Public invited to SMU 10K classic ski Sunday, Jan. 31

The public is invited to the annual “SMU 10K” classic ski event on Sunday, Jan. 31.

The event is open to all individuals, with a mass start slated for 1 p.m. On-site registration will begin at 11 a.m. at the Toner Student Center. The cost is $10, which includes a souvenir race bib. Medals will be awarded for men and women in open and recreational classes.

For more information or to receive a registration form, call Davey Warner at Ext. 8740 or e-mail drwarn03@smumn.edu.

Music Department to host SMU Composers Recital

The Music Department is planning a recital of music, written by members of the Saint Mary’s community. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 10, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Compositions by music faculty members Dr. Patrick O’Shea, Dr. John Paulson, and A. Eric Heukeshoven will share the program with original music by other SMU composers.

If you are a composer with ties to Saint Mary’s, it is still possible to have your music included on this program. The Music Department will assist in finding performers where possible, but it is preferred that composers provide their own musicians for the event.

For more information, contact Eric Heukeshoven, eheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 7292, no later than Feb. 12.

Students to embark on SOUL trips Feb. 12-20

Campus Ministry is planning a variety of SOUL (Serving Others United in Love) trips Feb. 12-20.

Students will travel to De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Mo.; Camp Hope in New Orleans; Catholic Worker Houses in Missouri and Iowa; De La Salle in Town in Philadelphia; L’Arche Community in Clinton, Iowa; McDowell County in West Virginia; Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Ariz.; San Miguel schools in Chicago; and Tides Family Services in Rhode Island.

Advisors on these trips will include Dr. Tycho de Boer, Chris McClead, Peggy Walters, Kathy Pederson, Katie LaPlant, Dr. Joseph Tadie, Karen Sorvaag, Dr. Jaime Mueller and Lynn Streefland.

Report shows Saint Mary’s athletes excel in classroom

For any student-athlete, statistics help tell the story of their individual or team successes.

Goals, assists, attack percentage, field goals made, split times, service aces, batting average … the list goes on and on.

For members of the 21 varsity intercollegiate sports at Saint Mary’s, however, one statistic stands out above all the rest — 3.11. That’s the overall SMU student-athlete grade-point-average for Fall 2009 semester, as calculated by Saint Mary’s institutional research.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes on and off the field of competition,” said SMU athletic director Nikki Fennern, noting that 16 of the 21 varsity teams boasted a team GPA of 3.00 or higher, with the women’s track and field (3.53) and the men’s cross country (3.43) leading the charge. “Academic success is the main goal of all of our students. To achieve this while committing many hours per week to their sport, work, and other campus activities is even more impressive.”

Of the 325 current student-athletes — who make up 25 percent of SMU’s full-time undergraduate population — 15 had perfect 4.0 GPAs, while 73 were named to the dean’s list with GPAs of 3.60 or above, and 182 finished the fall semester at 3.00 or higher.

Along with their successes in competition and in the classroom, several Cardinal teams have also been busy volunteering their time around the Winona community. Over half of SMU’s teams have spent time volunteering in the community or for special events such as cancer awareness and Gifts for Winona. More community service opportunities are scheduled for second semester.

“It is important for our student-athletes to give back to the community,” Fennern said. “These young men and women show great generosity with their time and energy.”

SMU Chamber Singers to perform in Colorado

The Chamber Singers will perform a series of concerts in Colorado as part of their 2010 Concert Tour. The 22-voice select ensemble is directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea.

Tour performances will include concerts at:
• Chapel of Our Savior (Colorado Springs) – Friday, Feb. 19; and
• St. Paul Catholic Church (Colorado Springs) – Sunday, Feb. 21.

The Chamber Singers will also serve as guest choir for Masses at St. Paul Catholic Church in Colorado Springs on Sunday, Feb. 21, and before departing at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. (10:30 a.m. Mass).

All performances are free and open to the public. Repertoire will include a cappella works by Willan, Scarlatti, O’Shea, Hatfield and Woollen, as well as some vocal jazz material. For more information, call Ext. 1598.

Théâtre Sans Fil to present ‘The Hobbit’ Feb. 9

Enormous puppets and spectacular special effects will bring the beloved story of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” to life on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Saint Mary’s. This performance by Théâtre Sans Fil will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Page Theater.

“The Hobbit” tells the familiar story of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard and a company of dwarfs who find themselves caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and dangerous dragon.

Théâtre Sans Fil (Theatre without Strings) was last in Winona in 2008, performing “Hansel & Gretel” at SMU. Théâtre Sans Fil specializes in giant puppets inspired by the classical technique of Japanese Bunraku theatre. The company successfully unites this style with original and modern set design, lighting and music. Fantasy, poetry, make-believe and magic, along with unusual and heroic characters highlight this production of the world-renowned fantasy tale.

