Former White House Chief of Staff to visit

This coming Friday, CSB+SJU scholar-in-residence Denis McDonough will be on campus as a part of the McCarthy Center’s “Politics and Pasta” discussion series. The discussion will focus especially on how people navigate healthcare and executive power. McDonough will be talking with three student speakers for the first half of the conversation, before opening an audience Q&A.

McDonough, a 1992 SJU grad, will return to Collegeville several times this fall before co-teaching a course in the spring titled Healthcare Finance and Policy in the 21st Century.

McDonough served as President Obama’s Chief of Staff from 2013- 2017 before being appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the Biden Administration, a position he held from 2021 until this past January. McCarthy Center director Matt Lindstrom said that McDonough’s extensive federal experience provides students with a unique opportunity.

“McDonough was in the White House for many years and was instrumental in several policy milestones of this country,” Lindstrom said, specifically citing the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the defeat of Osama bin Laden.

The McCarthy Center, formally known as the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, is named for Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy (SJU ‘35). Now in its 19th year, the Center’s mission is to promote the value of politics and civic engagement while offering students meaningful opportunities to engage with the issues that shape their communities, according to its website.

McCarthy Center Administrative Assistant Anastasia Nathe said McDonough’s presence on campus is an exciting chance for students to hear from an accomplished alum.

“I think when you see any alum that’s willing to share their story, it’s amazing to realize how many connections there are,” Nathe said.

CSB senior Zoey Coval, a Student Coordinator for the McCarthy Center, agreed, pointing out that his story is one that a lot of people aspire to emulate and emphasized that establishing personal relationships with alumni is invaluable.

“McDonough has had the same experience that everybody [currently] at this school is having, which makes him even more relatable for students,” Coval said.

Lindstrom added that students’ political leanings shouldn’t dissuade them from attending the event.

“Whatever your political flavor, this is a great opportunity to learn from someone who cares about the CSB+SJU community,” he said. “McDonough is a major policy maker who is willing to take questions from different views and is willing to engage with people from all opinions and labels.”

Lindstrom said that active discussion is important in a time when politics is fraught with polarization and uncertainty.

“We need to be open to hearing things we may disagree with, with the ability to challenge or question these ideas, encouraging a real discussion,” he said. “[Everyone should] get out of their echo chambers, off their screens and in front of other human beings to have a conversation.”

McDonough will speak at 12:30 pm on Friday in the Founders Room, Quad 170, on the SJU campus. Lunch will be provided for attendees. Spots are limited, so registration is required. Prior to the talk, there will be an informal meet-and-greet from 10:45-12:00 in Simons Hall that is open to all.