Thursday, December 13, 2007

Brother William Mann named 13th president of Saint Mary's University

Brother William Mann, FSC, D.Min.

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Board of Trustees announced Thursday, Dec. 13, that Brother William Mann, FSC, D.Min., has been named the 13th president of the university. Mann will begin his term of office on June 1, 2008.

Mann, 60, is the former Vicar General of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. As Vicar General, he was the second-highest officer of the international Catholic teaching order that comprises 5,300 Christian Brothers, working in association with 73,000 lay educators to operate 930 schools and universities serving 900,000 students in 82 countries.
Read more...


Chancellor Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC, Ph.D., has led Saint Mary’s University this past year during the national search for a new president. DeThomasis reassumed the duties of president in February, 2007, after previously serving Saint Mary’s for 21 years in that capacity.

DeThomasis said “Saint Mary’s is so fortunate to have as its new president an internationally recognized educational leader. Brother William Mann is also a renowned Lasallian scholar, who will enhance our vision and mission as a Lasallian institution of higher education.”

DeThomasis added that Mann’s “vast international experience will advance our efforts to bring global education to our students. His experience with multicultural, diverse populations allows him to offer a unique gift to our university setting, and brings a new dimension to the intellectual and spiritual life of students and faculty.”

“We are delighted with the international reputation and stature of our new president,” said Michael Meagher, chairman of the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees. “The board was impressed with his wisdom, sensitivity, and obvious commitment and dedication to education.”

Mann has spent almost 30 years traveling around the country and the world as a leader in the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and as a guiding force in the evolution of the Lasallian educational global network.

“I am excited at the opportunity to focus my experience and passion for the Lasallian educational mission at Saint Mary’s University,” Mann said. He noted that “the many facets of Saint Mary’s are interesting and inspiring, and I believe the university is well-positioned to continue doing great good” within the society of the 21st century.

Mann served in Rome from 2000-07 as Vicar General, a leader with far-ranging responsibilities within the international governance structure of the De La Salle Christian Brothers.

A native of New York City, Mann joined the Christian Brothers in 1965. He began his career as an English and religion teacher, working from 1970-79 at two Christian Brother high schools in New York and Rhode Island. He then held positions directing Christian Brother formation for the Long Island-New England Province and USA/Toronto Region, and from 1990-96 he was International Secretary of Formation in Rome. He later served as Delegate Superior for India, and as Provincial for the LI-NE Province, which operates 10 educational institutions in New York City and Rhode Island.

Mann has also been an organizer, member, delegate and presenter for numerous Lasallian commissions and symposiums. He was a member of the boards of several Christian Brother schools in New York and Rhode Island, and he served on the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees from 1996-2001.

Mann is a noted scholar and writer on the life and teachings of John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the patron saint of educators. He has authored and edited numerous publications examining De La Salle’s writings and spirituality, putting them into context for Lasallian educators in today’s world.

Mann’s educational background includes a B.A. in English Literature from The Catholic University of America, an M.A. in Liberal Studies - Literature from State University of New York at Stony Brook, an M.A. in Spirituality from Salve Regina University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Family Ministry from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

The Kabara Institute to host student competition

All SMU Winona campus full-time undergraduates are encouraged to submit business plans for a student-run, on-campus business, hosted by the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Proposals may be submitted by individuals or by groups of no more than three students. There is a limit of two proposals per student.

Each proposal should include:
• a concept statement
• anticipated startup costs
• a preliminary marketing plan
• potential suppliers and/or manufacturing processes (as applicable)
• a discussion of operating considerations (staffing, operating hours, etc.)
• pro-forma financial statements for the first year of operation
• contact information for the individuals submitting the proposal

Read more...

Entries will be evaluated based on the quality of the proposal and its feasibility, ability to involve students in the operation of the business, and creativity.

The business may not directly compete with services or products offered by the campus Barnes and Noble Bookstore or Chartwells. Plans which call for implementation of illegal or unethical practices will not be considered. Winning proposals become property of SMU and may be implemented at the university’s discretion.

Deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2008. Prizes totaling $1,500 will be awarded for meritorious qualifying projects: $900 for first place; $400 for second place; and $200 for third place. Winners will be honored and will make a presentation at the SMU Chicago Convention at the end of February.

Questions and proposals should be directed to
Teresa Speck, Campus Box 56, Ext. 1449 or tspeck@smumn.edu.

Bible Art Exhibit on display at Cathedral in Winona

Rob McColl of the Department of Art & Design and a member of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), was instrumental in bringing a CIVA exhibit of Bible images to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. The exhibit is a collection of about 40 molas depicting Bible scenes. Molas are the native art form of the woman of the San Blas Island off of Panama. They are textile panels that traditionally serve as the main part of the blouses that the women wear.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart has recently undergone a dramatic renovation to bring it more in line with the Catholic Church’s guidelines on liturgical spaces. Among the changes is a new gathering space. The Rector of the Cathedral approached Dr. Eileen Daily, Theology Department, during the summer about collaborating on a way to make visual art a regular part of the space. Look for news about future exhibitions of religious art at the Cathedral in this space.
Read more...


The Cathedral is open most days from about 9 until 3. People are welcome to enter the gathering space from the Central Street entrance and view the exhibit and read more about the Kuna Indian women. The works are accompanied by reflection questions that make this a lovely advent or Christmas reflection for the whole family. The descriptions are printed in English and Spanish. The Cathedral wants the town to know that the molas are there for everyone to enjoy, not just Catholics. If you want to bring a group from your church, please call the Cathedral rectory to arrange a time. Or for more information contact Daily at Ext. 1743.

Free massages available at Wellness Center

Student Health Services in the Jay Johnson Wellness Center, with financial support from SAC, will be offering free head and neck massages today for students studying for finals.

Call Ext. 1492 for an appointment. Appointments are limited.

Jazz events

Swing Inc. with Eric Heukeshoven performs Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Waterfront in La Crosse and 6:30 to 10:3 p.m. Dec. 31 at Signatures in Winona.

The John Paulson Jazz Quartet performs 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Canadian Honker in Rochester.

Christmas dinner is Dec. 18

The annual faculty and staff Christmas dinner will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The event begins at 6 p.m. in the dining room of the Toner Student Center. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Maloney named first provost at Marian College

Dr. Daniel Maloney, former Saint Mary’s University administrator, has been named the first provost of Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wis., effective Jan. 1. Dr. Maloney has served at Marian since 2001; he is currently a tenured faculty member in the School of Education’s graduate program in Leadership Studies. He is also president of the Faculty Senate.

Dr. Maloney previously served at Saint Mary’s University in many high-level administrative capacities, including executive vice president, vice president at the Twin Cities campus, vice president for student development, and vice president for finance and administration.

Reminder: last ‘Campus Notes’ until next year

Look ahead on your calendars. The next issue of “Campus Notes” will be Jan. 11. The deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Sympathy to Connor family

Bill Connor, brother of Robert Connor, associate dean for London and Florence Programs and associate professor of theology, died Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Funeral services were held in Peterborough, N.H. Notes of sympathy can be sent to Bob at campus box 55.

Sympathy to McClean family

Philip McClean, a Saint Mary’s physics teacher and graduate office administrator in the late ’60s and early ’70s, died Oct. 11 in Bethesda, Md.