Thursday, December 6, 2012

Holiday services announced



The Patronal Feast Mass is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 7, at Saint Thomas More Chapel, and the Christmas Light Service is set for 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13,  followed by the traditional pre-finals breakfast.


Jazz, percussion groups join talents for Dec. 7 concert


The Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo I and World Drum Ensemble will combine for an evening of hot jazz to melt away the chill of the season at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Friday, Dec. 7, in Page Theatre.

Both jazz groups are directed by SMU’s new director of jazz studies, A. Eric Heukeshoven. The World Drum Ensemble is directed by Denny McGuire.

Jazz Ensemble highlights include classic big band arrangements of “Shiny Stockings” and “Secret Love,” as well as contemporary settings of “Sister Sadie” and the funk classic “Chimps on the Loose.”

Jazz Combo I will showcase their improvisation skills on such jazz hits as “Take Five” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” along with a special tribute to legendary jazz composer Thelonius Monk.

Vocalist Jessica Ingvalson will be featured on two classic jazz ballads, “Georgia on my Mind” and “When Sunny Gets Blue.” The World Drum Ensemble will join the Jazz Ensemble on Minnesota native Dean Sorenson’s  “Carneval del Sol.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors 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.

‘Lessons and Carols’ Christmas service is Dec. 8


The joyous and uplifting Christmas service of “Lessons and Carols” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8.

The beautiful service, held in the majestic Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, features the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea.

“Lessons and Carols” reflects on the Christmas story through several short readings, hymns and Christmas carols sung by the choirs and audience. Music includes familiar carols and selections by composers from the Renaissance to the present.

The Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels is located at Wabasha and Vila streets in Winona.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors 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.

Concert Band to present winter concert

The Concert Band will perform a variety of music during its winter concert 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Page Theatre.

The band will perform “Fanfare & Flourishes” by James Curnow; “Symphonic Suite” by Clifton Williams; “Canterbury Chorale” by Jan Van der Roost; “Inglesina – the Little English Girl” by Davide Delle Cese; “Ireland: Of Legend and Lore” by Robert W. Smith; and “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson.

The concert will be followed by the traditional Christmas lobby party, which will feature a selection of holiday treats. Smaller ensembles will perform Christmas music throughout the reception.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors 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.

Chamber Orchestra to perform Dec. 9


The Chamber Orchestra will perform the “Sounds of Christmas”  7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Figliulo Recital Hall.

The orchestra is under the direction of Dr. David Leung.

The recital will feature Baroque masterpieces that are most appropriate for the Advent season including  “Christmas Concerto” by Corelli and Vivaldi’s “Winter” from his ever-popular “Four Seasons.” The breathtaking “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lauridsen, the light-hearted “Sleigh Ride” by Mozart, and the humorous “Farewell” symphony by Haydn will round out the holiday performance. A special guest, Dr. Kyle Black from the Modern and Classical Languages Department, will recite inspiring sonnets in various languages between compositions.

The concert is free and open to the public.

SMU invites audiences to 2nd performance by Trouble


Due to popular demand, vocalist Vanessa Trouble has added a second performance as part of the Saint Mary’s Off The Page series.

Now there are two opportunities for audiences to take in classic holiday tunes with a jazz twist.

As her original concert on Thursday, Dec. 20, sold out within weeks, a second concert is now planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21. Both events will be held at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr.

Saint Mary’s is proud to welcome this Winona native home for these special holiday shows. Trouble has been singing and producing shows with numerous artists for over a decade. The New York City artist has honed her vocal and performance skills all over the country and abroad, fronting various jazz ensembles in New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta, New Orleans, London, Paris, Ireland, Norway and Asia.

Tickets for the Dec. 21 show are $15 for adults or $12 for students and seniors. Call the Performance Center Box Office Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or order tickets online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Gifts for Winona helping area families in need


The Saint Mary’s Gifts For Winona Program deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 12. A tree with tags is located in the first floor of Saint Mary’s Hall. If you would like to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter, take a tag from the tree, shop for the wish list on the tag (spending about $35), and wrap the present or presents before returning them to the Business Office with the tag. This is the 11th year that Saint Mary’s has organized this community gift-giving program, and last year more than 1,600 individuals and families were served, thanks to the generosity of the SMU community and the Winona community.


