Vincent Tegeder OSB
Professor Emeritus of History, 1946-; B.A., Saint
John's University, 1933; M.A., University of Wisconsin, 1942; Ph.D.,
1949.
While retired from teaching, Father Vincent continues his leadership in the abbey and university archives, while arranging the Civil War Roundtable meetings and delivering monthly vignettes of Saint John's history to the University Administrative Assembly members at their meetings.
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Congratulations On 75 Years Since First Monastic Vows
July 11th 2006
See You All At The Celebration
Father Vincent Awarded President's Citation
In the presence of a host of colleagues, friends and former students in Sexton Commons, Father Vincent Tegeder, professor emeritus of history, received the President's Citation from University President, Brother Dietrich Reinhart, on 17 July.
Detailing a stellar career, Brother Dietrich said what all who have known Father Vincent have rejoiced in over time: "his dedicated service as Professor of History and founder of the University Archives at Saint John's and, in particular, his exemplary stewardship of the history of Saint John's."
In those preliminary remarks before presenting the citation, Brother Dietrich recalled that 30 years ago as a first year collegian he had worked for Father Vincent. "In Father Vincent I discovered a monk, professor and supervisor who was respectful, generous, dependable, an eager student of history, a professor of wide interests ... one wholeheartedly committed to Saint John's. In short, I discovered the first in a series of mentors here....
"Legions of people have benefited from Father Vincent's capacity to care for historical records and rummage through them for the unexpected connection, the telling detail, evidences of individual achievement and, at times, the all too human folly that stretches indeed into our own time and place."
In the citation, he concluded: "For more than half a century you have brought excitement, energy, thoroughness and joy to your work as a teacher, administrator and archivist. Tapping colorful verbal images to accent your teaching, you have introduced scores of students to our nation's past and to such American legends as George Custer, James J. Hill and Lincoln's cameraman, Matthew Brady...."
After completing his doctoral study in American history at the University of Wisconsin, Father Vincent was a member of the history faculty from 1946-79, chairing the department from 1955-72. He served as university archivist (1975-94) and abbey archivist (1978-96).
Only semi-retired at 87, Father Vincent recently helped organize the archives of St. Augustine's Monastery in Nassau, Bahamas, is assistant abbey archivist and also keeps the daily monastic chronicle that is published in Confrere, the abbey in-house newsletter. Each month he presents insightful comments on Saint John's history that highlight the university's Administrative Assembly meeting luncheons. As well, this robust confrere often contributes his time and talent to the Minnesota Civil War Roundtable gatherings and helps with the abbey Quarterly.
