Biology symposium set for March 27; Kowles to speak

The 36th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology will be held on Friday, March 27. Biology students from the Winona campus — and five to eight regional colleges and universities — will present the findings of their research at the Adducci Science Center.

The symposium’s featured presentation has been named the “R.V. Kowles Lecture” in honor of Dr. Richard Kowles, professor emeritus. Dr. Kowles served Saint Mary’s University as a distinguished university professor of biology and was a driving force in support of undergraduate research and a founder of the symposium.

Dr. Kowles will present “Can photosynthesis efficiency be increased in crops with biotechnology?: The merging of scientific disciplines to find answers” during the noon hour in Page Theatre. The campus community and the public are invited to attend the symposium and the inaugural “R.V. Kowles Lecture.”

Saint Mary’s to host third Row, Ride, Run Triathlon

The third Saint Mary’s University Heart & SOUL “Row, Ride, Run Triathlon” will take place on Saturday, April 25, at 9 a.m.; check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on the west end of Lake Winona. The public is encouraged to take part in the triathlon.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

Serving Others United in Love (SOUL) is a program of the Office of Campus Ministry at SMU, and offers opportunities to members of the SMU community to serve and be served through both national and international mission trips.

Participants may begin registering now, either as an individual or as a team. Teams may consist of two, three or four members. The registration period ends April 14. The fees are $35 per individual or $60 per team; registration spots are limited.

Each racer is responsible for bringing their own bike, and is required to wear helmets for the bicycling leg of the event. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets; a limited number of canoes and kayaks are available to rent for $20. SMU students and employees can use canoes and kayaks at no charge.

For more information, or to register online, visit www.smumn.edu/heartandsoul. For information on reservations, call Ext. 1643.

Saint Mary’s art students to display work March 29-May 9

Saint Mary’s University senior art students will display their work March 29 through May 9 in “Squaring the Circle: Constructing the Impossible.”

The show — free and open to the public — will be held in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Displaying work will be: Michael DeGidio, Mary Margaret Gill, Ann Therese Kolaczkowski, Natalie Nemetz, Samantha Oreskovich, Andrew Rath and Cassie Ward.

An opening reception is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18. The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open daily between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘A Chorus Line’ March 27-30

The Department of Theatre and Dance, under the direction of Judy Myers, will stage the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “A Chorus Line” March 27-30.

The show is set in an empty theatre, on a bare stage, during casting for a new Broadway musical. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed — to have the chance to dance. The storyline delves into the personalities of the performers as they describe events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.

The timeless classic about passion, despair and joy is the longest-running musical in Broadway history. Audiences will find themselves singing along to familiar favorites by Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban like “One (Singular Sensation),” “What I Did for Love,” and “I Hope I Get It.”

“A Chorus Line,” is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line — a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 27; Saturday, March 28; and Monday, March 30; with a 3 p.m. showing on Sunday, March 29 — all at Page Theatre, in the Performance Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Box Office, Ext. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Because of adult content, this play is suitable for mature audiences only.

Concert Band to feature diverse marches March 22

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Band will present “The March Tradition” during its Sunday, March 22, performance, scheduled for 3 p.m. in Saint Cecilia Theatre, located at Cotter High School.

The concert — in celebration of national Music in Our Schools Month — will feature a number of diverse marches, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven.

The program will include “March & Procession of Bacchus” by Delibes; Gustav Holst’s “Suite #2 in F Major”; Percy Grainger’s “Children’s March”; “American’s We” by Fillmore; Dvorak’s “Slavonic Dance”; “Poem” by Boerma; and a circus march by Brian Beck called “Technicolor Pachyderms.” Student soloist Jeremy Johnston, a senior percussion performance major, will present the “Creston Concertino for Marimba and Band.”

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Box Office, Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Cardinal athletes plan fundraiser for Guinn family

The Cardinal Athletic Council is inviting area youth in grades one through four to come and play their favorite sports with Cardinal athletes to raise money for Shaymus Guinn, age 8, who is battling bone cancer. Shaymus is the son of Tony Guinn, the former Cardinals women’s soccer coach and one of the founders of the Cardinal Athletic Council.