Founded in Quebec in 1971 by André Viens, artistic and general director, the Théâtre Sans Fil has given more than 3,000 performances to 3 million spectators.

Tickets $12 for adults and $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.

Saint Mary’s hosts public event centered around ‘The Hobbit’

Fans of “The Hobbit” are invited for an afternoon of fun at the Winona Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 12:30 p.m. as Saint Mary’s hosts a “Hobbit-nista Gathering.”

A variety of events are planned:

• Cookies and punch will be served, and Saint Mary’s theatre arts students will present dramatic readings from “The Hobbit.”

• Students 18 years old and younger are invited to bring along their best original artwork, depicting a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Prizes to be awarded (by random drawing) include gift cards to Mugby Junction, the Book Shelf and Barnes & Noble. Juror’s choices will be on display at the SMU Page Theatre lobby the night of the Théâtre Sans Fil performance of “The Hobbit” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9.

• Those who come early to the Hobbit-nista Gathering will be eligible for free ticket drawings to see the Page Series Théâtre Sans Fil performance.

This event is funded by the SELCO Arts and Cultural Library Legacy Fund. Support for the performance of “The Hobbit” by Théâtre Sans Fil is provided in part by Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders. Support for the school matinee of “The Hobbit” by Théâtre Sans Fil is provided in part by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest. Additional support provided by the Winona Community Foundation and Target.

Black History Jazz and Blues Night planned for Feb. 1

Music faculty John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven; students Jeremy Johnston, Vanessa Grams, Tom Briese and Joe Mazzuca; and SMU alum Chris White will kick off Black History Month with a music tribute to African American jazz and blues composers and musicians on Monday, Feb. 1. This event will take place at 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. in the Cardinal Club. The admission to this event is free.

Jewelry sale Feb. 10 to raise money for Haiti

Do you have any great jewelry you don’t wear?

Donate those pieces to help the earthquake victims in Haiti!

The SMU community is invited to go through jewelry boxes and look for jewelry to donate. The jewelry should be nice, fashionable, in good repair. All of the donated items will be priced and offered for sale on Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Saint Mary’s Hall. More details about the actual sale will come out as the date gets closer.

Donations can be brought to Kathy Pederson in the SMU business office, or Katie LaPlant or Nikki Richmond in the lower level of Toner Student Center by Feb. 8.

Chili cookoff to highlight next Let’s Do Lunch Feb. 26

The next Let’s Do Lunch event is scheduled for Feb. 26 in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are invited to enter their favorite chili in the annual chili cookoff. The top three winners will receive prizes.

SMU, WSU poets offer evening of poetry tonight

Winona’s Poet Laureate Ken McCullough from Saint Mary’s and former Poet Laureate Jim Armstrong from Winona State will co-host “A Confluence of Voices” on Friday, Jan. 29.

Several poets from both Saint Mary’s and Winona State will read their work in round-robin fashion, followed by an open mic.

This event, part of the Frozen River Fringe Fest, will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mugby Junction, located at 451 Huff St.

For more information, call McCullough at Ext. 8737.

Frozen River Film Festival runs through this weekend

The Frozen River Film Festival will continue through Jan. 31 at Winona State.

The Festival will contain a variety of films, speakers, workshops, music, and much more. The Frozen River Film Festival Club will be transporting students to and from the Festival at the following times on Saturday:

• Leave SMU at 9:30 a.m. and return at noon.
• Leave SMU at 12:15 p.m. and return at 3 p.m. • Leave at 3:15 p.m. and return at 5:30 p.m.
• Leave 5:35 p.m. and return at 10:15 p.m.

On Sunday, the van will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at noon.

Students may attend the festival for free with student ID. For show times or more information, go to www.frff.org.

International Showcase raises $1,450 for Haiti relief

Jing Wang

Jasmine Wang

Suba Krishnan

Saint Mary’s students showcased a variety of talents, including colorful dance moves and harmonious music at the International Showcase on Saturday, Jan. 23.

More than 300 people attended, and about $1,450 was raised for the Haiti Relief Fund. A special thanks goes out to the Inter-Cultural Awareness Association, the International Students Club, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Chartwells, maintenance, performers and the audience who made this event a success. Video from the event will be posted on YouTube soon.

Well-known conductor Dale Warland works with choir

Dale Warland, American conductor, composer, and founder of the Grammy-nominated Dale Warland Singers, worked with the Chamber Singers on Monday, Jan. 25, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Warland also led a question-and-answer session for emerging conductors and interested choral singers. The emphasis on the session was to help students prepare to serve as conductors and music directors.

Winners of Kabara contest announced

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies announced that Nick Fabbri, Laura Enstad, Catherine McDonald and Benjamin A. Scott were awarded the top prizes in the recent Elevator Pitch Competition.

Contestants created an idea for a new business and had 90 seconds (the length of an average elevator ride) to convince a panel of judges that the idea was a worthwhile investment.

