Family Weekend Fall Frolic is Sept. 28

The public is invited to participate in the 26th Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk at Saint Mary’s University Saturday, Sept. 28.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in SMU’s Toner Student Center with the race beginning at 10 a.m. The $8 cost includes a T-shirt.

The annual event is free to SMU students, faculty and staff, but is open to the community as well. Typically close to 300 people participate; competitors of all levels (including walkers) are welcome.

Participants will enjoy the beautiful bluff trails of SMU’s Winona campus. The online registration form is available at www.smumn.edu/fallfrolic, and a complete weekend schedule is available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend runs Sept. 27-29 and includes a full slate of activities for families of students and the SMU community. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend music and theatre events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

Saint Mary’s debuts 7th Kaplan Commission Sept. 28

Larry Bitensky

A joint performance of the Saint Mary’s Concert Band, Chamber Singers and Choirs will feature the world-premiere composition, “Katanya” during a family-oriented fall concert 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Page Theatre.

“Katanya,” written by Larry Bitensky of Centre College, Danville, Ky., is a Jewish oral folk tale from Turkey that tells a variation of the familiar Tom Thumb/Thumbelina story. Bitensky will serve as the tale’s on-stage narrator during the Concert Band premiere, which includes Jewish folk songs the composer heard as a youth.

“Katanya” was commissioned by the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation, which supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s. Bitensky is SMU’s seventh Kaplan composer.

Known for music described as “extraordinarily sensitive and beautiful” and “speaking directly to the heart,” Bitensky, a composer and pianist, has been hailed for works that are satisfying for performers and communicative to audiences.

Born in 1966 in New York, and educated at Skidmore College, the New England Conservatory of Music, Ithaca College, and Cornell University, Bitensky’s musical personality is rooted in a range of influences. He often seeks to merge the complex structures and expressive range of the classical masters and the innovations of the 20th-century greats with the melodic and rhythmic invention and improvisatory flow of musical traditions from India, Indonesia, the Islamic and Jewish worlds, jazz, and the Grateful Dead. His travels as part of the Centre College study abroad program have also allowed him to explore firsthand the musical cultures of Morocco, Spain, Turkey and Bali.

Recorded on Mark Records and Sea Breeze Vista records, Bitensky’s music has been performed by numerous ensembles and at various festivals around North America, Europe and Asia. His music is published by Silly Black Dog Music.

Bitensky is an associate professor of music at Centre College. He lives in Lancaster, Ky., with his wife Kathy and his silly black dog Chloe.

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

Jazz groups open Family Weekend music performances

Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will begin another great season 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in Figliulo Recital Hall under the direction of A. Eric Heukeshoven.

Music by classic jazz composers such as Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Thelonius Monk and George Gershwin, along with contemporary arrangements will be featured in this one-hour tour de force. Junior Thomas Plante will be featured playing flugelhorn on Monk’s haunting “Round Midnight.” And sophomore Nick Novotny on tenor sax will be joined by Tom Nalli on trombone for Dave Wolpe’s swinging arrangement of “Alone Together.”

The concert is open to the public, and seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online to www.pagetheatre.org.

Students to stage drama about women and war

The Theatre and Dance Department will present a groundbreaking play about women and war Sept. 25-26 and 28-29.

In “Necessary Targets,” two American women, a Park Avenue psychiatrist and an ambitious young writer, travel to Bosnia to help women refugees confront their memories of war. Based on interviews with numerous women who survived the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, “Necessary Targets” is a timely reminder of how America struggles to define its relationship to the rest of the world. Witness the violence of dark memories and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Written by Eve Ensler, and directed by Judy Myers, “Necessary Targets” will run 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26 and 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, in the Valéncia Academy Theatre, 10th and Vila streets.

Key design positions for this production are covered by seniors including: scene design, Elyssa Mattson; costume design, Tasha Nelson; and sound design, Charlotte Deranek.

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

Cross/Purpose exhibit on display until Oct. 5

The Lillian Davis Hogan Gallery is hosting an exhibit titled Cross/Purpose, a collection of 49 works of art exploring the image, symbolism, and event of Christ’s crucifixion. Beginning with a 6th century coin, the works represent centuries of interpretation and reflection on this pivotal moment in history. Renowned artists such as George Rouault, Marc Chagall, Otto Dix and Jacques Villon are represented in the exhibit.

The collection is part of a traveling exhibition series by CIVA, Christians in the Visual Arts.

Please note that the Cross/Purpose exhibit has been extended for one week and will run through Saturday, Oct. 5.

Three added to Hall of Fame during ‘M’ Club Weekend

The SMU Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2013 including, from left: Greg (Dick ’84) Arens, Ashley (Dingels ’05) Gossen and Todd Borndale ’85 pose for a picture following the Cardinal ’M‘ Club Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony on Sept. 13 in the SMU Gym.

SMU announced its 2012-2013 award winners, including, from left: Outstanding Male Athlete Peter Borash ’13, Outstanding Female Athlete Alex Raske ’15, Female Scholar Athlete Bethany Schmidt ’14 and Male Scholar Athlete Jake Traxler ’13.

It was a memorable 2012-13 for Peter Borash ’13 and Alex Raske ’15 — and year became even more memorable Friday evening when the two were named Outstanding Male and Female Athletes during part of the Cardinal 'M' Club Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony.

Jake Traxler ’13 and Bethany Schmidt ’14, meanwhile, were named SMU's Outstanding Male and Female Scholar Athletes.

Friday’s festivities also included the induction of three new members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame, as the Cardinal 'M' Club, in association with the Alumni Office, welcomed the Class of 2013 — Greg (Dick ’84) Arens (men’s hockey), Todd Borndale ’85 (baseball) and Ashley (Dingels ’05) Gossen (volleyball/track and field).