Shaymus is fighting Ewing’s disease, which is a cancer that can start in the bones or tissue. Shaymus and his family are at the University of Iowa cancer center where he is enduring chemo, platelet and blood transfusions, as well as countless other medical treatments. Throughout all of this Shaymus and his family continue to have hope.

The event will be held at Gostomski Fieldhouse from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22; registration begins at 1 p.m. The cost of the event is $10 per person, and each child will receive a free T-shirt and goody bag. Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Guinn family to help pay for Shaymus’ fight against cancer.

Stations for baseball, softball, track and field, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer will be set up, and Cardinal athletes from each of those sports will be in attendance. To register for the event, e-mail your child’s name and grade to Toni Winter at twinter@smumn.edu or Ext. 1579. There will be a waiver form on the day of the event that must be filled out by a legal guardian in order for the child to participate. Cash or checks made out to Saint Mary’s University are accepted. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to make a donation, please contact Nicholle Hanson at nahans05@smumn.edu.

Annual benefit dance to help Geheren family

Saint Mary’s will present the ninth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, March 28.

The beneficiaries of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — are 1990 SMU alumni Bill and Mia Geheren of Huntley, Ill., and their four children. Their three adopted children were born addicted to cocaine; one child is addicted to heroin and meth as well. Money from the benefit dance and silent auction will help the family purchase a handicapped accessible van.

This benefit dance has become an annual tradition since it was started by students in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s Campus Ministry and Student Activities staff member Nikki Richmond. Taylor has a genetic terminal illness called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) and the money from his benefit was used to fulfill Taylor's dream of going to Disneyworld. Each year this event benefits someone in the SMU community in need.

The dance, featuring music by the Johnny Holm Band, will be held in the Toner Student Center dining room. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $25 per couple.

To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact Jason Richter at Ext. 1648 or Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Katie LaPlant, Box 1471.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26-27. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room.

Famous Dave’s founder to speak April 27

Dave Anderson, founder of the popular barbecue franchise Famous Dave’s of America, will speak at Saint Mary’s University on Monday, April 27.

The event, hosted by the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at SMU, is free and open to the public. Anderson’s presentation, “Me, Inc. — The Spirit of Entrepreneurship,” will run from 6 to 7 p.m. in Page Theatre.

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Anderson shares his heartfelt optimism using his life’s story to share insight and life lessons in dealing with today’s fast-changing world. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the American dream and stresses that no matter how tough things may seem today, if you never give up your dream and work hard, tomorrow’s rewards will always come.

Anderson founded Famous Dave’s of America, which has more than 120 restaurants and growing. He is also known for helping found the Rainforest Café, another successful nationwide restaurant company. Throughout his career, he has helped found three publicly traded companies on Wall Street and created more than 20,000 new jobs.

In his own life, Anderson has experienced adversity, frustration and bankruptcy, as well as tremendous success. His life story is featured in two New York Times bestsellers. He has served two presidents and three governors in advisory positions. Anderson has also provided key testimony before Congress and the U.S. Senate. Always tackling the impossible, this bottom-half-of-the-class high school student earned his master’s degree from Harvard University without an undergraduate degree. He has appeared on all major networks including “Regis and Kathy Lee,” “Oprah Winfrey,” “The Discovery Channel,” “The Food Network,” “National Public Radio,” and more than 200 radio shows.

Anderson, a Native American, devotes his life to making a difference in his community and in the lives of others less fortunate. Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network recently recognized his leadership development work with at-risk youth.

Anderson will be available following the presentation to sign his books, “LifeSkills for Success” and “Backroads and Sidestreets Cookbook” in the Performance Center lobby. Copies of the books will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to the Lifeskills Center for Leadership in Minneapolis.

