Saint Mary’s welcomes John Pyle as Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University has announced that John Pyle, Ed.D., has taken over the new role of Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives. In this role, Pyle will be responsible for enrollment at the College, marketing for the university, and strategic initiatives as approved by the president.

Pyle comes to Saint Mary’s from Aurora University where he served as Senior Vice President with chief operating responsibilities for Aurora University’s Wisconsin-based campus, George Williams College. Prior to that role, Pyle served as Associate Vice President for Planning and Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Hamline University. Pyle was also the former Vice President for Graduate and Professional Programs at Saint Mary’s. 

Pyle has an Ed.D. from Saint Mary’s, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Immaculata College, and he has participated in the Harvard Institute for Higher Education. Pyle, who began his appointment on Aug. 26, will reside in Winona.

Saint Mary’s 10th president, Brother Peter Clifford, dies

WINONA, Minn. — Brother Peter Clifford, FSC, the 10th president of Saint Mary’s University, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, N.J.

A dedicated educational visionary and financial steward, Brother Peter served as president of Saint Mary’s from 1976 to 1984, and is credited for bringing fiscal security to the college. Brother Peter also fostered close relationships between Saint Mary’s and the city of Winona by being an active member of the community. During his presidency, he served on the boards of both the Winona Chamber of Commerce and Norwest Bank.

Additionally, he initiated the first graduate course offerings in the Twin Cities and laid the financial groundwork for the Performance Center and the ice arena on the Winona campus.

Brother Peter was born in the Bronx in New York City on Feb. 17, 1925. He graduated from St. Jerome’s School in the Bronx in 1939 and entered the Junior Novitiate of the Christian Brothers in Barrytown, N.Y.  He entered to the Brothers Novitiate in 1943, made his first vows in 1944, and made his final vows in 1950.

Brother Peter studied history at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., received his B.A. degree in Education from Manhattan College in 1950, and an M.A. degree in History from Fordham University in 1957. In 1968, he received a CAS degree in Educational Administration from Harvard University. In 1970, he received an Ed.D. degree in Educational Administration, also from Harvard.

Brother Peter’s ministry career was varied. He taught at grammar schools, served as a missionary in the Philippines, acted as the academic dean at De La Salle College in Manila, served as an administrator at a variety of high schools, worked for the Catholic Schools office in Brooklyn, N.Y., and acted as the executive secretary for secondary schools at the National Catholic Education Association.

Brother Peter’s ministry in higher education began as an academic dean at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queen, before coming to Saint Mary’s.

After the conclusion of his work at Saint Mary's, Brother Peter served as Provincial of the LINE District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for three years and for two years as an Assistant in Higher Education for the U.S. Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C.  His last college connection was as President of St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kan., from 1989 to 1994.

Brother Peter then became Director of Finance for the LINE District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.  He moved back to Winona in 2000 and worked as a vice president for the Metanoia Group, a consulting enterprise at Saint Mary’s University, until 2002. He then moved back to Rhode Island where he became Assistant to the President of Ocean Tides, a residential center for delinquents, until his illness this year.

A wake for Brother Peter will be held at the Christian Brothers Center in Narragansett, R.I., on Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, 2013.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Christian Brothers Center on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11 a.m.

Brother William Mann, FSC, President, will represent Saint Mary's University at the wake, Mass, and burial.

“Brother Peter will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his strong leadership and for establishing a solid financial foundation at Saint Mary’s, enabling us to significantly expand our reach and educational reputation,” Brother William said. “Those who worked alongside Brother Peter will also remember his kindness, generosity and enduring spirit. He will be missed.”

Kintzi named vice president, Development at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — Audrey Kintzi, M.S., ACFRE, assumed the role of vice president, Development at Saint Mary’s University in July. Kintzi formerly served Saint Mary’s as senior development director. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member for the university’s Masters in Philanthropy and Development Program.

