Thursday, October 31, 2013

Panel to discuss human trafficking in Minnesota

Human trafficking occurs in every Minnesota county, and the Twin Cities are one of the 15 largest trafficking centers in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Nov. 13, a panel of experts from throughout the state will gather at Saint Mary’s University’s Winona campus to discuss “Sold: Human Trafficking in Minnesota and Beyond” including:

•    global aspects of trafficking;

•    human rights, especially women’s and children’s issues;

•    impact on rural and urban Minnesota;

•    how to talk about the issue; and

•    initiatives underway to combat trafficking.

Panelists will include Dennis Cusick, Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute; Sister Marlys Jax, Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights; Michele Garnett McKenzie, Advocates for Human Rights; and Grant Snyder, Minneapolis Police Department. The moderator will be Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the Under-Told Stories Project at Saint Mary’s University and a correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

The event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. The public is invited, and refreshments will be provided. Register online at www.smumn.edu/SOLD.

The same event will be held on SMU’s Twin Cities campus Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s University Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis.

This event is made possible by the Under-Told Stories Project as seen on the PBS NewsHour, and is sponsored by the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Kirk, Leung return from music recruiting efforts

Dr. Ned Kirk and Dr. David Leung have made several fall recruiting trips, including one to Bogota, Colombia Oct. 12-19, where they conducted master classes and presented a professional duo recital at the National Museum in Bogota. They met with music faculty of Fundacion Universitaria Juan N. Corpus.

They also met with San Miguel, La Salle High School and Los Pinos students.

Joined by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the three of them recently met with students and teachers at Cotter High School, where they performed, promoted the music department and conducted a question-and-answer period.

Kirk, Leung pair for faculty recital Nov. 10

SMU Department of Music faculty Dr. Ned Kirk and Dr. David Leung will present a faculty duo recital at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

Dr. Kirk, on piano, and Dr. Leung, on violin, will present Schubert’s “Rondo Brilliant in B minor,” Beethoven’s “Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor; “Diamond’s “Canticle and Perpetual Motion,” and Franck’s “Violin Sonata in A major.”

The event, free and open to the public, will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Heukeshoven, Haaland to debut music, poetry selections

A selection of duets for flute will, for the first time, be presented with poems written and read by their author at the La Crosse New Music Festival’s finale concert on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Annett Recital Hall on the University of Wisconsin’s La Crosse campus.

Saint Mary’s University assistant professor of music A. Eric Heukeshoven first conceived his “24 Duets for Two Flutes” as study materials for students of flutist Janet Heukeshoven when the couple was first married in 1979. In 2013, Heukeshoven presented a challenge to his friend Ted Haaland:  to create an introductory poem inspired by each of the 24 duets. In less than a week, Haaland responded with a complete set of poems to match the music. The poems complement the music, ranging from witty and clever to extremely personal and thought-provoking. The set presented at the New Music Festival will present the wide variety of these words and music.

Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, professor of music at SMU, and Amanda Moburg, band director at Cotter Junior High School, will perform eight of the duets with Haaland introducing each with his selection of verse. The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

For more information, contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at eheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 7292.

Halloween Fun Night draws more than 800

Students assisted trick-or-treaters in playing games.
Dan Bucknam and his family were dressed for the occasion
Pint-sized ghouls, princesses and superheros covered the campus Monday night as more than 800 people participated in Saint Mary’s Halloween Fun Night. This free, safe and fun event was sponsored by the Office of Residence life. Thanks go to the many volunteers who made the event such a success. For more photos, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Alumnus returns to SMU for exhibit titled ‘Excessibility’

Las Vegas artist and 1994 Saint Mary’s alumnus Todd VonBastiaans — along with friend and colleague Bryan McCarthy — are curating the Saint Mary’s University exhibit, “Excessibility.”

The show, which depicts luxury and celebrity accessibility is subtitled, “Access 2 Excess” and features works from 1939 to 2013, including Banksy, Ed Ruscha, Sol Lewitt and Andy Warhol. VonBastiaans and McCarthy are also displaying their new pancake pillows.

“Excessibility” will run through Nov. 10 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 show is free and open to the public.

Development, Alumni Relations wins costume contest

The Centennial zombies brought home the traveling trophy for the employee costume contest.
Despite a ghoulishly close contest, Development and Alumni Relations brought home the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy and have chosen to direct their $500 winnings to SMU scholarships. It was a frightfully fierce competition.

This was the SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let’s Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser, and a total of $332 was raised. The delicious lunch was provided by the Student Success Center and I.T. For more photos, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Lasallian Day of Service sends alumni into their communities

Alumni at Feed my Starving Children
Alumni, students and staff at the CSTea House
Saint Mary's University alumni across the country participated in the fifth annual Lasallian Day of Service on Oct. 26. Sponsored by the Alumni Association, this was a day for alums to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others.

In Winona, a group of alums and staff helped clear out and organize the basement of the CSTea House on the campus of the former College of Saint Teresa. The historic building is home to the CST Alumnae Association. In the Twin Cities, alums and staff helped at five locations, including food package preparation at the Second Harvest and Feed My Starving Children food shelves.

Other alumni service sites were active in the Chicago, Saint Louis and Denver areas, and Milwaukee is this weekend. In all, over 200 alums and friends participated, a 100 percent increase from 2012.

Blue Angel begins tonight

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel    2013. This year’s performances are tonight, Friday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 and 10 p.m. Faculty and staff may receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice by contacting Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu.