Students from several different majors developed ideas ranging from food delivery services to manufacturing businesses to internet-based companies.

SMU hosts Kabara Institute business workshops

The Karaba Institute is presenting three business workshops to help students learn to prepare a successful business plan.

The next two presentations are scheduled for Mondays, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, at 3:15 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall. On Feb. 4, Jeff Hefel will discuss “organization and management decisions” as well as “marketing and sales strategies.” On Feb. 11, Sharon O’Reilly will discuss “financial management and acquiring start-up funds.”

Jana Schrenkler started off the series Jan. 28 with a presentation about “defining your market and developing a vision and a mission.”

These workshops are independent and open to all majors and all levels of students. Undergraduate students can also enter the business plan in the annual Kabara Business Plan Competition that will be held in March.

SMU Green Team presents 5-part series on sustainability

The Saint Mary’s Green Team is presenting a five-part series on sustainability.

The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will be led by faculty Joe Tadie, Joyce Altobelli and Jeff Amundson. They will lead a discussion on how small, daily changes may have the greatest impact on lowering energy consumption.

On Wednesday, March 17, the topic will be “Food.” Mary Gleich, Curt Coshenet, Chris Kendall and Chris McClead will lead a discussion on how food affects and is affected by climate change, including locally grown foods, composting, gardening, farming, Fair Trade, starvation, and other topics.

On Monday, April 23, Tom Marpe, Chris Kendall and Andy Robertson will lead a discussion on “Green Economy” — how climate change impacts the way we do business including green purchasing, marketing strategies, and new careers related to sustainability.

Everyone is invited to join the discussions on how Saint Mary’s is responding to climate change issues — and how you can help. As the university implements its Environmental Management System, faculty, staff and students will reduce their consumption of resources, reduce their carbon footprint, become better stewards of creation, and support environmental justice.

Topics already covered include efforts to reduce solid waste production, and “Sustainability and the Catholic University” — the moral and ethical implications of climate change and sustainability.

Next Chat, Chow and Web 2.0 event scheduled for Feb. 10

The next Chat, Chow and Web 2.0 event will be held Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the McEnery lounge. The event is called “Always Somebody Else’s Horizon” and the discussion will focus on “The Horizon Report,” the annual guide to technology trends that came out in January. Find out what’s ahead in one year, in two to three years, and in four to five years. What are some critical challenges, some key trends for academia? How will we respond?

Employee changes

Leaving:
• Ronald Weimer, January, admissions associate director
• Debbie Rose, January, Twin Cities administrative assistant
• Elissa Hall, January, PDI program director

Annual Twin Cities admission reception is Sunday

On Sunday, Jan. 31, the Admission Office will host its annual Twin Cities Reception at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington, Minn. Prospective students and parents will have the opportunity to meet with more than 75 SMU faculty, staff, coaches, current students, and alumni at the open house from 1 to 4 p.m. The positive comments that admission staff hears from the students and their parents after these events remind them that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

SMU hosts one-act play sectionals Saturday

Saint Mary’s is hosting the Minnesota High School One-Act Play Section 1A competition Saturday, Jan. 30, in Page Theatre. Area schools competing include: St. Charles, Triton, Stewartville, Spring Grove, Cannon Falls, Rushford-Peterson, Wabasha-Kellogg and Kasson-Mantorville. Performances begin at 8:30 a.m. and run through 5 p.m.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc., featuring Eric Heukeshoven, will perform 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Signature’s Restaurant.

John Paulson will be performing Tuesday, Feb. 2, with Jazz Combo I at the Project Fine reception on campus and Friday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Michael's in Rochester with his own quartet. On Friday, Feb. 12, he'll be giving a presentation on Music Technology at the MMEA Convention in Minneapolis. At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, he’s with Swing Inc. at Signatures in Winona, and on Monday, Feb. 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the SMU Jazz Ensemble performs at Jefferson Pub & Grill in Winona. Over break, on Feb. 15-16, the jazz ensemble will record their first CD on campus.

Learn to enjoy life at Feb. 2 workshop

The Saint Teresa Institute Leadership and Service Institute for Women is hosting a workshop titled “Enjoying a Life that Counts!” Tuesdays, Feb. 2 and 9. The presentations, by Kathy Pederson, run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall.

This two-part workshop explains tools and tips to create a daily agenda that enables you to achieve and enjoy optimal success with a faith-based lifestyle. A light dinner will be provided. E-mail tpape@smumn.edu by Monday, Feb. 1, to register. This workshop is open to all Saint Mary’s students, faculty and staff.

Congratulations to the Landrums

Kevin (men’s assistant basketball coach) and Emmy Landrum had a baby girl, Arabella Jordan, on Thursday, Jan. 21. Todd Landrum (head men’s basketball coach) is Kevin’s father. Saint Mary’s University extends its congratulations to the Landrum family.