Kintzi brings considerable experience to this position after working in the development field for more than 25 years. Before joining Saint Mary’s, she served the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter, as the executive vice president of development.

 A 1983 graduate of Mankato State University, she obtained the designation of CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) in 1991. In October of 2004, she obtained the highly esteemed ACFRE (Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive) credential. This advanced fundraising credential has been conferred on fewer than 100 people internationally. Kintzi is also a past president of the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

“I am deeply honored to be serving as the vice president, Development for Saint Mary’s University,” Kintzi said. “We are deeply blessed to have an incredible faculty, amazing students and the support of our alumni, friends and community members. I look forward to the opportunity to work with all of these amazing individuals to further our mission to awaken, nurture and empower learners to ethical lives of service and leadership.”

She and her husband Ron have two children, Nathan and Amanda. They are active volunteers with their church and a number of nonprofit organizations including the Girl Scouts, the Arthritis Foundation and Gilda’s Club in the Twin Cities.

New dean appointed for SMU School of Humanities and Sciences

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. Genevieve Robinson, a member of the Benedictine Order, has been named dean of Humanities and Sciences at Saint Mary’s University’s Winona campus.

She will assume the dean’s position on June 1. Dr. Robinson most recently served as dean of Undergraduate Studies at Fontbonne University in Saint Louis, Mo. Prior to her work at Fontbonne University, she spent 22 years at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. Her administrative experience at Rockhurst University included serving as chair of the Department of History and the Division of Humanities, and as the director of the University Honors Program.

 Dr. Robinson will join Dr. Donna Aronson, vice president of Academic Affairs, and the three other College deans, Dr. Tom Marpe, Dr. Scott Sorvaag, and Michael Charron, on the SMU undergraduate college Academic Council.

Lemmer named associate VP for Marketing and Communication

WINONA, Minn. — Nick Lemmer was named associate vice president for Marketing & Communication on Saint Mary's University's Winona campus in January.

In this position, Lemmer — a 1994 Saint Mary’s alumnus — oversees the campus’ marketing, communication, sports information, and graphic and web services.

A native of Winona, Lemmer comes to Saint Mary’s from Inver Hills Community College, where he served as director of marketing from 2009-2012. At Inver Hills, he successfully led a redesign and rebuilding of the college website and contributed to an 8.3 percent enrollment growth. Additionally he completed an overhaul of the college brand including position, messaging, identity and standards.

Prior to Inver Hills, he worked for Clockwork Active Media Systems and Hanley Wood Marketing, both in Minneapolis. Lemmer brings with him a wealth of experience in media relations, marketing and communications.

Lemmer holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Carlson School of Management.

“Saint Mary’s University and its mission have had a significant impact on my life,” he said. “I look forward to building on the reputation and regard of Saint Mary’s through quality marketing and communication efforts.”

He and his wife, Kristina, have two daughters, Madeline and Charlotte.

Senior vice president named to lead university advancement at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. – Dr. Steven Titus has been named senior vice president for university advancement at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Titus is the former vice president for university advancement at Pacific Lutheran University and former president of Midland Lutheran College. He most recently was a member of The Reid Group, a national Catholic consulting practice headquartered in Seattle, Wash.

“Dr. Titus is a seasoned higher education leader with close ties to Winona and Minneapolis,” said Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University. “I am absolutely delighted to have him join our executive team. His leadership and experience will help Saint Mary’s University achieve its bold vision for the future.”

Titus said he is pleased to be “joining a university of Saint Mary’s reputation and impact. Saint Mary’s has grown into a global, doctoral-granting university, distinguishing itself as innovative and responsive in both undergraduate and graduate education. Saint Mary’s is one of the most well-positioned universities in the region and I am honored to help lead its strategic future, and to build on its considerable strength through its advancement programs.”

Titus is a native of Denver, Colo. He is a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University and holds a law degree from Marquette University and a Ph.D. from The University of Virginia.