Favorite saint?
Technically a servant of God and she’s a baller: Bl. Chiara Corbella Petrillo
My Name is Gabby McCracken
What college did you go to? What was your degree, and graduation year?
I graduated from Western Washington University (SKO VIKS) in December of 2022 with a BS in Kinesiology: Exercise science specialization and a minor in Spanish.
Hometown?
Poulsbo, Washington
What will you be doing on campus this year?
I will be working to lead students to a deeper relationship with Christ, to encounter His love and experience the fullness of joy they were created for. I also hope to show them what it means to walk with one another in the faith, as we weren’t created to walk this road alone!
How did you become Catholic?
I was raised Catholic, but experienced a deeper love for Christ and His church in college!
Let’s say you become a saint. What would you want to be the patron of?
Coffee or dad jokes😊
Someday when you get time for hobbies, what will they be?
Actually, learning the guitar and/or beach volleyball.
Favorite song to jam out to in the car?
Light My Love by Great Van Fleet
What is something popular now that you wish wasn’t?
Artificial sweeteners. Real sugar is irreplaceable and deserves more respect!
My Name is Jack Perala
What college did you go to? What was your degree, and graduation year?
I graduated from The College of Saint Scholastica with a major in biochemistry and minor in music. I was also on the varsity baseball team!
Hometown?
Virginia, MN
What will you be doing on campus this year?
I am a FOCUS Missionary that spends most of my time with student athletes. I have had the tremendous privilege of being an athlete my entire life. As I enter athletic retirement, I am excited to share life with current athletes! I want to develop authentic friendships with students and lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
How did you become Catholic?
I was born and raised Catholic. I owe a lot to my parents because they showed me the importance of Sunday Mass and living in community at our parish.
Favorite saint?
Oh boy, I have too many. To name a few: St. John Paul the Great, St. Moses the Black, St. John of the Cross, Sts. Zelie and Louis Martin, and St. Maria Goretti. Sts. Zelie and Louis Martin are the patrons of my marriage with my beautiful bride, Emily! A quote I love from St. Zelie is, “The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us then carry on bravely.”
Let’s say you become a saint. What would you want to be the patron of?
I would be the patron saint of those who are consistent. Through undergrad I ate the same exact lunch every day. I am a man of routine.
Your favorite part about being Catholic?
Nothing beats the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The ability to praise God in this most holy event daily is one of the greatest joys I have as a Catholic. The beauty, peace, and assurance of this great sacrifice is not comparable to anything outside of Heaven.
Someday when you get time for hobbies, what will they be?
Gardening, playing guitar and piano, hiking, and hacky sack.
Do you listen to podcasts, music, or nothing?
Yes! I love most types of music, but I’m especially drawn to my two favorite artists. The first is the Wood Brothers, they are a lesser-known Americana band from Nashville who know how to perform together very well. The second is a little nerdy from my background in music, but Sergei Rachmaninoff is the greatest classical composer of the past centuries. Listen to his All Night Vigil if you get the chance! I also listen to a Catholic comedy called The Crunch. It is a great break from the serious world and is certainly worth a listen!
Why are you excited about this school year in Duluth?
I am excited for our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will be so sanctifying. I am also excited to meet new students and do fun stuff together like playing hacky sack, praying together, or going hiking.
What is something popular now that you wish wasn’t?
Artificial sweeteners. Real sugar is irreplaceable and deserves more respect!
What’s your favorite season? Why?
Winter because I don’t sweat as much. Also since driving is challenging it’s more like a sport than a necessity so its more fun to do it.
If you were forced to binge-watch any show, what would it be?
The Office.
Favorite song to jam out to in the car?
Ballroom Blitz
Furthest you’ve ever traveled from home?
I had the opportunity to go to Italy and Greece with a group in high school. It was great!
What are you famous for? (Grilled cheese skills? Identifying cloud formations? Remembering the periodic
table? Carpet cleaning?)
I am famous for the sunglasses I wear around my neck, my Snoopy lunch box, and my skills on the tuba.
What’s your favorite season? Why?
SUMMER! I love traveling in the summer & the early morning sunshine & late night glow.
