Admitted student event held in cities

The Best Buy headquarters in Richfield, Minn. hosted a reception for newly accepted students who have applied to CSB+SJU. At the Jan. 31 event, prospective students had a chance to talk with current students, faculty and alums as well as explore areas of possible interest. Accepted students got to hear talks from President Brian Bruess and Corie Barry, Best Buy CEO and ’97 St. Ben’s alum.

Dean of Admissions Cory Piper was ecstatic about the event and the impact it will have on students coming into CSB+SJU. “The event is a wonderful showcase of all that CSB+SJU offers and our Benedictine hospitality and community,” Piper said via email.

Sen. Ben Bugbee, an SJU firstyear majoring in political science and economics, was invited to go to the event as a current student representative and gave many of his insights about the event and the schools. He said that he was honored to be invited to the event as, last year, this event helped him to enroll at St. John’s.

“I remember attending this event last year and thinking…what a treat they are putting this on, what enthusiasm they have in the crowd. Also, the genuine passion the panelists have; I was really impressed with the panelists last year,” Bugbee said.

Admissions focuses on events like these to display the community at St. Ben’s and St. John’s. Roughly 150 accepted students showed up to the event, and Bugbee thought there was great feedback from the prospective students.

“They were excited…This is a big moment. You’re going through the excitement and angst of the college decision process…A lot of these people that were coming up to me, I could see the light in their eyes and excitement. As they get closer and closer to realizing St. John’s was the right college for them…You’re going to be able to fit no question here at St. John’s,” Bugbee said.

This event comes at a time when many higher education institutes have seen drops in enrollment.

According to The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, undergraduate enrollment fell by 9% from spring 2019 to spring 2023. Piper described how St. Ben’s and St. John’s have fought these challenges and how they are improving on enrollment.

“Last year we welcomed 60 more students than we did the previous year. We are projecting the same class sizes this year with slightly moderate growth… We enroll 25-30% of students who are admitted. Our prospective students apply and are accepted on average to six colleges,” Piper said.

Part of the reception was to show the community that the schools build through alumni, which have made St. Ben’s and St. John’s well-known across the state. They were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 by Zippia in 2019 for getting a job after graduation.

“We highlight alums in our admission materials, on our website, have alums speak at our programs, etc. 97% of our graduates are employed, in grad school or in a volunteer program six months after graduation,” Piper said.

Bugbee believes the “Bennie and Johnnie Network”, or the “Alumni Network” are what many leaders in Minnesota look for.

“I have had business leaders from the cities who don’t have background with St. Ben’s say this to me… ‘St. John’s and St. Ben’s has the strongest network in Minnesota…Nobody builds community like St. John’s does and St. Ben’s does.’ And with that, having Corie Barry at the event, having her host the event…Having her speak, share her story, I think, really gave way to the profound sense of community and comradery that we build with our peers, our colleagues, our classmates within this alumni system,” Bugbee said.