St. Thomas Day
Join us on May 6, 2026, as we honor members of the St. Thomas community who live out our mission and make a lasting impact on campus and beyond.
Join us on May 6, 2026, as we honor members of the St. Thomas community who live out our mission and make a lasting impact on campus and beyond.
On St. Thomas Day, we recognize and celebrate members of the St. Thomas community who are sparking meaningful change in the world as they live and extend the St. Thomas mission. These Tommies are making an incredible impact on campus, in our local communities, across the country and around the world.
May 6, 2026
Schedule of Events
The reception will include opportunities to connect with the honorees. We will have a cash bar and will serve sodas and hors d'oeuvres.
St. Thomas Day recognizes and celebrates members of our community for their contributions. St. Thomas Day is a longstanding celebration of the patron saint of the university, St. Thomas Aquinas, for whom the university is named.
The Humanitarian Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna for contributions to the betterment of the spiritual and material welfare of the less fortunate. Dr. John P. Knoedler ’73 is a physician, educator and humanitarian whose life’s work reflects a deep commitment to the common good. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of the College of St. Thomas, he built a distinguished medical career as a pulmonologist and radiologist, earning recognition as a leading expert in chest imaging and as a patient, devoted teacher honored with multiple Teacher of the Year awards.
The Monsignor James Lavin Award honors an alumnus or alumna for outstanding contributions and service to the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association, its programs and services. Mark C. Dienhart, PhD ’75 is a Tommie whose lifelong leadership and service epitomize the Monsignor James Lavin Award. A summa cum laude graduate and standout All-American athlete in football and track at St. Thomas, Mark went on to play briefly for the Buffalo Bills before building a remarkable career in athletics administration, banking and higher education. He served as Director of Athletics at the University of Minnesota, Senior VP at U.S. Bancorp, and later as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at St. Thomas, where he oversaw major growth, fundraising and campus development.
The Spirit of St. Thomas Award recognizes the professional and/or personal achievement of Tommies under 40. Julián Ocampo ’16, ’18 MBA embodies the Spirit of St. Thomas through leadership rooted in service, humility and corazón. A first-generation college graduate and owner of five successful restaurants, Julián has built an impressive business while staying deeply connected to his family’s roots and the Twin Cities Latino community. His success is measured not just in growth, but in the jobs he creates, the people he uplifts and the community he strengthens.
The Distinguished Alumna Award honors an alumnus or alumna for leadership and service to St. Thomas, the community and in their field of endeavor. Penny George ’95 is a retired psychologist, philanthropist and longtime advocate for whole-person wellbeing. Since 1998, Penny and her husband, Bill, have served as co-chairs of the George Family Foundation, supporting authentic leadership and transformative programs that serve the common good. Her visionary leadership helped launch the Bravewell Collaborative, the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Allina Health, and the Catalyst Initiative, which supports culturally grounded approaches to healing trauma.
The Tommie Award recognizes a St. Thomas senior who, according to our students, faculty, and staff, best represents the ideals of St. Thomas Aquinas through scholarship, leadership, and campus involvement. Rachel Obeakemhe ’26 exemplifies the ideals of the Tommie Award through her leadership, scholarship and deep commitment to community. A business major and three-year resident advisor, Rachel describes her RA experience as one of the most meaningful parts of her time at St. Thomas, shaping her ability to lead with empathy, listen with care and foster belonging for students navigating college life for the first time.
The Professor of the Year Award recognizes a St. Thomas faculty member for their excellence in teaching, scholarship, and inspiration to students. Dr. Kari Zimmerman, Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department, is a deeply respected teacher, scholar and leader whose work embodies the spirit of the Professor of the Year Award. Known for her rare combination of warmth and rigor, she builds strong relationships with students while challenging them through thoughtfully designed courses that foster confidence, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world.
During St. Thomas Day 2025, we celebrated four alumni, a professor and a student who are inspiring others as they live and extend the St. Thomas mission.
We invite you to view the 2025 event program highlighting the accomplishments of our honorees.
Network with fellow alumni or mentor current students on St. Thomas Connect, an online community exclusively for Tommie alumni, students, faculty and staff.
Share your experience and career insights, helping students and fellow alumni navigate their careers with confidence and grow into the next generation of leaders.
Participate in service activities that support our communities, or share your knowledge and expertise with students and strengthen the Tommie network.
Support our students and mission, helping them gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed and make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.
