Thursday, December 3, 2009

Staff, faculty, students to celebrate Patronal Feast Mass

The Saint Mary’s community will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception/Patronal Feast Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 12:10 p.m. in the Chapel.

Today is the last day for faculty and staff to pick up their free meal tickets from the Info Desk for the Community Meal in honor of the Patronal Feast of our university. The feast will be held 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the cafeteria. All staff, faculty and students are welcome to attend.

To allow time for Mass and lunch, the afternoon classes will be truncated as follows:

• 12:15-1:30 p.m. classes meet 1:40-2:35 p.m.
• 1:45-3:00 p.m. classes meet 2:50-3:45 p.m.
• Classes that normally meet after 3 p.m. will start at 4 p.m. and end at the discretion of the instructor.

Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast is Dec. 10

The Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells Food Service will sponsor the Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast for students on Thursday, Dec. 10.

The breakfast will be served by faculty and staff in the Toner Center Dining Room from 10-11:30 p.m. This popular event is usually attended by approximately 700 students. About 25 people assist with cooking, serving, and cleaning up. By tradition, second year full-time faculty are asked to serve and clean up from 9-10:30 p.m. First year full-time faculty are asked to serve and clean up from 10:15-11:45 p.m. However, all faculty are welcome to participate in this event. Everyone is invited to join the students in singing Christmas carols, and Santa will make an appearance.

The breakfast follows the traditional Christmas Light Service at 9:30 p.m. in the Saint Thomas More Chapel, followed by the tree lighting ceremony at the plaza.

Choirs to present ‘Lessons & Carols’

The Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The performance — a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through song and spoken word — will be held at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Music will include familiar carols, as well as selections by a variety of composers from the Renaissance to the present.

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

Faculty and staff are eligible to receive two free tickets for this week’s Music Department events.

Concert Band holiday concert is Dec. 6


WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will hold its annual holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Page Theatre.

Musical selections include classic Christmas favorites such as “O Holy Night,” Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride.”

After the concert, the audience is invited to join the band in the Miller Lobby for a Christmas cookie reception with more music, presented by SMU band members.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Tickets are also available at the door. Faculty and staff are eligible to receive two free tickets for this week's Music Department events.

For more information, contact Dr. Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu.

Miles Johnston to highlight SMU jazz concert Dec. 4



WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University will present an evening of jazz — featuring student jazz groups and guest musician Miles Johnston — Friday, Dec. 4.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theater, located in the SMU Performance Center. The Jazz Ensemble (16-piece big band) and Jazz Combo I, both under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will perform.

The Jazz Ensemble will perform a wide range of styles, featuring several distinctive student soloists, and Johnston, who is a multi-talented drummer, singer and cornet player. The set will include “The Nasty Blues” by Mike Carubia, which will include solos by Vanessa Grams of Little Falls on alto sax; Trevor Woggon of Viroqua, Wis., on trombone; Benjamin Scott of Rochester on bari sax; and bassist Joe Mazucca of St. Michael. Also included will be Mike Tomaro’s arrangement of Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington’s “Caravan”; “Smack Dab in the Middle,” arranged by Sammy Nestico from the book of Count Basie; and a new plunger trombone feature, “Keep the Stick” by Dean Sorenson. This piece will highlight the work of student trombonist Tom Briese of Rochester, Minn. Johnston will sing several selections from the Great American Songbook, arranged by Dave Wolpe for big band, including, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Just Friends” and “Night and Day.”

Jazz Combo I will play several recognizable works by Horace Silver like “The Preacher” and “Sister Sadie,” along with an outstanding arrangement of “Freddie The Freeloader” by Miles Davis, arranged by Frank Mantooth and featuring Johnston on cornet. Also, included in their set will be a new arrangement by vibraphonist Jeremy Johnston of “Black Magic Woman,” as played by Santana.

A jazzy Christmas tune or two will be included in the mix, and an additional Jazz Workshop Combo will perform in the lobby for a pre-concert show. Come early to enjoy music by these talented students.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.
Faculty and staff are eligible to receive two free tickets for this week's Music Department events.

About Miles Johnston

Miles Johnston has been playing music for more than 40 years. He studied music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then piano technology at the UW-River Falls.

While in the Army, Johnston played in stage band, concert band, marching band, and small jazz and rock groups. With the 3rd Armored Division Band he traveled throughout Germany, Holland, and France playing Fasching parades, concerts, beer tents, and Army ceremonial jobs.

After the Army and after finishing school, Johnston and his family moved to Rochester, where he has played with numerous bands.

When Johnston was in his early 40s, he decided to take up the cornet as a second instrument. After seven years of cornet practice, just as he had started to play publicly, he was humbled by the onset of Bell’s palsy, which temporarily paralyzed the left side of his face. It was a year before he could play publicly again.

