Thursday, January 31, 2008

Outstanding senior nominees are announced

The following students were named as finalists for the 2008 Outstanding Senior Awards:

Female: Lindsay Dickson, Laura Holupchinski, Amy Kalina, Kasey Schultz and Ana Sontag.

Male: Kevin Black, Jeff David, Alex Downes-Borowski, John Freeman and Rick McCoy.

Congratulations to these outstanding students. Final ballots will be sent to faculty and staff the first week of February. Seniors will have an opportunity to vote at Senior Salute on Feb. 21. The award for outstanding female and male senior will be presented at Founder'’ Day on Feb. 26.

Students are groovin’ during rehearsals for Candlelight


Saint Mary’s University Student’s, Alex Gorgone, left, and Moreen Bosch, right, rehearse for the “Candlelight Outta Sight!” performance Feb. 9. SMU students will perform a variety of ’60s and ’70s favorites during the formal dinner.
Students have been getting back into the groove while rehearsing for “Candlelight, Outta Sight!” at Saint Mary’s University, which will provide a flashback to the era of peace and love on Feb. 9.

A select group SMU theatre and music students will perform a variety of well-known favorites from the ’60s and early ’70s including “Build me up Buttercup,” “All You Need is Love,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” as well as many, many more throughout the evening. After a five-course dinner, the seven-piece Diane Martinson Band will entice those in attendance to hit the dance floor.
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Candlelight is a communitywide event, hosted biennially by the university. Formerly a fund-raiser, the event is now simply a fun evening, a formal celebration of the university and a thank you to the community for its support.
The evening will begin with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at 6 p.m. in the lounge, followed by dinner in the dining hall, both in the Toner Student Center. The cost is $75 per person or $140 per couple. Dress is formal attire, and valet parking and coat check services will be available.

Invitations have been mailed, but everyone is invited! If you would like to attend or have questions about Candlelight, call Jo Nesler, Ext. 1664.

Opera singer to perform Feb. 6 at SMU


Earl Mentor Phillip, an opera singer with an extensive repertoire, will perform 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in Figliulo Recital Hall. The performance is free.

Born in Belmont, Port of Spain in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Phillip has performed in musical plays and theaters and with symphony orchestras.
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His classical voice training includes an extensive repertoire of German, French, Italian and English material, including Gospel and Negro spirituals. As a concert vocalist and baritone, Phillip has performed throughout the United States and Caribbean.

He has performed in “The Marriage of Figaro,” “The Barber of Seville,” “Porgy and Bess” and “the Magic Flute.”

He has performed with the New Philharmonic of New Jersey, Montclair Chamber Orchestra and Morristown Chamber Players.

He has conducted several master classes and workshops at universities across the U.S. and for children as well. He is known as a lively clinician with a quick sense of humor and self-deprecating manner with vivid insight. He will perform at Cotter and Winona Senior High School as well during his visit to Winona Wednesday and Thursday.

Substance-free support group to begin in February

A number of alcohol-related incidents have occurred among the college student population in our region over the course of this academic year. Unfortunately, alcohol and drug abuse continue to impact our students’ lives despite continued efforts to reduce the harm that accompanies such abuse. Saint Mary’s has a new alcohol, drug, and tobacco policy that was introduced in August, 2007. This has helped to clarify the institution’s position on these issues and made enforcement of policies more effective. Training of university staff has helped increase levels of consistency regarding policy implementation and students have begun to realize that we are taking dangerous and belligerent abuse of substances more seriously.
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Initiatives started this year include the use of a BreathScan. This can be used by underage students who have been documented in the presence of alcohol to prove that they did not drink, thereby avoiding any judicial consequences.

Our continued focus at Saint Mary’s is to reduce risks associated with alcohol and drug consumption primarily through education and support for students struggling with these issues. With this goal in mind, a new partnership has formed between Winona State University and Saint Mary’s counseling services to offer a supportive peer group aimed at students who want to stop using alcohol and drugs.