All-Campus student art show runs through Dec. 15

Saint Mary’s students will display their artwork in the show “Clarity” through Dec. 15 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. The 2012 All-Campus Student Art Exhibit will feature senior art exhibitions by Nikki Farmer and Marie Fidler. The galleries — free and open to the public — will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Undergraduate art show winners announced



The 2012 Undergraduate Art Show opened Nov. 17. At the opening, prizes were awarded  to students for outstanding work. The following students won awards:

First Prize: Diana Hernandez, English with Writing Emphasis major, “Still Life in Ink,” ink drawing

Second Prize: Molly Duggan, Studio Art major, “The Snake Charmer,” oil on canvas

Third Prize: Abigail Osborne, Studio Art major, “Golden Braid,” linoleum print

Honorable Mention: Tran Nguyen, Graphic Design major, “Value Study,” charcoal

Honorable Mention: Brianna Blomquist, Graphic Design major, “The Forsaken Call,” ceramic

Basketball team invites community to bring toys for Gifts for Winona program


The men’s basketball team is partnering with the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program to collect toys on Saturday, Dec. 8.

On Dec. 8, the men’s team will play Crown College at 3 p.m. in the SMU Gym. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a variety of new toys for girls and boys, which will be distributed through Gifts for Winona.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, now in its 11th year, helps more than 1,600 people in the Winona area have happier holidays.

Three ski races scheduled

Depending on weather conditions, Saint Mary’s will host three cross-country races this winter: Dec. 16, Jan. 27 and Feb. 17. The fees will be $10 per race (includes entry and bib). Registration will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the 10K classic races will start at 11 a.m., and the skate-style races will begin at 1 p.m.

Etiquette dinner tones up social skills

The annual etiquette dinner — hosted by the Office of Career Services and Internships on Tuesday, Dec. 4  — helped students prepare for success during social situations they might encounter after college. Dr. Mary Catherine Fox, professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, offered essential etiquette tips for luncheon interviews and dining, touching on table manners, silverware savvy, napkin etiquette and social graces. Twenty-three students, including several First-Generation Initiative students, participated.

Chamber Orchestra performs at Sugar Loaf Senior Living


The SMU Chamber Orchestra and Dr. Kyle Black (narrator) went to Sugar Loaf Senior Living Nov. 29 to perform a Christmas program.

PR/Business Club tours in the Twin Cities



The Public Relations/Business Club traveled to the Twin Cities on Thursday, Nov. 15, to learn more about public relations and marketing.  Alum Tera Bollig '07 (right) spoke to the students about her role as marketing specialist for Childrens Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

The students then attended the International Association of Business Communicators’ Meet the Pros event where they heard from and visited with communications professionals from American Craft magazine and Weber Shandwick, along with a career coach. The students were accompanied by faculty advisors Malcolm Gold from the Business Department and Dean Beckman from the Mass Communication Program.

Soccer showdown brings community together


On Friday, Nov. 30, at Ochrymowycz Field, there was a showdown between two “Saint Mary’s” soccer teams, one composed of students and the other of faculty, staff and an assorted mix of players from Saint Mary’s Press, Winona State University, and Winona Senior High. The game was organized by a committee of students, faculty, and staff and was designed as a way to spread some good cheer before the onset of finals.

About 30 people turned out in spite of the cold temperatures (37 degrees). According to the best available post-game reports, the faculty/staff team pulled off a narrow 6-5 victory. Regardless of the actual result, fun was had by all and the committee is already working to replicate the event in the spring semester. Special thanks go to John Duerst (Academic Advising) for his leadership and to Chartwells for providing hot chocolate and cider.

SAC hosts Black Friday BINGO



More than 335 students participated in the Student Activities Committee’s Black Friday BINGO on Dec. 1. For a holiday twist, all the prizes were wrapped, and students had to choose one and open it in front of everyone.  The top prize was a 32” TV. All of the prizes were purchased on Black Friday.

Students learn about bird banding at Whitewater


Collin Nienhaus, Clinton Nienhaus, Kaitlyn Dickison, Amy Spitzmueller 

Shauna Stephens

On Dec. 2, six individuals from SMU banded birds as an Outdoor Leadership event at Whitewater State Park. The group assisted Greg Munson, a Rochester-area bird bander, with his educational demonstration.

Individuals learned the basic process of bird banding at a feeder, which included catching birds in a mist net, carefully affixing an aluminum band on the bird’s leg, and keeping detailed notes for research purposes. Everyone in the group successfully separated birds from the net, banded the birds and released them.

