Photo by Rebecca Zenefski Slater ’10
From the
"For 106 years the area of Alumni Relations has pursued the work of connecting the minds, hearts, and spirits of graduates to each other and to ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â, our beloved alma mater.
It all started in 1917, when the College of St. Catherine had fewer than 25 alumnae. Antonia McHugh, CSJ, the highest-ranking college officer at that time, called a meeting of four new graduates 'to form ways to keep in contact with college friends, recruit new students, and raise money for a scholarship fund through buying defense bonds.'
I believe that the development of alumni relations at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â over the past 100 years parallels the progress of women’s lives and work. For instance, until the mid-1950s women frequently used their talents and leadership skills for the benefit of volunteer organizations, including the Alumnae Association. These talents expanded throughout the 60s and 70s, as more St. Catherine alumnae began working outside the home, and through the 80s and 90s, which saw an increase in variety and flexibility of alumnae volunteer opportunities. By the time we reached the 2000s and became a University, graduates of all programs and genders were willing to take on whatever activity or task most benefited St. Kate’s future.
Today’s alumni volunteers mentor students, participate in focus groups, and build the alumni community, all while maintaining robust careers and personal lives. As they were in 1917, graduates are generous in sharing their talents with other alumni and with St. Catherine students. Nothing has changed — and a tremendous amount has changed!"
—Ruth Haag Brombach ’60
Read the history of the Alumnae Association published in the spring 1995 SCAN:
Eleanor Hoch Heinen ’40, second from left, presents a check for the Margaret Heinen Matheny Bequest to alumnae association leaders Peggy Carroll Quinn ’43, Barbara Kueppers Fitzpatrick ’57, and Ruth Haag Brombach ’60 in 1977.
Photo courtesy of ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â Library and Archives.
Alumnae officers Lois Gruenfelder ’43, Grace Guarnera ’41, and Mary Frances Kennedy Hamel ’48 present a rendering to faculty advisor Sister Maris Stella (Alice Smith, CSJ, ’24) in 1949, in service to fundraising efforts for a new library building.
Photo courtesy of ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â Library and Archives.
Brombach retired in January 2024 after 51 years of alumni relations leadership. At right, her 1960 yearbook photo.
Photo at left by Rebecca Zenefski Slater ’10.
ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â Ruth
A 1960 graduate, Ruth Haag Brombach retired in January 2024 after 51 years of leadership with St. Kate’s alumni relations in different capacities. Brombach volunteered for the Alumnae Association after graduating, and in June 1972, she began working part time for the Association, becoming director in 1973. During her tenure, the Association ran the annual fund and a variety of events such as yearly Reunions, Children’s Carnivals, Minneapolis campus programs, Memorial Masses, and Conversation with Books. For 41 years, Brombach was also editor of the widely-read St. Catherine Alumnae News (SCAN) publication, out of which grew today’s University magazine. With her personal investment in alumni needs, deep institutional knowledge, and complete dedication to the St. Catherine mission, Brombach’s service has helped to shape the continuing evolution of alumni relations over the years. Her decades of thoughtful collaboration with graduates form a robust springboard for alumni community work for years to come, and we congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement.
In 1998, SCAN celebrated Brombach’s 25th anniversary in St. Kate’s Alumni Relations. Read the profile at stkate.edu/Ruth.