Saint John’s Prep Theatre Director and Teacher Brandon Anderson is the 2026 recipient of the Twomey Family Teaching Excellence Award. The honor, created and endowed by the family of Darla and Chris ’66 Twomey, recognizes the extraordinary commitment our faculty make to their students, to the school, to their discipline, and to their profession.

Mr. Anderson directs all Saint John’s Prep Theatre Department productions. He also teaches Fundamentals of Theatre, Acting I, Acting II, and Theatre Seminar. He sees performing as a spiritual experience where you can express yourself and connect with your community. “Those who know me well know that I consider the stage a sacred place. It is a home for anyone who wishes it to be theirs — a place where people deserve to be seen for who they truly are. This is why we start each performance with a prayer to help channel both the heavens and the earth.”

Mr. Anderson was nominated for the award by his colleagues, Prep parents, and Prep students. Below are some of the messages shared in his nomination:

“Brandon Anderson is the most passionate teacher I have ever worked alongside. He is the most innovative and creative professional I know, bringing energy and excitement to everything he does.”

“HeLIVES his discipline. He fosters community, passion, and excellence. As students, we buy into his vision – he both expects and demands excellence, and as students, we rise.”

“He creates a safe space where we can fully be ourselves. He pushes us to step outside of our comfort zone and we try, fail…and try again. He has hard conversations with us, and he does it with love and compassion. He is both a respected role model, and a friend. He puts good into the world.”

 “I watch what he does with his students, and I always walk away from their shows asking, “HOW did they do that? HOW was that possible.” I can’t emphasize enough…. I am in complete awe of the person he is. He is a true blessing to SJP.”

Mr. Anderson shares that the faculty and students at Saint John’s Prep inspire him every day. “This community grounds me. Through both hardships and triumphs, this place continually reminds me that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. You students here inspire me endlessly with your creativity, resilience, and compassion, and you challenge me every day to become a better teacher and person.”

About the Award
The Twomey Family Teaching Excellence Award values passion for student learning; inspiration, creativity, and innovation; and integrity, compassion, and excellence, each deeply rooted in our Catholic Benedictine values. Since its founding, Saint John’s Preparatory School has provided exceptional education in the Catholic Benedictine tradition. The Saint John’s Prep faculty dedicate themselves to the educational development and personal formation of our students – preparing them for meaningful lives of purpose, service, and achievement.

Saint John’s Prep will begin our 170th school year on August 19, 2026 for grades 6-12. Saint John’s Prep is ranked as the top Catholic school in Minnesota by Niche.com

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Saint John’s Preparatory School announces the successful completion of its comprehensive capital campaign, exceeding its original $10 million goal by raising more than $15.1 million.

“Prep Forward: Our Time is Now is the largest, most successful campaign in our school’s nearly 170-year history,” said Jon McGee, Head of School. “The funds raised will significantly increase the scope and impact of the campaign’s priorities, including supporting teachers and students while providing facilities upgrades and improvements.”

Launched in April 2024 to raise $10 million, the campaign quickly gained momentum, creating an opportunity to stretch the campaign goal and expand the timing. “While we anticipated widespread support from alumni, parents and grandparents, and friends, we were struck by how many people joined the campaign efforts so quickly and responded so generously,” said Ann Marie Stock ’78, a regent, alumna and leadership donor of the school. “The campaign created an energy in the school community that caused others to join in and celebrate with us. It’s been inspiring to be involved.”

The focused on investments in faculty, facilities, and financial aid, ensuring the Prep experience is available to students of all backgrounds for generations to come. “Leadership was able to identify core needs and articulate them in a compelling way, putting together a really sound campaign,” said campaign co-chair Bob Mahowald, Jr. ’95. “It was obvious that this was close to the heart for so many. The campaign sold itself.”

The final total reflects both major philanthropic investments and broad-based support from across the community, securing more than $6.8 million in cash gifts, and $8.3 million in planned giving commitments to establish or increase endowed scholarships and support teaching excellence.

Campaign highlights include:

• Total funds raised exceeding $15 million, far surpassing the initial $10 million goal
• The largest gift commitment in Prep’s 169-year history
• Expanded funding for facilities, faculty compensation, and financial aid
• More than 140 donors participated in the campaign

“The timing was right for the needs of the students and families,” said Lexy St. Hilaire, campaign co-chair. “The Prep community showed up with their support and wanted to ensure its continued success.”

With the campaign now complete, Prep will begin implementing all the initiatives made possible by this campaign. To date, the campaign has created the Br. Paul Vincent Niebauer, OSB Endowed Chair in Theatre to permanently support the school’s theatre director position, a complete renewal of our soccer field (Ford-McCormick Field), and the creation of the endowed Theo and James Baustert Teaching Excellence Fund to support faculty salaries.