Saint Mary’s to participate in free virtual college fair

Saint Mary's University will participate in CollegeWeekLive, a free virtual college fair on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. An admission counselor will be available for a live chat throughout the entire event. Financial aid personnel will be available each day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and current students will be online to chat each day from 5-9 p.m.

Saint Mary’s will join more than 200 schools for this two-day event where students, parents, and guidance counselors can get information about schools and
• meet with admission reps;
• listen to speakers;
• learn about financial-aid opportunities;
• hear tips on SAT prep, writing winning essays and acing interviews; and
• register for scholarships and other giveaways.

Students are encouraged to pre-register at www.collegeweeklive.com for the world’s largest online virtual college fair.

Relay For Life, silent auction events are today

The second annual SMU American Cancer Society Relay for Life is today, Friday, March 20, at Gostomski Fieldhouse.

A special luminaria ceremony will give Saint Mary’s community members an opportunity to remember those they have lost to cancer and honor those who have survived.

Anyone desiring to make a luminaria or a silent auction bid should come to the basement of the Toner Student Center between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today. Donations are accepted.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event. Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising event in the nation and to celebrate the lives of those who have had cancer, remember those lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, churches ... people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of eliminating cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Saint Mary’s community cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) will kick off the Relay For Life on 7:30 p.m. at the field house with the official Survivors Lap; then, the rest of the participants will join the fun. SMU has nearly 175 people signed up to participate so far.

This year’s theme for Saint Mary’s is “Beat It.” At each hour of the walk, different themes, such as “Mr. Relay For Life” or “RFL Olympics,” will be hosted. Prizes for winning teams will be presented throughout the night.

Dollars raised through Relay For Life are providing hope to people in the Winona community. For cancer information, day-to-day help, or emotional support, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

For more information, contact Marissa, mjkadl06@smumn.edu, or Alison, amhill07@smumn.edu, or go online at www.relayforlife.org/smu.

SMU, WSU choirs to present ‘The Spirit of Venice’ March 21

The choirs of Saint Mary’s and Winona State will present an evening of Renaissance and early Baroque music in “The Spirit of Venice” on Saturday, March 21.

The choirs, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea and Dr. Harry Mechell, will perform, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at the Saint Teresa campus.

The concert will feature the works of G. Gabrieli, Schuetz, Monteverdi, Hassler, Charpentier, Vivaldi and Pergolesi — composers who have all lived or studied in Venice.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Free student rush tickets are available 20 minutes before the performance with either a Saint Mary’s or WSU student ID.

Kendall to perform for Savin’ Grace concert

A Savin’ Grace Concert — a benefit to support Grace Place Inc. — will be held 3 to 4:15 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Figliulo Recital Hall.

Performing will be Chris Kendall, vice president for Student Development, and the Two Rivers Bluegrass Band.

It is the mission of Grace Place to provide Christian guidance, support and encouragement for women with unplanned pregnancies and for families experiencing brokenness and change so that they may become strong, God-centered families and productive citizens of their community.

Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased at Grace Place, 66 E. 2nd St., or at the door. For more information, contact John Schollmeier.

SGPP hosting next ‘Let’s Do Lunch’ today

The last ‘Let’s Do Lunch’ fundraiser of the school year is scheduled for today, March 20, in the Common Room. Hosting this event, “Tantalizing Treats with No Meat (and some with meat),” is the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. The Volunteer Committee will provide deserts and water. New this time: in our continuing effort to go green, everyone is invited to bring their own cup for water. Proceeds from this event will be given to our Nairobi campus.

Alumni and friends arts event scheduled for March 28

The SMU Department of Theatre and Dance, the Friends of the School of the Arts, and the the Alumni Association will host an alumni and friends event on Saturday, March 28, featuring a performance of “A Chorus Line.” Faculty and staff are invited and welcome to attend this gathering.

From 2 to 3:30 p.m., a panel of theater majors will meet with current theatre students in the President’s Room, Toner Student Center.

