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piper jaffray president deb schoneman at first friday podium

First Friday

For more than 25 years, St. Thomas alumni and friends have been drawn to the First Friday Speaker Series luncheons to network and hear first-hand from the community’s most interesting “thought leaders.” Their often candid and always relevant messages offer a unique perspective on the common good, and divulge what’s next for Minnesota and beyond.

Luncheon Information

Tickets and Tables

All guests enjoy a seated lunch and complimentary parking in the Anderson Parking Facility on campus.

  • Individual tickets - $35 general / $10 Young Alumni (2009 - 2019) / $5 St. Thomas students
  • Table host - table of eight, $245 (savings of $35!)*

*Table pricing, event location and parking information are different for the Alumni Christmas Luncheon. Please see the Alumni Christmas Luncheon page for more details.

Networking

Network with fellow Tommies and friends of the university before and after the program. Events begin with registration and networking at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon and will be wrapped up by 1:15 p.m.

Directions and Parking

James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall
Anderson Student Center, 3rd floor
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul campus

Complimentary parking will be available in the Anderson Parking Facility on the corner of Grand and Cretin avenues (#71 on the map). Please take a ticket to enter the ramp. You will receive a parking voucher at the end of the luncheon that can be handed to a parking official upon exiting the ramp.

Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships are also available. Contact Jessica Etten, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, for further details at jessica.etten@stthomas.edu.

Dietary Information

All non-vegetarian entrées are gluten free. A vegetarian or dairy-free option (which may contain gluten) will be available upon request when you register. Please note that we cannot accommodate other special dietary restrictions, for example, shellfish, fish, nuts.

Meet Our Speakers

headshot of Greg Cunningham

October 4

Greg Cunningham, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, U.S. Bank
Register
headshot of Ben Fowke

November 1

Ben Fowke, Chairman, President, CEO, Xcel Energy
Register
portrait of Father John Malone

December 6

Alumni Christmas Luncheon, featuring Father John Malone
Register
headshot of Corie Berry

February 7

Corie Barry, CEO, Best Buy Co. Inc.
Register
headshot of Gaye Adams Massey

March 6

Gaye Adams Massey, CEO, YWCA St. Paul
Register
headshot of Neel Kashkari

April 3

Neel Kashkari, CEO and President, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Register
woman speaking at podium

Watch From Home

Couldn't make it to the latest First Friday? Watch a recording of our most recent speaker here or all of this year's speakers on our YouTube channel.

Five Observations at First Friday

The industry leaders who speak at First Friday offer top-notch insight into our world today. Read some highlights and key takeaways shared by previous speakers.

minnesota bank & trust logo

We are grateful to the following 2019-2020 sponsors:

Thank You!

Minnesota Bank & Trust
Platinum sponsor