“The campaign has provided us with the lessons to reshape our major giving program in support of our students and their future,” said McGee. “Looking ahead, we will build on the strong support from our community and steward these resources for long-term impact and sustainability.”

For more information on the Prep Forward – Our Time is Now campaign, visit

Saint John’s Prep is a premier arts and sciences world school where imagination, creativity and discovery are celebrated. Founded in 1857 by Saint John’s Abbey, Saint John’s Prep enrolls nearly 300 students from 15 nations, half a dozen states, and 29 different Minnesota communities.

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Theo and James Baustert Faculty Excellence Fund

Saint John’s Preparatory School is excited to announce the establishment of the Theo and James Baustert Faculty Excellence Fund, a significant milestone in its ongoing Prep Forward – Our Time is Now campaign. Made possible by a gift of nearly $1 million from the JTB Foundation, this endowed fund will directly support and sustain competitive compensation for the school’s exceptional faculty.

The JTB Foundation was founded by James and Theo Baustert, lifelong advocates for the power of education and the dedicated educators who shape future generations. James and Theo’s son, Tim Baustert, a Prep School alumnus, offered, “This fund honors our parents’ legacy and commitment to academic excellence, reflecting their belief that great teachers are the foundation of transformative learning.” The Theo and James Baustert Faculty Excellence Fund will ensure that the institution remains a beacon of academic excellence by investing in the people who make it possible—its world-class educators.

Prep Forward – Our Time is Now Campaign
The announcement comes as the school’s Prep Forward – Our Time is Now campaign has surpassed its $10 million goal, raising more than $12.5 million to date. The campaign has energized the school’s community around strategic priorities that will strengthen Saint John’s Prep for decades to come.

This gift follows the April 2025 announcement of the largest gift commitment in its 168-year history, made by alumna Ann Marie Stock ’78 and her husband David Campagna. Also in April of 2025, Saint John’s Prep announced the establishment of the Br. Paul Vincent Niebauer, OSB Endowed Chair in Theatre, a milestone in its commitment to the performing arts. Both gifts are also part of the Prep Forward- Our Time is Now campaign.

Our Faculty
Saint John’s Prep is home to a committed and caring faculty team. Our teachers are highly skilled and dedicated to maintaining our tradition of strong academics and thought provoking classes. More than 80% of our academic team members have earned a master’s degree or higher.

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Mental health and wellness are key to our students’ overall health and wellbeing. Good mental health is as important as good physical health. Diagnoses of neurodiversity, anxiety, and depression together represent the most diagnosed mental health conditions among school-age children nationally. Those diagnoses become even more prevalent during the teen years. We experience all these conditions at Saint John’s Prep. Similar to national findings, both the number and severity of mental health conditions among Prep students has risen in recent years, calling out the need for us to prioritize mental health and wellness awareness and support programs.

The Wenner family is seen above: Joe Wenner ’63, Chris Wenner ’90, Rachel Wenner Ruzanic ’95, Michelle Wenner Chestovich ’92, †Gretchen Wenner Butler ’03, and Mary Legatt Wenner.

The Gretchen Wenner Butler Student Wellness Fund, created by the Joe and Mary Wenner family (Joe ’63, Chris ’90, Michelle ’92, and Rachel ’95) and named in honor of their daughter, 2003 Prep graduate †Gretchen Wenner, will sustain and expand mental health and wellness programs at Saint John’s Prep and support mental health awareness and education. This fund will allow Prep to better support the mental health needs of Prep students and underscores our commitment to providing a holistic and supportive learning experience at Saint John’s Prep.

Student Wellness Fund Objectives

The Student Wellness Endowment Fund will:

Sustain and expand the school’s mental health programs and activities to ensure they remain accessible, comprehensive, and tailored to the diverse needs of our student body.

Support mental health awareness and education by promoting mental health literacy and fostering a culture of open dialogue around mental health.

Support wellness activities, sustaining programming that provides students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to find balance and overall wellness in their lives.

We know that mental health challenges have and continue to deeply impact many in the Prep School community. As we approach the anniversary of Gretchen’s passing (March 5, 2021), we invite you to contribute to the Gretchen Wenner Butler Student Wellness Fund in support of this important work. More than simply honoring Gretchen’s memory, your support will leave a legacy of care and support for students for years and generations to come. Together, we can make an enormous difference in the lives of current and future Prep students. 

If you would like to make a gift today or in the future, please reference the Gretchen Wenner Butler Student Wellness Fund whether you make a gift online,  with a personal check, through a donor advised fund, executing a stock transfer, or requesting a distribution from an IRA. Gifts can be mailed to Saint John’s Prep, Box 4000, 2280 Watertower Rd, Collegeville, MN 56321. 

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact a member of our Advancement Department at 320-363-3315.

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