At 5 p.m. a social hour and dinner will be offered in the Toner Student Center lounge, and “A Chorus Line” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre. At 9:30 p.m., a dessert reception — with cash bar — will be held in the Presidents Room.

The cost is $35 for the dinner, performance and reception or $15 for the performance and reception.

To register for this event, contact the alumni office at Ext. 1499 or register online at www.smumn.edu/sitepages/pid819.php.

‘Engage: Poverty’ weekend events announced

The Peace and Justice Club will host a variety of activities March 20-22 in recognition of Engage: Poverty weekend including:

• Common Threads Clothing Sale Friday through Sunday.

• Spoken Word – Youth poet Tottiana Adams (Minnesota State Youth Poetry Champion) at 7 p.m. today, March 20, in the Game Room. Go to
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=wsfv9TNwz4c&feature=user for more information.

• Fair Trade/Local Business Fair — 6 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Hall of Fame Room.

• Hunger Banquet — 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21, Saint Mary’s dining room.

• Keynote Speaker Julia Dinsmore, 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Presidents Room.

• Poverty-related movie with Will Smith — 8 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Presidents Room.

• Prayer Service — 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, Saint Thomas More Chapel.

Faculty, staff invited to perform in faculty revue

The fourth annual faculty revue is back by popular demand. Faculty and staff are invited to show off talents. Proceeds will benefit the sophomore class!

The show features a variety of acts. Past acts have included solo/group musical performances (vocal or instrumental), comedy, skits, and poetry readings. Other creative acts are always welcome!

The event is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, in the Common Room.

If you are interested or have any questions, contact: Luke Gonnella ljgonn06@smumn.edu or Ali Kremer amkrem07@smumn.edu.

Common Threads Clothing Drive is March 20-22

On March 20-22 the Peace and Justice Club will be having a clothing drive/sale for the SMU community and the Winona community. Shop 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Hall of Fame Room. Items are 50 cents each or $3 a bag! All proceeds are donated to help those in poverty. This event is part of the Engage:Poverty weekend.

Poems co-authored by McCullough featured in play

Four poems from the book “Sacred Vows,” co-authored by Cambodian poet U Sam Oeur and Ken McCullough (PASS program and Academic Advising), were featured as songs in a new play, “Breaking the Silence,” by veteran Dutch director Annemarie Prins. The play premiered in Phnom Penh and then toured the Cambodian provinces. The production was sponsored by the Prince Claus Fund, with additional support from the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok.

Jazz notes

Two Saint Mary’s University Jazz Combos, directed by John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven, will perform at the Westfield Golf Course Lounge Thursday, March 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. The informal event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

A Saint Mary’s University Jazz Workshop Combo, directed by Paulson, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the Winona Arts Center, 228 5th St., for a special slide lecture and jazz presentation on painter Robert Ryman, given by Dr. Vittorio Colaizzi, WSU assistant professor of art history. The combo includes John Kamp, guitar; Zach Hansmann, drums; Ryan Ballanger, alto sax; and Neil Leibundguth, bass. Admission is based on individual donations. For more information, call 453-9959 or visit www.winonaarts.org/events.html.

The John Paulson Trio performs 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Michael’s Restaurant in Rochester, and the John Paulson Quartet performs 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 21, at the Starlite Lounge in La Crosse, Wis.

The John Paulson Jazz Quartet will also perform a concert of jazz standards and original works Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, Austin, Minn. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. For information on tickets, go to www.paramounttheatre.org or call 434-0934.

A. Eric Heukeshoven will be featured pianist with the Jeff Clark Trio this weekend in La Crosse and Rochester. The trio will perform today, March 20, from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Waterfront in La Crosse, Wis., and Saturday, March 21, at Michael’s Restaurant in Rochester, Minn. Saxophonist Jeff Clark is known for his hard-hitting interpretations of jazz classics in the tradition of sax legend John Coltrane. There is no cover charge at either venue.

