First Countdown to College set for July 24-Aug. 7

Saint Mary’s will host its first Countdown to College July 24-Aug. 7 in Winona. This two-week program for students from economically underprivileged communities will be offered to students each year for four years — beginning just after they complete eighth grade and continuing until they reach college age — helping to assure each student is prepared for a successful college experience.

The 25 participants in Countdown to College attend schools in the Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago and Tucson metropolitan areas. Preference is given to graduates of Saint Mary’s middle school partners in the NativityMiguel Network of Jesuit and Christian Brothers’ schools, which are located in these cities.

Countdown to College is funded for 2010-2013 by a generous donation from Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester, Minn. Mary Ann is also the chairwoman of the SMU First-Generation Advisory Board.

The camp is completely free to student participants, their parents (who come the first weekend) and teachers from their schools, who co-teach with SMU instructors, and help prepare SMU instructors on how to effectively work with this growing population of students.

Daily schedules will mix college orientation with academic classes, sports, recreation, supervised study halls, academic contests, movies with a message, game room and celebrations. Academic classes will include reading, writing, math, and grammar/vocabulary. Weekends will feature field trips as well as academic and social/recreational activities.

The camp is the foundation portion of Saint Mary’s First-Generation Initiative, a program designed to offer academic and personal support to first-generation students as they transition into higher education. It is the hope that through the FGI program, up to 15 students will be eligible to receive full SMU scholarships each year for the next four years, starting this fall. The level will eventually be maintained at 60 qualifying students. Additionally, SMU First-Generation students will be supported through College Colleagues, a campus mentoring program that pairs students with a support team to help them through college life.

SMU to host Tegrity regional showcase July 28

Tegrity, a leading provider of lecture capture technology, will be hosting an executive luncheon at Saint Mary’s on Wednesday, July 28, in Salvi Lecture Hall. Invitations have been extended to regional institutions of higher education to learn how Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, and Winona State University are using Tegrity. All three institutions will be discussing their deployment strategies, the impact that it had on student populations, and best practices for other institutions considering lecture capture.

Three from Saint Mary’s graduate from Buttimer

Twelve people participated in the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies from June 27-July 9, at Saint Mary’s College of California. Finishing up their third and final summer were Mary Thole, coordinator of student services - SGPP; Tim Gossen, dean of students for the College; and Linka Holey, associate vice president/academic dean - SGPP. The Institute provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Lasallian charism through in-depth study of John Baptist de La Salle’s personal journey and the Lasallian spirituality and pedagogy.

SMU alums, staff attend Young Lasallian Gathering

A “Young Lasallian Gathering” was held June 20-26 in Memphis at Christian Brothers University. The gathering was for professional young Lasallians from various ministries throughout the region. Young Lasallians are men and women, Brothers and Sisters, married couples, and single adults ages 22 to 35 who recognize they are a vital group that impact the world-wide Lasallian mission.

The weeklong conference focused on the theme, “to see, to judge, and to act.” This was the first of a series of gatherings that will occur throughout every region in the Institute over the next several years. A total of 40 Lasallians participated including Tim Gossen ’01, M‘06 (dean of students) and Ashley Gossen ‘05 (assistant volleyball coach), Sarah (Bellingham) Laitinen ‘07, Adam Runge ’10, Tina Bonacci (current Ed.D. student) and Brothers Frank Carr (SMU Board of Trustees), Pat Conway (SMU Board of Trustees), Larry Schatz, and Tony Elfering (postulant).

For more information, go to http://www.cbmidwest.org/districtnews/?cat=10.

SMU hosts Lasallian Youth Gathering July 11-16

The Midwest District Lasallian Youth Gathering, “Together in Faith ... Service to Others," was held July 11-16 at Saint Mary’s.

A total of 175 students participated at the gathering, including current high school students from Lasallian high schools in the Midwest District. The gathering focuses on the Lasallian Youth tenets of faith, service and community — and the students engaged in a week of activities focused on these themes.