See more details at www.smumn.edu/newsblog/1817/smus-borash-raske-traxler-schmidt-honored or for more pics, check out the games, golf outing and awards ceremony folders at www.saintmaryssports.com/galleries/.

Young Alumni Weekend draws 170 to Winona

A record number of Saint Mary’s graduates from the past decade returned to the Winona campus for Young Alumni Reunion Weekend, Sept. 13-15.

Throughout the weekend, students enjoyed a faculty and staff social, a young alumni gathering at Mulligan’s, ropes course activities, a barbecue with live music on the plaza, disc golfing and the Cardinal Dash 5K. New this year, a large Saturday evening crowd converged on Jefferson Pub & Grill, where Ali and the Scoundrels (an all young-alumni band) got alumni and students out on the dance floor.

The weekend also coincided with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving SMU alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

To see more photos from this event, go to www.smumn.edu/alumniphotos.

Page Series to bring classic fairy tales with twists to life

Young and old alike will enjoy the Griffin Theatre Company performance of “Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” Thursday, Oct. 3.

This Page Series production will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Jack has a problem. He’s successfully grown an enormous beanstalk, scaled to the top, and stolen a golden harp and gold-laying goose from the sleeping giant. Things get a bit sketchy when said giant wakes up. Find out how old, slightly warped, fairy tales come to his rescue.

Over the past 22 years, the Griffin Theatre Company of Chicago has provided a wide range of work including world and Midwest premieres of acclaimed scripts, critically lauded productions of Shakespeare and original adaptations of novels.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A “Gathering for Jack” will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the Winona Public Library Children’s Room. Enjoy some tall tales and fabulous shorts, and take a chance at winning tickets to the Oct. 3 performance.

Music Department faculty to present free recital Sunday

David Leung

Saint Mary’s music faculty members will present a free recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. The event, to be held in Figliulo Recital Hall, will include solo compositions as well as collaborative performances, including the trio of Dr. Ned Kirk (piano), Dr. David Leung (violin), and Derek Clark (cello).

The program will include a varied repertoire of works from Bach and Telemann to jazz standards. Other performers include Dr. Janet Heukeshoven (flute), Kristie Krause (oboe), Eric Heukeshoven (piano), Dr. John Paulson (saxophone), Alan Dunbar (voice), Michael Van Ryn (string bass), and Erik Floan (piano). The performance will last approximately one hour.

For additional program details, contact Janet Heukehoven at Ext. 1675 or jheukesh@smumn.edu.

Kowles to give book signing on campus Wednesday

Dr. Richard Kowles, biology professor emeritus, and author of “A Passion To Teach. Fifty-Eight Years of Humorous, Weird & Engaging Tales” will sign copies of his new book at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at McEnery Center Lounge in Fitzgerald Library.

Dr. Kowles will make comments and answer questions, followed by a book signing.  Fitzgerald Library will host the event and also provide refreshments.

Copies of the book will be made available for purchase by a representative of the SMU bookstore during this time.

Saint Mary’s students clean up river

Saint Mary’s students participated in the 33rd annual river cleanup Sept. 7 at Latsch Island. About 35 students, two faculty members and a campus minister were in attendance. The student groups were from the Biology Club and Volunteer Mentors. SMU students picked up trash including barrels, discarded railroad ties, plastic bottles, dilapidated docks, and other pollutants. 

Theatre and Dance students enjoy outing

Cindy Wang, freshman from Houston, Texas, tries cheese curds for the first time.

Freshman Joseph Lozano tees off at the Lark Toys

The Department of Theatre and Dance conducted its fifth annual Secret Rendezvous welcoming incoming majors and minors last week. The outing involved a trip to LARK Toys, where they rode the carousel, enjoyed treats and mini-golfed.

SMU remembers Sept. 11

In remembrance of the 12th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, a ceremony followed the daily Mass on campus. Members of the SMU community gathered around the Peace Pole in remembrance and in prayer. American flags were placed around the Peace Pole. 

Study abroad fair scheduled for Sept. 26

A study abroad fair will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Toner Student Center President’s Room.

Students can get information on our study abroad programs, talk to program representatives, and meet study abroad returnees. International volunteer opportunities will also be promoted.

For more information, contact Mitch Lawson, director of Study Abroad, at www.smumn.edu/studyabroad, Saint Mary’s Hall Room 136, Ext. 1447, mlawson@smumn.edu.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here are some ways Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• The Winona Daily News ran an article Sept. 15 titled “‘It’s pretty cool,’ says Stanley Cup handler”about the life of Howie Borrow who accompanies the Stanley Cup: http://bit.ly/1gEa6vR

• The Winona Daily News interviewed pianist Christopher O’Riley for an article titled “Redefining the Keys” that ran Sept. 15: http://bit.ly/1ghpGNU

• A event preview titled “Lawyers, judges to celebrate Constitution Day with panel at SMU” ran in the Sept. 17 edition of the Winona Daily News: http://bit.ly/16fitt1

Invitation to participate in veterans service

Anyone within the SMU community who has served our country is invited to e-mail your name, years of service and branch of service to alumni@smumn.edu. Everyone is invited to participate in the annual ceremony in recognition of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial. If you are interested in participating or bringing a class to this event, please also e-mail alumni@smumn.edu.

Sympathy to Moxness family

Patricia Moxness, mother of Mary Moxness (retired from the library), died Sunday, Sept. 15.

Cards of condolence my be sent to: Mary Moxness, 1079 Marion Street, Winona, Minn. 55987 or to mmoxness@smumn.edu.