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Celebrating the 2023 Hall of Honor Recipients

Celebrating the 2023 Hall of Honor Recipients
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The BSM Hall of Honor publicly honors our BSM heritage, salutes the dedication and service of volunteers, and recognizes the professional longevity of employees.
 

Our 2023 honorees have made a significant contribution to the lives of many in the Benilde-St. Margaret’s and greater community.

Leadership

Pat Fournier - 2023 Hall of Honor

Pat Fournier is warm, welcoming, competitive, and wise. She and her late husband Tom made the decision in 1979 to send their daughter Michelle ’83 to BSM. That was the beginning of a beautiful family legacy. Marielle ’86 and Tommy ’88 joined Michelle as Red Knights, and the next generation followed suit. Pat has a vibrant presence, whether she’s at the Knight for All Seasons gala, Grandparents’ Day, Knightsbridge, or a Red Knight game.

From the start, she brought energy, ideas and investment to BSM, and today her impact can be seen across our campus and community. The Atrium and CUBE are now at the heart of our school and Pat’s leadership investments made the construction of those spaces possible. In addition, she has helped keep a BSM education accessible by supporting students and families in need of tuition assistance.

The Fournier connections continue with alum grandchildren Julia ‘12, Jay ‘15, and Eric Weber ’18, and current seniors Vivi and Francie Fournier. This family commitment is the blueprint for support in the BSM community, and it extends from one generation to the next, and the next. Pat Fournier is an exceptional woman who continues to leave a remarkable legacy at BSM. 

Thank you, Pat!


Bill Graves - 2023 Hall of Honor

A proverb says, “The community of living is the carriage of the Lord.” John and Denise Graves used this as a blueprint when they created The John and Denise Graves Family Foundation to focus on community-building, youth development, education, and housing in the Twin Cities. John and Denise started investing in the BSM mission in 1998 when their three sons – Bill ’02 (pictured at right), Joey ’03, and Johnny ‘08 - began their Red Knight journeys.

In 2014, they sold a successful family business, and launched the foundation that would give wings to their dream of helping grow strong, sustainable, caring communities. What happened next would impact BSM and our community and many others for generations to come.

In 2015, Bill Graves created a pathway for scholars from KIPP Academy in North Minneapolis to attend BSM. This partnership has opened doors, eyes, hearts and minds - adding a rich depth and perspective to the BSM experience, while launching the college careers of terrific Red Knights. Since this partnership was established, the Graves Foundation has supported the BSM academic and co-curricular careers of 12 BSM students, six of whom have now graduated.

Bill is the founding president of the Foundation which has had such an impact on the community and on all the students served.

Thanks to The Graves Foundation, a BSM education is possible for a cohort of exceptional Red Knights who have made the school community stronger through their leadership, resilience, academic and co-curricular work, and contributions.

Thank you, John and Denise!


Distinguished Alumni Award

Corrina Colwell Conley - 2023 Hall of Honor

Corrina Colwell Conley ‘79 has built her life on faith, integrity, leadership and service. After graduating from BSM, Corrina attended the College of St. Benedict where she earned a BA in accounting and French. She went on to get an MBA in Human Resource Management at the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business, and completed an Executive Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. She began her professional career in fiduciary accounting and worked in departmental and executive leadership.

She held various roles at Paragon Strategic Solutions including senior vice president and operations leader, and was named president in 2003. Her analytical leadership also included executing business strategy and developing new products and revenue streams. Throughout her professional rise, she continued to be a person of deep faith, rooted in the spiritual ideals of her religion, which was shaped and reinforced by her educational experiences at Benilde-St. Margaret’s and the College of Saint Benedict.

She retired in 2008 and soon after began her own consulting firm called Forward LLC, specializing in financial accounting, strategic leadership, and operational expertise. Corrina also lends her financial savvy and kind heart as a volunteer on many board committees and organizations. Corrina and husband Paul live in Minneapolis and have three Red Knight graduates: Sam ‘12, Ben ’13, and Rachel ‘15.

Congratulations, Corrina!


Nick Schneider - 2023 Hall of Honor

Nick Schneider ‘01 was an involved Red Knight and made his mark in the classroom and on the track and cross-country course. Nick’s athleticism and remarkable talent earned him a high school All-American honor, six state championships, school records in five events and state records in two events. After graduation, Nick took his running career to Duke University where he continued to amass many top awards during his running career, and he was named a 3-time Duke MVP.

Nick graduated from Duke with a degree in economics and began his career at Dell Technologies as a regional sales manager. From there he moved to a risk management company called Code42. In 2016, Nick accepted a position at Arctic Wolf, a cyber security company specializing in security monitoring to detect and respond to cyber threats. During his career at Arctic Wolf, he has led the company through eight consecutive years of unprecedented sales growth and was the driving force behind the company’s 2020 move from California to Eden Prairie.