In 2000-2001, he performed aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line flag ship the S.S. Norway. Since then, has been performing with the swing group 2 O’Clock Jump and doing freelance work. He also regularly plays with the Miles Johnston Quartet and as part of a local jazz trio and duo.

Dance Repertory Company presents winter showcase

Dance Repertory Company II performers and young choreographers will present Winter Dance Showcase 2009, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5.

Audiences can enjoy performances at 6 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 4, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre, located at 1164 West 10th St.

Dance Repertory Company II is the junior performing troupe of Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA). Students ages 5 to 12 will perform classical ballet, jazz and modern dance. These young students auditioned last September for the showcase and have been participating in weekly technique classes and rehearsals.

The performance will also include original works by the MCA and Saint Mary’s young choreographers. These high school and college students participated in choreography and dance composition courses throughout the semester.

Young choreographers presenting works include: Dot Armstrong, Abby Ayotte, Fallon Devine, Lydia Feuerhelm, Joanna Mills, Sarah Mills, Bryan Moore and Adelle Vietor. DRC II cast members include: Colin Cada, Lauren Callahan, Walker Crum, Gwendolyn Gray-Burlingame, Cooper Hancock, Phoebe Kropuenske, Megan Lynch, Alec Meinke, Hayden Meinke, Justine Meinke, Laura Schleich, Natalie Schleich, Olivia Schlesser, Maren Stewart, Emily Strom, Anna Velikanova, Calli Jo Wagner and Emmalena Williamson.

Tickets are $10 for adults. Admission for children and students ages 2-21 is free. To reserve tickets, call 453-5500. Seating is limited. For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org. For more information about the SMU dance minor program, visit www.smumn.edu/danceminor.

Winona Area Youth Singers plan winter concert Dec. 6

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS) in a winter concert — featuring music from around the world — on Sunday, Dec. 6.

The concert will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St. The program will include folk music from the Pacific Rim, Africa, Europe and the Americas, and concludes with some traditional Christmas carols.

“The singers have been working hard and are excited to perform songs from different cultures and in different languages,” said Lindsy O’Shea, WAYS director.

WAYS members include: Shae Alcamo, Phillippa Armstrong, Adrian Brietzke, Andrew Behling, Mariah Bruner, Carina Dretske, Daria Goede, Justine Meinke, Alexa Morescki, Shannon O’Brien, Audrey Schmidt, Addison Sim, Noel Thompson and Korto Thrune. The WAYS assistant conductor is Matt Polum, and Laura Rothe serves as accompanist.

Reserved tickets are not necessary. Admission is $10 at the door for adults; cash and checks are accepted. Admission is free for children and students ages 2-21.

In addition to the winter concert, the group will be participating in holiday caroling throughout the Winona community on Monday, Dec. 7.

WAYS members are students in grades four through eight from Winona and the surrounding areas. WAYS is the official youth choir of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic and educational vocal music experiences for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances.

WAYS is tuition-free to all students in the 2009-10 academic year, courtesy of a grant from Saint Mary’s University Friends of the School of the Arts. Registration and placement auditions to join WAYS for semester II are Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5501.

Film, presentation about Palestine offered Dec. 9

The public is invited to a video and presentation about Palestine at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, in Salvi Lecture Hall.

The free event will begin with a half-hour video about the Free Bethlehem Campaign. The movie discusses the highly controversial Israeli West-Bank barrier, a network of fences with vehicle-barrier trenches. Following the video, Dr. Dorothy Diehl, associate professor and chair of the Modern/Classical Languages Department, will make a presentation about her visit to Palestine in the fall of 2008. Diehl will also give an update on conditions in Bethlehem.

The Free Bethlehem Campaign, sponsored by the American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights, works to educate Americans about the current situation in Bethlehem.

Let’s Do Lunch sponsored by Cabinet today

The next Let’s Do Lunch fundraiser will be sponsored by the Cabinet between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 4. A soup and salad menu is planned. The Volunteer Committee will provide desserts, plates, silverware and water. All faculty, staff and administration are invited to this fund-raising event, held in the Common Room. Funds from the “Let’s Do Lunch” events are given to the Volunteer Services Food Shelf.

Student art on display at SMU through Dec. 11



This relief print by Brianna Nelson is one of several pieces on display for the 2009 Undergraduate Art Show at Saint Mary’s University. The show is not limited to art majors, but is open to any SMU art student. A variety of artwork is on display Thursday, Nov. 19, through Friday, Dec. 11, in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Mear at mmear@smumn.edu.


A True Fighter” by Mariana Sanchez is part of the 2009 Undergraduate Art Show at Saint Mary's University. The show, currently on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, includes photographs, drawings, sculptures and prints. The exhibit will run through Dec. 11 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Mear at mmear@smumn.edu.

