On September 22, 2022, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University marked a significant moment with the official inauguration of Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D. Bruess was appointed as the joint president of the two schools in March of that year and began his duties on July 1st. This inauguration ceremony was a historic occasion as Bruess is the first joint president in the 100-plus-year history of the schools.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Sacred Heart Chapel at Saint Ben’s, followed by a ceremony at the Abbey and University Church at Saint John’s. The event was attended by hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to celebrate this milestone. Bruess’s appointment is the first of its kind in the country, where one person serves as the president of two four-year colleges.
Bruess’s appointment marked an important step in the implementation of a new governance and leadership structure for CSB and SJU. Historically, the two schools have operated under separate governance boards, even though they have a joint curriculum on separate campuses located six miles apart. To reflect the unity between the two schools’ student experience, CSB and SJU now operate under a “Strong Integration” governance structure. This structure is designed to produce bolder strategies, greater innovation, and nimbler decision-making.
“At a time when many higher education institutions are struggling, we are evolving for our students and our communities,” said Bruess. “Our Strong Integration model celebrates our unity and what makes our schools unique. The student experience will continue to be the center of everything we do, and that is why the future of Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s is strong.”
Before coming to CSB and SJU, Bruess was the president of St. Norbert College, a well-known Catholic liberal arts school located in De Pere, Wisconsin. Prior to this, he worked at St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota for 21 years, where he held various positions. This included a three-year period as the school’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. St. Catherine University is a Catholic liberal arts women’s institution.
“I see the inauguration of Brian as the ultimate celebration of what we have worked to achieve since the concept of Strong Integration was first hatched,” said LeAnne Stewart ’87, the chair of the CSB and SJU Boards of Trustees. “Recruiting a president who could lead our institutions forward, together, was a critical milestone. The inauguration is a community-focused celebration of Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s and all that we can achieve together.”
