Rotary Club of St. Paul Meeting Summary
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Speaker: Rob Vischer, President, University of St. Thomas
Opening
President Ken Schaefer opened the meeting. Steve Young provided the inspirational moment, and Jim Hart introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.
A special guest was Kelin Fuentes and her family. Kelin is a Rotary Scholar and will be attending the University of St. Thomas this fall.
University of St. Thomas — Challenges and Opportunities
President Rob Vischer spoke about the challenges facing higher education, including increasing questions about whether a four-year college degree is worth the investment.
He highlighted several outcomes for St. Thomas graduates:
· 98% graduation rate
· 90% find full-time employment after graduation
· 89% have a job secured before graduation
· Median starting salary of approximately $70,000
For the Class of 2025, approximately half of students graduated with student loans. Average borrowing included about $20,000 in federal loans and $36,000 in private loans.
Access and Affordability
Vischer emphasized the diversity of the St. Thomas student population:
· 39% of students are first-generation college students.
· 30% qualify for a Pell Grant or state grant.
Although St. Thomas receives some public funding, Vischer noted that for every $1 of public funding, the university invests approximately $5 in private funding.
Recruiting Beyond Minnesota
St. Thomas operates in an increasingly competitive higher-education marketplace that Vischer characterized as a “winner takes most” environment.
Approximately 80% of St. Thomas students come from Minnesota. With Minnesota's youth population expected to decline over the coming decade, the university is focused on attracting more students from outside the state with a target of 30% in the next 10 years.
Division I Athletics and Entrepreneurship
Vischer discussed the significant impact of St. Thomas' move to NCAA Division I athletics. The women's volleyball team's appearance in the NCAA playoffs, for example, generated more than $3 million in media exposure for the university.
He also highlighted St. Thomas' national strength in entrepreneurship, noting its ranking among the nation's top 10 universities in the field.
Despite its growth and expanding national profile, Vischer emphasized that St. Thomas remains committed to its identity as a Catholic university.
Meaning, Purpose and Belonging
One of the more significant themes of Vischer's presentation was the challenge facing today's young people.
He described today's youth as experiencing significant loneliness and a loss of meaning, purpose and belonging. He believes universities can play an important role by giving students opportunities to develop an identity, build relationships and connect with others.
As part of that effort, all incoming St. Thomas freshmen will read The Meaning of Life by Arthur Brooks this year.
Vischer described the university's role as helping form tomorrow's leaders in the context of its Catholic mission. He expressed the hope that students will discover that they are loved, develop a sense of purpose, find meaningful work and ultimately contribute to the world.
Questions and Closing
Following his presentation, President Vischer took questions from the audience.
To close the meeting, Jim Hart opened the floor for Happy Dollars. Matt Majors announced that the club is looking for a volunteer to help reset its Microsoft 365/Microsoft suite.
President Ken closed by reminding members of Rotary’s 2026-27 theme, to Create a Lasting Impact.