Please refer students interested in getting support for these issues to Dr. Michael O’Friel, AOD education coordinator and Counselor at Ext. 1773 (office), Ext. 6692 (direct), or e-mail: mofriel@smumn.edu

‘SMU 10K’ citizens classic ski draws 60 participants

Saint Mary’s University senior Jon Pace held off Christopher Sasse at the finish line to win the third annual SMU 10K classic ski event, held Sunday on the SMU campus. Pace, who clocked a winning time of 31:59, and Sasse, who finished one second behind Pace, were two of nearly 60 competitors taking part in the event.

Joanna Pace, Jon’s sister and a freshman at Saint Mary’s, won the women’s open division with a time of 41:18, while Brother Jon Grover (54:21) and senior Lindsay Dickson (79:45) captured the men’s and women’s recreational division titles. To view pictures, go to www.saintmaryssports.com/sports/gallery/smu10k12708.

Chicago Convention planned for Feb. 29-March 1

Mark your calendars for Feb. 29 and March 1, as Saint Mary’s faculty, staff, students and Christian Brothers will once again hit the road to reconnect with alumni and friends, meet prospective students and share our SMU with Chicago. Information packets have been sent; if you plan to attend, please think about your material needs and make your reservations.

The Chicago Convention will be held at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca, Ill. For more details, go to www.smumn.edu/convention.

Page Series presents ‘Hansel and Gretel’ Feb. 7


A musical performance of “Hansel and Gretel” will come to life through giant puppets, special effects, and beautiful costumes, Thursday, Feb. 7, at Saint Mary’s. The Page Series will host the performance, produced by Theatre Sans Fil, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

The familiar children’s tale will be accompanied by an orchestral soundtrack, created by Engelbert Humperdinck, that is based on the Grimms’ fairly tale.
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In “Hansel and Gretel,” the brother and sister are sent into the woods in search of strawberries, but are abandoned by their evil stepmother. Lost in the woods, they find a house made of candies and – unable to resist – they begin to eat it. The inhabitant of the house, an old woman, is actually a witch who has built the house to capture children, so that she may fatten and eat them. The children must rely on the only thing they have to save their lives – their wit.

Theatre Sans Fil, founded in Quebec in 1971, has performed across four continents in more than 25 countries, and has earned international recognition for its works with adults and children.

All tickets are $6, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Make it dinner and a show. Pre-show dinners are provided by Chartwells Catering. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center, located next to the Performance Center. Adult dinners cost $20 and include chicken, beef, and vegetarian options, along with beverages and dessert. Bottles of wine may be purchased for an extra fee. Children’s dinners cost $12 and include mac-n-cheese or chicken fingers with sides, beverages, and dessert. Orders will be accepted up to three days prior to the event; order online or by phone.

Dance Repertory Company auditions are Feb. 2

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct auditions, Saturday, Feb. 2, for the Dance Repertory Company’s annual spring concert. Auditions will begin at noon at the Valéncia Arts Center.

Dancers with a variety of training are needed. Roles are available for male and female dancers, ages 12 – 25. The company is seeking intermediate and advanced dancers with contemporary ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop experience as well as musicians, ages 12 and older, who are proficient in percussion.
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Percussionists should be prepared to show 16 – 32 measures of improvisational rhythms or sheet music and must bring their own hand drum, drumsticks and drum pad or other playable surface, and/or other auxiliary equipment.

Interested candidates are asked to bring a photo of themselves. Dancers should also bring proper shoes and attire.

The DRC will be presenting their annual spring concert, May 15 – 17 at Page Theatre.

The Dance Repertory Company is the performing troupe of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts of Saint Mary’s. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances. Past productions of the company include: “The Firebird,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Nutcracker,” “Paquita,” “Excerpts from Swan Lake,” “Cinderella,” “The Goodman Suite,” “Youth In Motion,” “Tappin’ to Connick,” and “Pure Entertainment.”

For more information about the Dance Repertory Company or the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, visit www.smumn.edu/mca or call Ext. 5501.