The group consisted of Collin Nienhaus, Clinton Nienhaus, Kaitlyn Dickison, Amy Spitzmueller, Shauna Stephens and Malcolm Gold (Business Department). Participants enjoyed unseasonably warm weather and handfuls of black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, and a single Downy woodpecker.  This was the second bird banding opportunity at Whitewater for SMU.

Biology, SOS clubs clean Gilmore Creek


Participating in the April 29 clean-up are, from left: Collin Nienhaus, Shauna Stevens, Clinton Nienhaus and John O’Neill.

Participating in the Nov. 29 clean up are, from left: Brittany Friedrich, Paige Nellis, Clinton Nienhaus, Danielle Patterson, Collin Nienhaus, Jimmy Boggia, and John O’Neill. Not pictured: Shauna Stephens and Peter Borash.


This article was written by Collin Nienhaus, a member of the Biology and SOS clubs.

On Nov. 29, members of Biology and SOS (Students Organizing Sustainability) clubs got a chance to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather while helping to beautify campus at the same time. Students spent an hour walking in and along Gilmore Creek from the Yon’s footpath bridge to Residencia Santiago Miller, picking up garbage along the way as part of their commitment to the Minnesota DNR’s Adopt-a-River Program.

Last semester, the Biology Club enrolled in the program, which is similar to its more well-known highway cousin. An organization makes a two-year minimum commitment to do at least one clean-up annually of a section of a stream they select. Since its inception, the Adopt-a-River program has seen 76 million pounds of trash removed from Minnesota’s waterways. On this particular afternoon, nine SMU students added over 100 pounds to that total.

The most frequently collected type of litter was beverage bottles, but the students also found soap, cardboard boxes, and even a tire. Last April, the group also gathered about 100 pounds of junk during the inaugural clean-up, including 30 feet of snow fence and large chunks of metal.

This event was just one of many ways these two clubs try to help out the local environment. Biology Club puts on “Buff the Bluff” twice a year, an event where students walk the trails through the bluffs and pick up litter. SOS Club does their part too, having recently placed recycling posters on bins around campus to help raise awareness about the recycling. Additionally, members of both clubs participate in “Make-a-Difference Day” and “Spruce Up Winona,” where students participate in a variety of volunteer activities.

This fall, members of both clubs worked with local community members by participating in the “Great Mississippi River Revival.” Aside from these activities, Biology Club, a mainstay on campus for many years, offers many other opportunities for students to get enjoyable and valuable experience in a variety of biology-related activities. SOS Club, which was started last year, hopes to work on gaining a presence on campus and informing the Saint Mary’s community about important issues concerning sustainability.

Welcome reception and African art sale is Friday

A reception for SMU’s colleagues in Nairobi, Brother Paulos Mesmer, director of Christ the Institute for Education, and Father Michael Kirwen, director of the Maryknoll Institute for African Studies, will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in the Common Room. A short presentation will begin at 2:30 p.m., and African art will be available for sale. Snacks will be provided. RSVP to Jo Nesler at jnesler@smumn.edu or Ext. 1664 by Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Christmas dinner is Dec. 18


The annual faculty and staff Christmas dinner will be Tuesday, Dec. 18. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. in the dining room, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. RSVPs are due to Campus Box 30 by Dec. 10.


Auditions approach for Fireside


Auditions for Fireside are Jan. 25-26. Shows are Feb. 8-9. Sign up outside the Phi Mu Alpha Room in the basement of Toner.


Saint Mary's athletics unveils Cardinal browser theme


The Athletic Department has teamed up with Brand Thunder to provide Cardinal enthusiasts a chance to “wear your colors” right on your computer screen.

Brand Thunder's interactive themes provide an extreme makeover of the Internet browser. They are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality.

For more information, go to www.saintmaryssports.com/news/2012/12/5/GEN_1205125458.aspx.

Last ‘Campus Notes’ of the year is next week


Look ahead on your calendars. Next Week, Dec. 14, is the last issue of “Campus Notes” for 2012. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, Dec. 12. After break, the first issue will come out Jan. 18. The deadline for this issue will be Wednesday, Jan. 16.


Thanks from JoAnn Frahm

“I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of you who sent cards, memorials, called, attended the visitation and/or funeral, and stopped me in the hall to extend your condolences on the unexpected passing of my dad, Vernon Peterson.  The support given to me by the SMU community has been a source of comfort during this very difficult time. — JoAnn Frahm, Admissions