My Name is Abby Lanwehr
What college did you go to? What was your degree, and graduation year?
I attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA, where I double majored in biochemistry and Spanish and minored in Catholic studies.
How did you become Catholic?
I was born cradle Catholic, attending mass every Sunday. I have been in the Catholic school system my entire life K-12 & college. However, I began truly praying & developing a personal relationship with the Lord my freshman year in college after getting injured in cross country & having to redshirt my first season.
Favorite saint? Saint quote?
“It was now a joy to put away what I had formerly feared to lose,” – St. Augustine
Let’s say you become a saint. What would you want to be the patron of?
Skim milk, the color white, and efficiency.
Your favorite part about being Catholic?
The fullness of the truth.
Someday when you get time for hobbies, what will they be?
Traveling, hiking, visiting all 63 national parks, reading in my hammock, cross country skiing, rollerblading, watching sunsets.
Do you listen to podcasts, music, or nothing?
Podcasts of choice: What in the Dang Heck, The Daily Nothings, Bible/Catechism in a Year.
Why are you excited about this school year in Duluth?
Having a THRIVING campus to be a part of & running with the XC/TF girls : )
What is something popular now that you wish wasn’t?
Low rise jeans – they should be banned from the planet
What’s your favorite season? Why?
SUMMER! I love traveling in the summer & the early morning sunshine & late night glow.
Let’s say you become a saint. What would you want to be the patron of?
I would like to be the patron of maps. Biiiiig geography girl over here.
My Name is Katie Furrer
I graduated this May with a BA in Geography from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (GBR!), but I was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. I am SUPER excited to be meeting a lot of new people all around campus, both at the Newman Center and around UMD. I’ll also be leading Bible studies, discipleship groups, and having tons of movie nights, so please say hi if you see me around!
Favorite Saint/Quote?
My favorite saint is St. Andrew, because he introduced his brother, Peter, to Jesus, so his whole life was centered around helping others become holier than he ever would be! So cool. My favorite quote, though, is from St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. “Whatever did not fit in with my plan did lie within the plan of God. I have an ever deeper and firmer belief that nothing is merely an accident when seen in the light of God, that my whole life down to the smallest details has been marked out for me in the plan of Divine Providence and has a completely coherent meaning in God’s all-seeing eyes. And so I am beginning to rejoice in the light of glory wherein this meaning will be unveiled to me.” Sheesh.
Why are you excited about this school year in Duluth?
I have never been to Minnesota before, so my time has already consisted of a ton of exploring the town and finding adventures, so I am excited to see more hidden gems that Duluth has to offer!
If you were forced to binge-watch any show, what would it be?
Gilmore Girls. No doubt about it. Team Jess all the way.
Hidden Talent?
I used to be able to label every country on a map. Not sure if I still would get a 100% on it but I think I could probably get close.
Someday when you get time for hobbies, what will they be?
Carpentry/Building my own house
My Name is Noah Huber
What college did you go to? What was your degree, and graduation year?
The University of Northern Iowa, Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management 2020 Graduation
Hometown?
Hudson, IA
What will you be doing on campus this year?
I will be inviting students into relationship with Jesus and His Church, hoping to show
that a life with Jesus is full of abundance, joy, and mercy that can only be fully realized
through Him.
Favorite saint? Saint quote?
Right now, Blessed Carlo Acutis
“Our aim has to be the infinite and not the finite. The infinite is our homeland. We have always been expected in Heaven.” Bl. Carlo Acutis
Your favorite part about being Catholic?
The Universality of Church, Moral Teachings, and the mercy of God
Someday when you get time for hobbies, what will they be?
Carpentry/Building my own house
What is your favorite podcast to listen to?
The Golden Hour – by Optimal Work
Why are you excited about this school year in Duluth?
For Duluth to make a run to the Frozen Four in Men’s Hockey
If you were forced to binge-watch any show, what would it be?
Naruto
Favorite song to jam out to in the car?
Recess by Skrillex
What are you famous for?
My bobblehead collection
If you could be the lead in any movie what movie would it be?
Catch Me if You Can, Leonardo Dicaprio
What is something that’s really popular right now that will be ridiculous in five years?
Relativism