Saint Mary’s helps sponsor Mid West Music Fest

The first Mid West Music Fest, scheduled for July 30-31, will bring together more than 50 bands and musical acts at various venues around Winona to raise funds for three local non-profit organizations: Winona SEMCAC Head Start, Winona Fine Arts Commission and Winona360.

Saint Mary’s is proud to support SMU alumni by sponsoring Koo Koo Kanga Roo’s performance in the Fest. Also on the roster is Swing Inc., which features Eric Heukeshoven and Dr. John Paulson from the Music Department; incoming freshman Charlotte Deranek (daughter of Suzanne Deranek in Admissions); and The Wet Bandits, which features Adam Stasica from the Office of Admission.

As part of efforts to raise money for playground development at SEMCAC Head Start, a portion of the festival at the Lake Park Bandshell will cater specifically to children and families. There will be live music and entertainment as well as hands-on activities for children. SMU alum Emerald Hulsing will be presenting a workshop as part of the event.

A two-day all-access pass is $20 and up to two children under the age of 10 are permitted with each all-access pass. Admission for individual shows will range from $5 to $10 at the door.

For more information, go to www.midwestmusicfest.org.

‘Let’s Do Ice Cream’ raises $153; only one event left

The last “Let’s Do Ice Cream” — hosted by the Volunteer Committee — will be Aug. 12 with rootbeer floats. Money raised will be used for scholarships for Christ the Teacher Institute for Education in Nairobi. The July Let’s do Ice Cream raised $153.

Trail Scamper set for July 31

The cross country teams will be hosting the sixth annual public SMU Trail Scamper on Saturday, July 31. The 4-mile run/walk is slated to begin at 9 a.m. on the trails.

Over the past five years, the Cardinal cross country teams have put on the SMU Trail Scamper as a fund-raising effort for their athletic programs.

The cost is $20. T-shirts will be presented to all participants, with awards being given to the top overall male and female competitors, as well as the top three finishers (male and female) in each age category. For more information, go to www.saintmaryssports.com.

Tournament of Hope basketball fundraiser nears

Saint Mary’s is helping to sponsor the Tournament of Home basketball fundraiser Saturday, July 24. The event will include a 3-on-3 tournament, 3-point shootout and free-throw contest plus music, food, and face painting. All donations will go to the Red Cross Disaster relief program.

The tournament, which will be run 3 to 7 p.m., will be held at the East End Recreation Center, 210 E. Zumbro St.

Participants of all ages are invited and asked to bring one non-perishable food item. Participation is $75 per team for the 3-on-3, with a maximum of four people per team. Individual registration is $20 per person. The 3-point shootout is $5 per person, and the free throw contest is $5 per person.

Participants can register online at http://tournamentofhope.eventbrite.com.

For more information, contact Tory Johnson at tjohnson@hbci.com or Eldridge McClatchey at exmccl01@smumn.edu.

Employee changes

New
• SooJin Pate, July 26, Twin Cities -Writing Center consultant/Management faculty
• Craig Sundberg, July 26, Twin Cities - program director, M.A. in Ed. Leadership
• Brandi DeFries, July 19, director of Admission
• Jennifer Schmidt, July 17, graduate assistant hall director
• Stephen Craig, July 17, graduate assistant hall director
• Marc Hartmann, July 17, graduate assistant hall director
• Cory Hanson, July 14, associate director, M.A. in Literacy Education
• Rebecca Ganzel, July 6, Twin Cities - Technical Services librarian
• Donald St. Dennis, July 6, executive director, External Affairs, SGPP
• Laura Oanes, July 6, director of Fitzgerald Library
• Dennis Gallagher, July 1, dean of Campus Ministry
• Michael Komp, June 28, GSS - Natural Resource specialist
• Stephen Swanson, June 1, Twin Cities - interlibrary loan coordinator

Leaving
• Brigitte Mussack, July 30, Twin Cities - Writing Center consultant
• Jason Richter, June 30, assistant dean of students

Whelan and May show work in FASEM Exhibition

John Whelan and Monta May are exhibiting work at the 2nd annual Fine Artists of Southeast Minnesota (FASEM) Exhibition — a juried, regional, professional visual art show that will run through July 29 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries at Saint Mary’s and in the Paul Watkins Gallery on the Winona State University campus.