In 2021, he stepped in as CEO and secured $350 million in capital, making Arctic Wolf one of the most valuable privately held cybersecurity companies in the world. Last March, Nick was named to Minneapolis Business Journal’s 40 under 40 for his business leadership and financial success. Nick and his wife Jessica live in Excelsior with their three children Cate, Maddie, and Mark.

Congratulations, Nick!


Volunteer Service Award

Oufreez Argenta - 2023 Hall of Honor

Oufreez Argenta has volunteered at countless events in her years at BSM. She began in 2013 when daughter Maya ’19 entered seventh grade and she’s not leaving until Dominic ‘23 graduates this spring. The Parent Ambassador program first benefitted from her leadership and the Student/Faculty Recognition program closely followed. Both are programs initiated and staffed by the Parent Association.

In 2019 Oufreez assumed the leadership role in the Parent Association (PA), and she guided them and all of their activities through COVID. She was able to pivot and direct appropriate adjustment while still providing services to the school and the students. Although often in a leadership role, Oufreez faithfully volunteered at many other PA and all-school events.

Last year she sent the Class of ’22 off with glory and great fun at the senior party, a fitting end to her official duties. 

Thank you, Oufreez!


Meaghan and Jim Dowden - 2023 Hall of Honor

The Dowdens, Meaghan Hickok Dowden ’90 and Jim (pictured at right with BSM junior high admissions director, Ted Freese), are a hardworking duo who spend countless hours at BSM. It is a rare Red Knight event when one or both are not here. Meaghan has an official position on the Parent Association Board. For five years she has served as the Hospitality Chair. That involves food at many events, and the purchasing, carting, and presentation of appropriate treats.

Meaghan has also introduced new creative things. The coffee cart for faculty/staff seems to arrive at just the right time and the students love when the ice cream truck appears at the end of the day. Jim specializes in being a tour guide at open houses and serving as a parent ambassador.

He is very happy explaining why this is the best school for the Dowden children, Matt ’21, and Catherine ’23. His example has also prompted other dads to volunteer for similar opportunities. The “giving back” philosophy is evident with Meaghan and Jim. 

Thank you, Meaghan and Jim!


Pat and Lori McTigue - 2023 Hall of Honor

Lori McTigue (pictured at right with her husband Pat) began volunteering when Connor entered BSM in 2008. Junior high students enjoyed green bagels on St. Patrick’s Day for years, thanks to Lori and her crew. And arriving at school with treats on any and all holidays was typical for Lori. Life saver Lori assumed auction chair responsibilities when leadership was key.

Her energy, dedication, and hours of work created a wonderful and successful fund- and friend-raising event for BSM. Spirit Shop duty was also on Lori’s calendar. Somehow the mom who worked full time outside the home managed to find her way to BSM for four delightful hours on her scheduled days. Her creativity and positive attitude were perfect for that duty. Throughout the Red Knight careers of Connor ’14, Ryan ’14, and Kaitlyn ’20 Lori was a loyal volunteer – always ready for the next challenge.

Thankfully, she continues to answer calls from BSM when creativity and assistance are in demand. 

Thank you, Lori!


Nancy Torchlil - 2023 Hall of Honor

The Spirit Shop, dance team, and any fun volunteer activity kept Nancy Trochlil very busy from 2010-2022, the years Zach ’15, Kake ’17, and Kiley ’22 were at BSM. She was a Friday manager in the Spirit Shop and as such assumed a number of special duties during her tenure.

A strong leader, her very positive attitude kept things running smoothly through the challenges of COVID and the reentry into regular school days. Nancy brings light and delight wherever she goes.

She is always present to others and makes everyone feel very special when she interacts with them. Her children’s activities were always a priority for her and she was always ready to help with team activities. She truly believes that “Once a Red Knight, Always a Red Knight,” and is ready to return to help when needed – especially is there is fun involved.     

Thank you, Nancy!


Benilde-St. Margaret's is grateful to all of our volunteers, supporters, and benefactors. We are honored that you are part of our community and look forward to celebrating next year's Hall of Honor event in January 2024.

 

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About Benilde-St. Margaret's School
Benilde-St. Margaret's (BSM) is a Catholic, co-educational private prep school for grades 7–12 located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, that draws its over one thousand students from throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

The mission of BSM is to educate, empower, and inspire learners within a Catholic community to lead lives of faith, achieve academic excellence, and contribute meaningfully to a global society.

Questions?
Please contact the BSM Marketing and Communications team

BSM Office of  Communications

David Lucs, Director
(Media, News Releases)
dlucs@bsmschool.org 

Ife Adebola, Specialist
(Social Media, Knightly News, Photography/Video)
iadebola@bsmschool.org 


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