May is next Knowledge Acknowledged speaker

Monta May, Communication and Marketing, will share her passion for creating art that is bound up in the mystery of antiquity — the ancient artifacts, techniques, motifs, and imagery that allow us brief glimpses into the lives of our common ancestral pasts — on March 24 at the library. Her artwork reflects a fascination with things from the past.

Swim teams earn Academic All-American honors

The College Swim Coaches Association of America has recognized the men’s swimming and diving team with Academic All-American Team honors for the fall 2008 semester.

The women’s swimming and diving team earned Academic All American Team honors for spring 2008.

The teams maintained an average GPA over 3.0 to be recognized.

McCullough to participate in Georgetown University event

Ken McCullough (Academic Advising, PASS program) will participate in “Cry Havoc!: Poetry of War and Remembrance, 1968-2008,” a Lannan Symposium and Festival, at Georgetown University March 30-31. McCullough will present the poetry of Cambodian U Sam Oeur, Pol Pot survivor, as part of a symposium entitled “Terror and Image: Poetry, the Built and the Visual, from Cambodia to El Salvador to Fallujah.” McCullough will also be part of a panel discussing “War and Remembrance: Surviving with Language and Memory.”

SMU in the news

Here are recent mentions of SMU “making the news” — in the Winona area and beyond.

• The Winona Post published an article titled “Local colleges mark Women’s History Month” in its March 15 edition. The article included details of SMU events.

• The Winona Daily News published “Getting their kicks: ‘A Chorus Line’ celebrates sacrifice” on Thursday, March 19.

High School Challenge continues on Fox 25/48

Last Sunday the quarterfinals of High School Challenge kicked off with La Crescent High School defeating Winona Senior High 140-135.

This Sunday, Logan Red will take on Eau Claire Regis in the second quarter final game of High School Challenge, a tournament of knowledge sponsored by Saint Mary’s. Eight teams compete for the title of High School Challenge Super Bowl Champion. Tune in at 10 a.m. on Fox 25/48, Sunday, March 22, to see which team will advance to the semi-finals!

Gaut interviewed about National Endowment Grant

Dr. Greg Gaut (History Department) was interviewed for the article, “Winona Historical Society Exhibit Earns National Endowment Grant,” which was published March 16 in the Rochester Post Bulletin.

To read the story online, go to www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=390085.

Gaut to give presentation March 25

Dr. Greg Gaut (History dDepartment) will speak about “Red Stars over Minnesota: The Gorbechevs visit the Twin Cities” on Wednesday, March 25, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the faculty dining room. Let the cashier know you are going to the FDC presentation and then proceed through the lunch line.

Gaut’s presentation details Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev’s visit to the Twin Cities after a summit meeting with George Bush in June, 1990. Gov. Rudy Perpich hoped the visit would aid in his reelection campaign, corporations hoped to find economic opportunities in the Soviet Union, and average Minnesotans hoped that the end of the Cold War would lead to U.S.-Soviet cooperation on the environment, nuclear disarmament, and poverty. Things turned out differently.

Supported by a Summer Faculty Research Grant, Dr. Gaut researched this article at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul and the Iron Range Interpretive Center in Chisholm, MN (where the Perpich papers are archived). With his co-author Marsha Neff, he prepared a manuscript which reconstructs and interprets this day when Minnesota held the attention of the world's press. After peer review, Minnesota History accepted the article for publication in its December 2009 issue.

Heukeshoven serves as guest clinician

Dr. Janet Heukeshoven (music department) served as guest clinician for the Classic Lakes Conference Band Festival, held at Wayzata High School on Tuesday, March 17. Dr. Heukeshoven worked with two Wayzata Senior High Bands (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble), Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Concert Band, Edina Concert Band, and the Minnetonka Wind Ensemble.

Sympathy to Ryan family

James Markham, father of Kathy Ryan (program director, M.A. Special Ed.) died March 11. Cards of condolence can be sent to: Kathy and Dane Ryan, and sons, Jacob, Zachary and Ayden at Campus Box 22.