Saint Mary’s announces baseball/softball skills camps Feb. 3-March 2

Saint Mary’s will host 2008 baseball/softball pre-season skills camps for boys and girls in grades seven through 12 on Sundays between Feb. 3 and March 2.

Boys baseball players meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; boys baseball and girls fastpitch softball pitchers and catchers meet from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; and girls fastpitch softball participants meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. – all in SMU’s Gostomski Fieldhouse.
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Participants will practice pitching, hitting, catching, throwing and fielding, depending on which clinic you sign up for. Catchers will need to bring equipment; all others are asked to bring a glove, and no cleats are allowed.

The hitting, throwing, and fielding camp costs $60 per person; the pitching and catching clinic costs $40; and the cost for both clinics combined is $90. The registration fee includes a T-shirt and individual instruction by SMU staff and players including Nick Whaley, head men’s baseball coach, and Jennifer Miller, head women’s fastball coach.

Though the registration deadline has passed, faculty and staff can still register their families. Register online at www.smumn.edu/sportscamps. For more information, call Ext. 6973.

Plans for summer camps are now under way. Check the website for updated information on hockey, volleyball and basketball summer camps. Additionally, SwimAmerica swimming lessons are going to be scheduled for spring.

SMU Chamber Singers to perform in Madison, Victoria


The Saint Mary’s Chamber Singers will perform a series of concerts in Madison, Wis., and Victoria, Minn., as part of their 2008 Concert Tour. The 22-voice select ensemble is directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea, associate professor of music and Music Department chairman.
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Tour performances will include concerts at:

• St. James Catholic Church (Madison, Wis.) – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13
• St. Victoria Catholic Church (Victoria, Minn.) – 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15.

The Chamber Singers will also serve as the guest choir for Masses at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, and at the Cathedral of St. Paul at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17.

All performances are free and open to the public. Repertoire will include a cappella works by Palestrina, Lauridsen, Stenhammar, and Ginastera, as well as English madrigals and spirituals.

For more information, call O’Shea at Ext. 1598.

Annual Twin Cities admission reception a success

On Sunday, Jan. 27, the Admission Office hosted a reception at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Bloomington. The event drew almost 90 students and their parents. This successful event could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, current students and alumni who shared their Sunday to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to prospective students.
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Thanks go to following individuals for their efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches: Carolyn Ayers, Dan Bucknam, Jim Callinan, Gary Diomandes, Lupita Garza-Cienfuegos, Karen Hemker, Nigel Jenkins, Sarah Kay, Chad Kjorlien, Katie LaPlant, Preston Lawing, Melissa Luedtke, Tom Marpe, Shawn McMahon, Jeanne Minnerath, John Paulson, Ken Pellegrini, Tony Piscitiello, Megan Radke, Joy Rockwell, Jenny Shanahan, Kenneth Stenstrup, Karen Sullivan, Jen Trewick, Mike Trewick, Chandu Valluri, Tammy VonDrasek, Ron Weimer, Nick Winecke and Jayne Wobig.

Twin Cities campus staff: Becky Copper and Faith Seim.

Current undergraduate students: Kevin Black, Jillian Connolly, Olga Diaz-Lopez, Grecia Garcia, Ashley Kleist, Megan Mollison, Kim Riley, Andy Weigman and Andrew Winecke.

Undergraduate alumni: Amy Blaz ‘03, Libby Pegg ‘05, Matt Rink ‘05, Matt Smith ‘01, Dave Weigman ‘83 and Amanda Weinmann ‘07.

Parents of current SMU students: Lisa and Dave Weigman.

The positive comments heard from students and their parents after these events remind us that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

Kabara business competition deadline is today

All SMU Winona campus fulltime 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.
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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

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.

Deadline for submissions is today, Feb. 1. 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.

‘Crossroads’ conference planned for Feb. 5

The “Crossroads” Sophomore Experience Conference, sponsored by Student Development, Career Services, Internships, and Study Abroad, will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Hillside Hall. The conference will inform students about résumé writing, internships, portfolios and more.

