ceramics, digital photography and graphic design that have gained much popularity among the students. As the fine arts department continues to grow, we look forward to the new art suite that will allow for a more cohesive fine arts department. Students will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, including new band and choir rooms, new ceramics and drawing/painting studios, and new a graphic arts computer lab. Also included is a gallery space to showcase students’ artwork.”


S. Thie ’12, VISTA Band member –

“With the new band room future cadets won’t have to deal with the ‘sound’ of the room. Being in the corner of the building makes it really hard to practice. The room is so small that we have to wear earplugs so we don’t lose our hearing. It is hard to play under those conditions because one of the focuses in band is how different instruments sound together. With a bigger band room we will be able to support our growing program and accommodate the kids who want to make music.”

Parents of STA and Visitation swimmers –

“As parents with children who swim at both STA and Visitation, building a new pool
 at STA is at the top of our priority list. Not only are the swim teams the single most
 successful sports team on campus in terms of State Championships won, they are 
also very successful in developing quality student athletes who have learned the 
value of hard work and know how to win both in and out of the pool. The piece that is missing is a sufficient pool facility. The current pool, even if repaired, is wholly inadequate for the size of these programs.”


Grandfather of STA student –

“I am writing to convey my feelings [about the recent Grandparents Day]. I do understand how the best plans can go awry, and you, of course know that your facility was overfilled and crowded. My wife and I had to sit in the bleachers – severely uncomfortable, cramped quarters to say the least – a poor fit for aged people because, as the program wears on, stiffness proceeds to occupy our bones and muscles. With a bad knee, my wife wondered how she would make it down to the floor – grandson was helpful.” 

Paul Solmon, Director of Facilities –

Saint Thomas Academy is steeped in tradition. But you all know that; the word academy comes to us from the Greeks. During the fourth century BC, Plato’s academy, or college, of philosophy was located in the outskirts of Athens. On that location there had been an olive grove, park, and gymnasium sacred to the legendary Greek hero Academus.
     In the late 1950s and early 1960s it became clear to the leaders of our Academy that in order to survive we needed to move to a site where we could grow. They chose to move to the outskirts of St. Paul. In choosing to build in Mendota Heights they consciously chose to build near the oldest community in the state, Mendota. The “New Building Program” issued on October 10, 1961 envisioned, “Materials will be bold and durable…” The program that developed our current campus was a success. When Saint Thomas Academy moved to the New Campus in 1965, it moved to a state of the art facility; state of the art for the early 1960s.
     St. Thomas Aquinas held that truth is true wherever it is found. The truth for our campus today is that it is time to make some major repairs and to again grow. Most of the campus is still served by facilities infrastructure that was installed with the original buildings. The heating, ventilation system while well maintained is long past its projected service life; the system controls are a conglomeration of original equipment, modifications and numerous repairs. The result we live with today is that we have a difficult to maintain, noisy, inefficient and hard to regulate temperature control system. Much of the plumbing is run in galvanized steel pipe that is also nearing the end of service life. 
     Though hard to understand by today’s standards, the multi-level plan incorporating numerous stairways was intentional and done in part, “to create an environment conductive to learning and reverence.” For anyone who has ever helped a person with limited mobility move around our campus, one of the most significant additions will be an elevator. Additionally, the elevator will drastically reduce the need to haul cleaning equipment, band equipment and chairs up and down the steps.
     The building improvements included in the Defining Moment Campaign will yield a more efficient, greener, safer and more visitor friendly Academy.