Lawing to display work in Decorah, Winona

“Elegant Decay,”new work by Preston Lawing of the Art and Design Department, is on display at the ArtHaus Gallery in Decorah, Iowa. This exhibition moves to Winona with an opening reception Nov. 5 at the Lyon Smith Gallery, 199 E. 3rd St.

Undeclared Majors Retreat designed to assist students

Another opportunity for students to get information about choosing a major will be at the Undeclared Majors Retreat scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Hillside Hall. There is no cost to attend, and a free lunch will be provided. This event will help students wondering what they are being called to do, those who are not sure they’re in the right major, or those who wonder what major to declare. Students are asked to register by today, Oct. 3, to student success@smumn.edu, in person at 70 Griffin Hall or by calling Ext. 8737.

This event is part of iPath, a series for undecided students, hosted by the Student Success Center.

Senior Class auction Nov. 12-13

The senior class is preparing for activities such as Gaslight, the senior dance, and Senior Week. Senior Week includes various events including a picnic, a boat cruise, and a night of bowling. Each of these activities requires a significant amount of funding, which has predominantly come from the Senior Class Auction in the past. This year’s auction will be Nov. 12-13. Watch for more details and help support this great group of students.

Conservatory news


River North Dance to host ballet master class


On Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host the River North Dance Company for a ballet master class. This talented company will perform Nov. 20 as part of the Page Series.

Admission is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Register by e-mailing mca@smumn.edu, or call 453-5500.



Fight Club: Stage Combat 101

Have you ever felt the need to slap your scene partner?  We know how you feel. Violence is a part of the life we create on stage, and there isn’t always a fight choreographer to help. Actors and directors need to know how to tell a clear story with violence and how to perform it safely. In this workshop, participants will learn basic principles of unarmed stage combat that will help create simple, safe, and effective violence on stage. Dress to move.

Class is Monday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 6:30 p.m for youth ages 10 to 18 ($10) and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for those 18 and older ($1).

Fall music concert Nov. 15

On Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will hold its Fall Music Division Concert at the Figliulo Recital Hall on the Saint Mary’s University campus. The concert will showcase the jazz combos and a variety of private lesson students. The community is invited to come and support these talented young musicians.

Admission is a freewill donation, with all proceeds supporting the conservatory

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call 453-5500.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Cardinal Corner now open

The Cardinal Corner, under the management of the Saint Mary’s entrepreneurship class, is now open. The Cardinal Corner is a non-profit retail store located in the lower level of the  Toner Student Center.

Students choose products to sell in the store, garner donations from around campus, and sell items for on-campus organizations as part of a course within the entrepreneurship major. Each semester the members of the class choose a different beneficiary to receive the store’s profits.

SMU hosts Theatreworks USA with ‘Peter Pan’ Nov. 14

Audience members of all ages will enjoy a unique retelling of the classic tale “Peter Pan” as Theatreworks USA takes the Page Theatre stage Thursday, Nov. 14, at Saint Mary’s.

This Page Series offering will begin at 6:30 p.m.

A story within a story, this version of “Peter Pan” is an adapted version of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale created by John Caird and Trevor Nunn. The performance begins with a group of children in turn-of-the-century London who use their imaginations — and some props from their room — to reenact the story of Peter Pan. This story empowers children to create their own world of make-believe. As the children fly to Neverland and escape the evil Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, they recognize the importance of friendship as well as the value of being part of a family.

Theatreworks USA often visits the Page stage; last season they performed “Bunnicula.” Since their founding in 1961, they have presented more than 90 million children and their families with opportunities to enjoy their theatrical productions in 49 states and Canada.

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

Winona National Bank is also sponsoring this performance.

Vitek to speak Nov. 5

John Vitek, president and CEO of Saint Mary’s Press, will present “A Future Without Books ... and why that’s good for us” Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The event, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the President’s Room, is co-sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society, and Writing Services from the Student Success Center.

For more information, contact Carolyn Ayers at Ext. 1523 or cayers@smumn.edu.

Support SMU during ‘Give to the Max Day’

Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise millions of dollars for thousands of nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – from midnight through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 14.

Last year during Give to the Max Day, Saint Mary’s University finished fifth in the state, raising $68,561 with 318 gifts.

Help Saint Mary’s in the “Race for 1st Place” as it competes against other Minnesota colleges and universities to win prizes.

First place (the group or organization raising the most money) takes home an extra $10,000. The top 10 place finishers get an added bonus.

Additionally, 24 “Golden Tickets” ($1,000 prizes) will be given randomly every hour. One “Golden Ticket” worth $10,000 will be given at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Schools that raise the most money during each of the five power hours will also win a bonus $1,000 prize grant. Make gifts during 2 to 2:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 p.m., 6 to 6:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m. to help SMU’s odds.

Go online anytime to giveMN.org to schedule your gift for Nov. 14. Your gift can be broken into smaller amounts to increase Saint Mary’s chances of winning extra prizes.

Be a part of the excitement (and the competition). Show your Cardinal pride by making a gift on Nov. 14!

In the News

Here are just some of the ways SMU is making headlines this week:

The Winona Daily News and KTTC TV of Rochester covered our Halloween Fun Night Monday. Go to bit.ly/19SV7NM and bit.ly/19OjCM3.

The Winona Daily News ran an article about the role college tours play as potential students are choosing their future schools. Go to
http://bit.ly/17S6gv3 to read more.

Invitation to participate in veterans service Nov. 11


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 11 a.m. Nov. 11 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.