SMU Oldie Moldies to perform at Visions Feb. 1

The Oldie Moldie All-Stars from Saint Mary’s will perform a live and lively dinner show today, Friday, Feb. 1, at Visions Event Center. Reservations were due Wednesday.

SMU faculty join forces for ‘Ignes Fatui’ art show

Eight Saint Mary’s University art faculty members have joined forces for the next exhibit, “Ignes Fatui,” in SMU’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Displaying works are Preston Lawing, Robert McColl, Charles Campbell, Randi Campbell, Sister Margaret Mear, Brother Roderick Robertson, Michelle Cochran and Dr. John Whelan.

The exhibit will run through Feb. 17. Admission is free and open to the public, and gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Next ‘Let’s Do Lunch’ is chili cookoff

Mark your calendars for the next Let’s Do Lunch. Proceeds continue to benefit SMU faculty and staff who were affected by the August flood.

Thursday’s Super Bowl theme — hosted by academic advising — raised $335.75.

Feb. 21 is the chili cookoff; all faculty and staff are invited to compete for prizes.

Jazz events

John Paulson and Mike James perform 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Central Lutheran Church Couples’ Dinner in Winona.

The John Paulson Quartet performs 8 p.m. to midnight Feb. 1 at the Starlite Lounge in La Crosse, Wis.

‘Fireside’ will be Feb. 22-23

‘Fireside,’ a coffee-house style talent show sponsored by the Sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, will be held Feb. 22-23. Students are invited to audition Feb. 1-3. For more information, contact: Nicole at nlschr04@smumn.edu or Brookly at baheff04 @smumn.edu. Tickets will be available the week of Feb. 18-22 at lunch and dinner

Today is First Friday

Today’s First Friday, hosted by Campus Ministry, will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the faculty and staff lounge of Saint Mary’s Hall. Take a break from the office and join us for a continental breakfast and a chance to catch up with co-workers.

February is Campus Energy Challenge Month

February is Saint Mary’s Campus Energy Challenge Month. This is a month-long energy conservation competition organized by students around the country. Our Energy Challenge is modeled after Campus Energy Wars, a statewide competition in February among 16 Minnesota colleges and universities. 2007 was Saint Mary’s first year participating in this process. Through our partnership in Sustain Winona as well as our Student Senate’s commitment that our university should be, “an ethical leader in the movement for environmental sustainability” we are joining a national trend to make energy efficiency a part of our daily lives. By mobilizing students, faculty, staff and community members we can realize the full potential of this climate movement.
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For the challenge, instead of comparing different schools to each other, each school is compared to its own past. This will give us a measure of the achieved climate awareness and energy action our own campus. Last year here at Saint Mary’s we reduced our electrical consumption by 7 percent in just one month. Last year we focused mainly on the impact that daily student life had on our energy consumption but this year Saint Mary’s faculty and staff are invited to join the competition.

Kelsey named director for M.A. in Philanthropy and Development

Effective March 1, Gary Kelsey, Ed.D., will take over as director for the Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development program.

Dr. Kelsey is a current faculty member and former program director for the Philanthropy and Development program, as well as the former program director for the M.A. in Health and Human Services Administration at Saint Mary’s.
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Dr. Kelsey holds a B.A. in Social Work from St. Cloud State University and an M.A. in Human and Health Service Administration from Saint Mary’s. In 2001, he completed a Doctorate of Education in Leadership degree from Saint Mary’s University.

Currently, he is the interim dean for the School of Public Policy and Administration at Walden University and the principal consultant of Gary Kelsey and Associates, through which he has provided non-profit board development, program development, strategic planning, fundraising, collaboration, team-building, qualitative research, board retreat and other organizational development assistance and training to over 250 non-profit, philanthropic, education and government organizations.

Until March 1, Jim Bedtke, vice president for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, will continue to serve as the interim program director. For more information, contact Mary Williams Bambenek, Graduate Programs coordinator on the Winona campus, at Ext. 8738, or e-mail mbambene@smumn.edu.