Friends on the Lawn 2026 brought together faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members for an evening focused on connection, student success, and support for Saint Paul College’s mission. The event illustrated the impact of SPC through stories and conversations, with proceeds helping expand opportunities for students. A highlight of the evening was the student panel, skillfully moderated by SPC alum Sol Carillo, featuring current students Naw Mary Lynn, Blessing Norvell, Mai Moua, Thor, and Keziah Vulu.

Events like Friends on the Lawn help ensure more students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed at Saint Paul College.

Beyond the money raised and support given, the evening was filled with something for everyone to enjoy. Throughout Friends on the Lawn, people could bid on handcrafted student pieces, like bookcases, Adirondack chairs, and birdhouses, at the silent auction or pull from an incredible selection of wine donated by Friends of the SPC Foundation board members and Morrissey Hospitality. For guests who could use some relaxation, students in the Massage Therapy and Esthetics programs offered complimentary massages and skin analyses. We also took advantage of the beautiful Spring day with lawn games, including cornhole and giant Connect Four.

Guests Enjoyed Delicious Food From Featured Saint Paul College Alumni & Local Favorites

Local Food Trucks:

• El Burrito Mercado Food Truck
• Smokin’ J’s BBQ Food Truck
• Minnesota Dairy Lab

SPC Alumni Chefs

• Angie Larson, Mindful Fork Catering
• Blong Vang, Paj Ntaub Cuisine
• Vernetta Owusu, Twin Cities Finest Cuisine

Summit Brewing Company generously donated beer for Friends on the Lawn

Finally, we were thrilled to recognize two outstanding honorees: Alumni of the Year Tameka Jones and Community Partner of the Year United Hospital and Daniel Klescewski, whose contributions continue to make a meaningful difference for SPC students.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Friends on the Lawn! And a special appreciation to the faculty, staff, and students who brought this event together.