McCullough to perform ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’


Ken McCullough, Academic Advising, PASS program, and Winona’s new Poet Laureate, will perform Dylan Thomas’s classic, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” in the Common Room, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by the English Department and MUSE.

SMU jazz combos to perform at Acoustic Café Dec. 13


WINONA, Minn. — Two student jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven of the Saint Mary’s University Music Department will present a free concert from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Acoustic Café in Winona.

This event will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester. The performance serves as their “final exam.” They'll be playing well-known jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis, as well as some unique hybrid arrangements of popular jazz tunes blended with familiar Christmas tunes by Heukeshoven.

Area high schools advance in High School Challenge

The Saint Mary’s High School Challenge preliminary season finished Saturday, Nov. 21, with Round 1C. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing area schools in an educational forum. Participating schools come from Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and Northeast Iowa.

The following schools competed in October and November and are moving on to the Consolation Championship Saturday, Dec. 5: Bangor’s red team, Holmen’s white team, Blair-Taylor, Youth Initiative I, Aquinas, Cotter’s white team, DeSoto, and Decorah’s red team. Moving on to the Super Challenge Feb. 13 are: Cotter’s blue team, Riceville (Iowa), Decorah’s blue team, Logan’s red team, Lewiston-Altura, Regis’ green team, Holmen’s maroon team and West Salem’s black team.

During the first rounds of competition, teams that win their afternoon game return for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games return for the Super Challenge Championship. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at Ext. 1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

Oldie Moldie All-Stars take third at Treasure Island


The Oldie Moldie All-Stars took third in the Treasure Island Battle of the Bands in Red Wing on Saturday, Nov. 28. Third prize was $1,000. A pool of 25 bands from throughout Minnesota was narrowed to six through online voting. The Oldie Moldies would like to thank SMU for its support.

Students perform Monday in Theatre Showcase

The Department of Theatre and Dance will conduct the annual Theatre Showcase Monday, Dec. 7. This particular showcase features several musical theatre performances (Matthew Gorgone, Joanna Mills, Nora Richards, Bryan Moore, Michelle Cullen), four senior showcase performances (Curtis Kempton, Bernadette Raspante, Caitlin Murphy, Alison Fisch), and the display of seven portfolios (listed below).

The showcase will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. Portfolios will be on display in the Ben Miller Lobby beginning at 7 p.m., as well as after the performance. All are welcome!

Senior theatre majors portfolios include:
• Alison Fisch (acting and musical theatre performance)
• Curtis Kempton (acting)
• Caitlin Murphy (acting and costume design)
• Bernadette Raspante (directing, stage management and acting)
• William Ronchak (theatre management/arts administration)
• Timothy Schmall (lighting design)
• Danielle Steube (directing)

Next ‘Brown Bag it @ the Fitz!’ scheduled for today

“Feeding the Hungry Mind: RSS Feeds in Library Databases” is the title of the next “Brown Bag it @ the Fitz” event, scheduled for 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

Learn how to set up an RSS feed from library databases to access the latest research or follow your favorite journal directly from your e-mail or an RSS reader. Grab your lunch and come to the McEnery Center main lounge. Drinks and dessert will be provided.

Winners of Kabara contest announced

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies congratulates Catherine McDonald, Santiago Escobar and Paul Mleczko, the top prize winners in the recent Elevator Pitch competition. Contestants were asked to create an idea for a business and a speech that would convince another person to invest in that business. The speech was only 60 to 90 seconds long, the length of an elevator ride. The participants proposed a variety of new businesses, ranging from a holiday decorating service to a fast-food establishment to a web-based music business. A total of $500 in prizes was distributed to the participants.

Another round of the elevator pitch competition will be held in Spring 2010, in addition to the annual business plan competition. The Kabara Institute will also offer a series of hands-on workshops to help students from all majors develop their ideas for start-up businesses into complete business plans. Questions about the competitions or the workshops should be directed to Teresa Speck at Ext. 1449.

Entrepreneurship students raise money for WAHS

WINONA, Minn. — Students from the Saint Mary’s University entrepreneurship class sold specially designed T-shirts this fall to raise money for the Winona Area Humane Society. Students pictured include, from left, Jake Lechner, Kathleen Pawlowski, Dave Dahlstrom, Lindsey Quinn and Emily Merchlewitz. Their professor, Jana Schrenkler, fourth from left, presented WAHS volunteers Karen Kryzsko, fourth from right, and Tammy Vondrasek, right, with a gift card for office supplies. Also pictured are Trixie and Al Przybylski, dog handler.

