Saint John's University (Minnesota)

Saint John's University (Minnesota)
Name	Saint John's University
Established	1857
Type	Private liberal arts college
Religious affiliation	Catholic Church (Order of Saint Benedict)
Endowment	$215.2 million (2020)
President	Brian J. Bruess
City	Collegeville
State	Minnesota
Country	United States
Campus	Rural, 2,700 acres
Students	1,600
Faculty	140
Colors	Red and Black
Nickname	Johnnies
Mascot	Johnnie
Affiliations	Minnesota Private College Council, Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities

Saint John's University (Minnesota) is a private Benedictine liberal arts college for men located in Collegeville, Minnesota. Founded in 1857 by monks of the Order of Saint Benedict, it forms a unique coordinate partnership with the adjacent College of Saint Benedict, a women's college. The institution is renowned for its commitment to the Benedictine intellectual tradition, its expansive natural campus, and its strong programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and theology.

History

The university was founded in 1857 by Benedictine monks led by Abbot Boniface Wimmer, who established Saint John's Abbey on land granted by the United States Congress. The early campus was located near St. Cloud before relocating to its present site in Collegeville in 1866. Key figures in its development included Abbot Alexius Edelbrock and Abbot Alcuin Deutsch, who oversaw significant expansion. The institution evolved from a seminary and preparatory school into a full college by the early 20th century, formally becoming **Saint John's University** in 1930. Its historic partnership with the College of Saint Benedict was solidified in 1961, creating a nationally recognized model of coordinate single-sex education.

Campus

The university's 2,700-acre campus is situated amidst forests, lakes, and prairies in central Minnesota. Its architectural centerpiece is the iconic Abbey and University Church of Saint John the Baptist, designed by the renowned architect Marcel Breuer and completed in 1961. Other notable Breuer structures include Alcuin Library and the Saint John's Preparatory School building. The campus encompasses the Saint John's Abbey and The Saint John's Bible heritage program, the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, and the Saint John's Pottery studio. It also includes the Saint John's Arboretum and the Saint John's Observatory, emphasizing its connection to the natural environment.

Academics

Saint John's University offers a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum through its coordinate program with the College of Saint Benedict, granting degrees through the **College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University**. Students can choose from over 60 majors and minors, with particularly strong programs in biology, economics, political science, and theology. The university houses the School of Theology·Seminary, one of the largest graduate schools of theology in the United States. It is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium and has a distinguished faculty that includes scholars like John K. O'Loughlin and Dietrich Reinhart.

Student life

Student life is deeply influenced by the Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and stewardship. All students are part of the Saint John's Senate and participate in over 100 student-led clubs and organizations. A hallmark of campus life is the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, which places graduates in service around the world. The university's location fosters a strong outdoor culture, with activities centered on Lake Sagatagan and the extensive trail system. The annual Christmas at Saint John's concert and the Benedictine Institute lecture series are major cultural events.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the **Johnnies**, compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) of NCAA Division III. The football program, coached for decades by the legendary John Gagliardi, holds the all-time national record for collegiate football victories. Other successful programs include basketball, baseball, and ice hockey. The team's primary rival is the University of St. Thomas, and they compete for the Holy Grail. Home games are played at Clemens Stadium and the Warner Palaestra.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields such as politics, academia, business, and the arts. They include former United States Senator and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Thomas A. Steitz, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Hassler. Other distinguished graduates are former Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, astronaut candidate Robert D. Cabana, and former president of the University of Notre Dame, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh.

Category:Universities and colleges in Minnesota Category:Benedictine universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1857