Real estate research, education, and outreach
Shenehon Center for Real Estate
About the Shenehon Center for Real Estate
The Shenehon Center for Real Estate at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business serves as a resource to the real estate community. For more than 15 years, the center has been advancing interest in real estate issues, supporting the growth and development of real estate professionals, and fostering innovation and collaboration. We do this by:
- Creating and developing real estate leadership and management programs for undergraduate and graduate degree programs
- Providing a neutral forum to convene real estate professionals to share best practices
- Supporting and working with local real estate industry organizations
- Conducting real estate research
- Developing mechanisms to transfer leading edge business practices to the real estate industry
Shenehon Center Programming
Major in Real Estate Studies
If working in this exciting field is your goal, consider a St. Thomas BS in Real Estate Studies from the Opus College of Business.
In addition to core business courses, you'll take concentration courses that cover market analysis, real estate law, finance and investments, property management, appraisal, and development. Our program gives you a solid background in general business practices, as well as real estate theory and application.
Real Estate Events
NAIOP University Challenge
This is an annual competition between undergraduate real estate departments and clubs from the University of St. Thomas and several other Universities from the Midwest. This year we're proud to congratulation our real estate students on earning 2nd place. Way to go, Tommies.
Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame
Nominations are accepted May 1st through July 15th of each year. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the real estate industry in Minnesota through innovation, leadership, and service to the community.The 2026 awards ceremony will be taking place on Wednesday, November 18th.
To learn more about the Shenehon Center for Real Estate, explore past Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame inductees, and your nomination for this year’s class, visit our website here.
Real Estate Industry Update Breakfast
In partnership with Finance & Commerce, the Shenehon Center hosts an annual Real Estate Industry Update Breakfast. More information to come!
Real Estate Alumni
The Real Estate Alumni Council is an organization of alumni and friends of the University of St. Thomas who are involved in the real estate industry. Members include those with an undergraduate degree, graduate degree, or certificate in Real Estate as well as other University of St. Thomas alumni who work in the real estate industry. The Real Estate Alumni Council provides a critical role as a networking forum for alumni and connects the efforts of the Opus College of Business Real Estate Program and current students with alumni and the overall real estate industry.
For more information about the Real Estate Alumni Council, including upcoming events and how you can get involved, please email realestate@stthomas.edu or join our LinkedIn group.
Major in Real Estate Studies
If working in this exciting field is your goal, consider a St. Thomas BS in Real Estate Studies from the Opus College of Business.
In addition to core business courses, you'll take concentration courses that cover market analysis, real estate law, finance and investments, property management, appraisal, and development. Our program gives you a solid background in general business practices, as well as real estate theory and application.
Real Estate Events
NAIOP University Challenge
This is an annual competition between undergraduate real estate departments and clubs from the University of St. Thomas and several other Universities from the Midwest. This year we're proud to congratulation our real estate students on earning 2nd place. Way to go, Tommies.
Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame
Nominations are accepted May 1st through July 15th of each year. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the real estate industry in Minnesota through innovation, leadership, and service to the community.The 2026 awards ceremony will be taking place on Wednesday, November 18th.
To learn more about the Shenehon Center for Real Estate, explore past Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame inductees, and your nomination for this year’s class, visit our website here.
Real Estate Industry Update Breakfast
In partnership with Finance & Commerce, the Shenehon Center hosts an annual Real Estate Industry Update Breakfast. More information to come!
Real Estate Alumni
The Real Estate Alumni Council is an organization of alumni and friends of the University of St. Thomas who are involved in the real estate industry. Members include those with an undergraduate degree, graduate degree, or certificate in Real Estate as well as other University of St. Thomas alumni who work in the real estate industry. The Real Estate Alumni Council provides a critical role as a networking forum for alumni and connects the efforts of the Opus College of Business Real Estate Program and current students with alumni and the overall real estate industry.
For more information about the Real Estate Alumni Council, including upcoming events and how you can get involved, please email realestate@stthomas.edu or join our LinkedIn group.
Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame
The Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame was established to honor real estate leaders who have made significant contributions in real estate and demonstrated a passion for improving their community as a business leader.
The Shenehon Center for Real Estate honors members of the Minnesota real estate community with an induction into the Minnesota Real Estate Hall of Fame annually.
Click the button below to learn more and nominate a leader by June 15 for consideration for the next class of inductees.
Leaders in the field
Real Estate Advisory Board
Current Members
Stu Ackerberg, CEO, The Ackerberg Group
Aaron Barnard, Senior Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Ben Bastian, First Vice President, CBRE Capital Markets
Bill Beard, Founder/CEO, The Beard Group
Charles Caturia, Retired, CBRE
Wendy Ethen, President, Guaranty Commercial Title
Susan Farr, Director of Business Development, Presbyterian Homes
Brenda Hyambsal, Chief Revenue Officer, Bader
Kelly Jameseson, Senior Director Asset Management, UnitedHealth Group
Victor Jones, President and Founder, Victor Jones Consulting
Steve Katkov, Real Estate and Finance Attorney, Husch Blackwell
Megan Lively, Senior Real Estate Investment Analyst, The Meritex Company
Dan Mueller, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Development, Ryan Companies
Marc Nanne, Managing Director, JLL
Nawal Noor, Founder and CEO, Noor Companies
Mike Ohmes, President, Frauenshuh
Nate Podratz, Vice President, Mortenson
Matt Rauenhorst, President, Opus Group
Mike Salmen, Managing Principal, Transwestern
Luke Sturm, Senior Development Associate, Enclave Development
Tim Vergin, Partner, Diversified
Lifetime Members
Ron Peltier, Founder & Chairman Emeritus of HomeServices of America
Jack Rice, Retired
George Karvel, Retired Professor Emeritus
Bob Strachota, President of the Shenehon Company
Russ Nelson, Retired President/Principal NTH
Tim Murnane, CEO, Opus Group
Contact Info
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