River Arts Alliance partners to present workshop

The River Arts Alliance partners will present a day-long workshop titled “Winona’s Creative Potential: A Workshop to Examine Creative Community Building Strategies for Winona with Tom Borrup” Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Performance Center.

The event, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., will address the questions, “How does the new creative or knowledge economy impact Winona?” and “Does the city have assets that position it for success?”

Guest speaker Borrup will present a “creative community building strategies” process, which will include identifying Winona’s cultural assets, recognized and hidden. During a working lunch, participants will answer questions posed during the morning’s presentation. A synopsis of the lunchtime conversations will then suggest action steps for the community.

Borrup has been a leader and innovator in non-profit community and cultural work for more than 25 years. His work explores the intersections between culture, community building, and economic development. He consults with foundations, nonprofits and public agencies across the U.S. in strategic planning and program evaluation. Borrup has written articles for publications in the arts, city planning and philanthropy. His book, The Creative Community Builders’ Handbook, was released in July 2006, by Fieldstone Alliance (formerly Wilder Publishing). It tracks communities that have transformed their economic, social, and physical infrastructures through the arts, and includes a step-by-step planning guide.

More information about Borrup is available at: http://communityandculture.com.

The workshop is free to community members but registration is required by July 30 through the SMU Performance Center Box Office, Ext. 1715. An optional chicken, tuna, or veggie wrap boxed lunch is available for $13 but must be pre-purchased by July 30 through the box office.

Support for this day-long workshop is provided by the Saint Mary’s School of the Arts, The City of Winona Fine Arts Commission (pending), and (SEMAC) Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council in cooperation with the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc. through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

Conservatory’s summer dance showcase scheduled for Friday

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present a dance showcase at 7 p.m. Friday, July 23, at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre, 1164 West 10th St.

The showcase, which is free and open to the public, features works that the students from the MCA Summer Intensive program have learned in the three-week dance camp. A variety of dance forms will be presented, including classical and contemporary ballet, jazz, flamenco and modern dance. The works were choreographed by MCA guest artists Deborah Elias, Allen Fields, Dustyn Martincich, Stephanie Milling, Jeffrey Peterson and Tammy Schmidt.

In addition to learning showcase pieces, students have been participating in comprehensive dance training, including technique and theory classes. Class studies have included ballet, pointe, men’s class, variations, pas de deux, repertory, jazz, hip hop, rhythm tap, modern, musical theatre dance, pilates, yoga, water aerobics, acting for the dancer, choreography and improvisation.

The intermediate and advanced students from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, ranging in age from 12 to 22, were selected for the program by audition.

For more information about the Summer Intensive Showcase or future MCA program offerings, call Ext. 5500 or visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

Benefit walk for Bronk’s grandson is Aug. 7

Leon Bronk’s (Maintenance) grandson Cole has been diagnosed with leukemia. Cole is 7 years old. A walk for Cole will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Jaycee Pavilion at Lake Park; all proceeds will help with his medical expenses.

The luminary walk for the American Cancer Society will be held Friday, Sept. 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Jaycee Pavilion. If you sponsor Cole, you will receive a T-shirt for $15 or sponsor a luminary for Cole for $5 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Checks are payable to “Cole’s Medical Fund and can be sent to Diane Spalding, 23297 Garvin Heights Rd., Winona, MN 55987

Forms for the walks can be picked up at the Maintenance Department.

Sympathy to Peterson, Auman families

Reynold (Ray) Sienkiewicz, father of Suzanne Peterson, director of M.Ed. Program, and grandfather of Brittany Peterson ’10, died Monday, July 19.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Suzanne and Brian Peterson, 1701 Sunrise Court, Burnsville, MN 55306.

Marian Jean Grossman, mother of Jean Auman, Business Office, and grandmother of Jill Auman ’01, died Tuesday, July 13.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Jean at P.O. Box 278, Cochrane, WI 54622 or Campus Box #8.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to these families.