The 20-member class raised $600 for the WAHS with the sale of the first annual Cardinal Pride T-shirt, designed by students. With the proceeds, the class was able to purchase a $400 gift card from Office Depot and reimburse the WAHS $200 for the large animal steps shown. This project — a lesson in social entrepreneurship — is part of the business department’s focus on promoting and supporting the university’s new entrepreneurship major. Each semester, students choose a local non-profit organization in which to donate funds from their class-run business. If you would like to nominate a local non-profit organization to benefit from next semester’s entrepreneurship business, please contact Jana Schrenkler at jschrenk@smumn.edu or (507) 457-1491.

M.Ed. Leadership Team research paper accepted

Dr. Roger Peckover, Suzanne Peterson, Pat Christiansen and Brenda Fischer, members of the Development Team of the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning (M.Ed.), have had their research accepted for presentation at the 2010 annual meeting of the America Research Association in Denver, Colo. The paper, titled “Teacher Development with the Spirit-in-Mind: Building A.G.A.P.E. into Professional Communities of Practice,” reports results from an ongoing case study of a structured master degree program helping teachers bring Lasallian, spirit-centered, inner life work into productive relationship with their daily teaching.

The two-year program brings teachers together for collaborative inquiry into their relationship with the spirit of agape as expressed in five dimensions of teaching practice represented by the acronym A.G.A.P.E. Teachers utilize qualitative methodological processes including sacred inquiry, hermeneutics, self-study and action research to examine their teaching life in practice. Results of the ongoing programmatic study reveal teacher insights into creating a unified life as a teacher, bringing spirit and teaching praxis into holistic relationship. Teacher challenges in the development process and implications for professional teacher development are discussed.

Jackson and Peckover have research paper accepted

Dr. David Jackson and Dr. Roger Peckover of the M.Ed. program have had their research accepted for presentation at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the America Research Association in Denver, Colo. The paper, titled “Lives of Teachers in Communities of Practice: The Ecology of Partnering for Change in the Workplace,” reports results from an ongoing case study of a structured master degree program collaborating with a school district to build a culture of teacher inquiry, teacher leadership and empowered communities of practice among teachers within the district. Results of the ongoing collaborative efforts reflect how the design of district-tailored experiences impact teachers’ lives across two years. Implications for helping higher education programs, districts and teachers engage their workplace communities are discussed.

Biology students receive Tribeta research grants

Five Saint Mary’s University biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships including, from left: Brianna Braun, Angela Lager, John Fox, Ashley Loos and Hilary Framke.

Five biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships. Each student submitted a proposal for his or her senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget.

The students, their projects and their research advisors are:

• Hilary Framke, “Physiological responses to crude extract of Noturus gyrinus pectoral spine toxin,” Dr. Randy Krainock, advisor;
• Ashley Loos, “The response of Micropterus salmides to venom produced by Noturus gyrinus,” Dr. Krainock, advisor;
• John Fox, “The effects of tissue isolation from the fins of Noturus gyrinus on Leponis gibbosus and Mus musculus,” Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor;
• Brianna Braun, “Determining the paternity of Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuaria) in the bluffs around Winona,” Dr. Phil Cochran and Dr. Debra Martin, advisors;
• Angela Lager, “Genetic variation between and within local populations of timber rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus,” Dr. Martin and Dr. Cochran, advisors.

Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta faculty advisor.

Kowles to publish fourth book titled, ‘Genetics Everywhere’

Dr. Dick Kowles, professor emeritus in biology, will soon have another book published. He has entered a contract with Prometheus Books, Amherst, N.Y., to publish a recently completed book called “Genetics Everywhere.” This is a trade book written for the general public that explains the many ways in which genetics is connected to our everyday life. The book is scheduled to be out in late 2010. This is the fourth book that Kowles has written. The first three were, “Genetics, Society, and Decisions,” “Solving Problems in Genetics” and “School.” Kowles has started working on his next book.

Voice mail system to be changed over Christmas break

SMU’s current voice mail system — purchased in 1995 — is no longer maintained by the manufacturer. A replacement system has been purchased, based on more up-to-date technology.

While it works slightly differently, it provides much of the same functionality. It also allows voicemail messages to be forwarded to e-mail. The IT staff is working on creating voicemail boxes, student name dial entries and voice menus. They hope to move to this system over Christmas break; staff will be able to access this system for testing and training in the near future.

Employee changes

New Employees:
• Stephen Ohs, Dec. 1, 2009, Twin Cities Tech Services librarian
• Julie Kirsch, Nov. 24, 2009, Twin Cities administrative assistant

Leaving:
• Natalie Novacek, Nov. 30, 2009, Twin Cities, M.A. in Education administrative assistant

Reminder: next week is last ‘Campus Notes’ before break

Because of the Christmas and New Years holidays, next week is the last ‘Campus Notes’ for the year. Look ahead on your calendars. The deadline for the Dec. 11 issue is Wednesday, Dec. 9. The following issue will be Jan. 8. The deadline for that issue will be Jan. 6.