Taylor Richmond benefit assists former benefit organizer

Saint Mary’s will present the 14th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 15.

The beneficiary of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — is Jason Richter.

Richter is well-known to the Saint Mary’s community as he worked from 1998 to 2010 in Student Activities and was responsible for overseeing this same benefit event. Richter, who currently lives in Davenport, Iowa, is formerly of Rollingstone, where he served with the volunteer fire department and was an active community member.

Prior to being diagnosed with multiple myeloma last summer, Richter had pain in his lower back that turned out to be a mass. This is a disease that is more commonly found in people around the age of 60; because of his young age, he has responded well to treatments. He has undergone 10 radiation sessions, as well as recent bone and stem cell transplants. On top of that, the Richter family lives an hour away from the hospital Jason is receiving treatment at in Iowa City.

Although now in remission, Richter is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This year’s proceeds will assist his family, which includes three young sons, with their medical expenses and travel costs.

The benefit has become an annual student tradition since its start in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of SMU staff member Nikki Richmond and Nick Richmond. Each year this event benefits someone in need who has ties to the SMU community. Although Taylor passed away this past October, his memory lives on at Saint Mary’s.

The dance, featuring music by the Johnny Holm Band, will be held in the gymnasium. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $30 per couple. To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact Lance Thompson at Ext. 1686. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 13-14. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room, located in the Toner Student Center. The public is welcome to bid. Donations are still needed.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Lance Thompson, Box 1528.

Chamber Singers to perform in the Twin Cities, California

The Chamber Singers will perform in Minneapolis and Columbia Heights, Minn., and in California as part of their 2014 concert tour.

The 26-voice select ensemble is directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea. Tour performances will include the following liturgies and concerts:

• Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, Saturday, March 1, Mass 5 p.m.
• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia Heights, Minn., Sunday, March 2, Mass 10 a.m., concert 3 p.m.
• San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. (alumni event)
• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, El Cajon, Calif., Wednesday, March 5, Vespers 7 p.m.
• St. Joseph Cathedral, San Diego, Calif., Saturday, March 8, Mass 5:15 p.m.
• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, El Cajon, Calif., Sunday, March 9, Mass 11 a.m., Concert 1:30 p.m.
All concerts are free and open to the public and guests are, of course, welcome at the various liturgies. Repertoire will include a cappella works by Howells, Brahms, Arcadelt, Alice Parker and Moses Hogan.

Upon their return, the Chamber Singers will present a free “Homecoming Concert” at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, 7th and Vila streets, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13.

For more information, call Ext. 1598.

Saint Mary’s to host regional science, engineering fair

The 61st annual Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Friday, Feb. 28, in the gymnasium.

The regional fair is a joint venture between SMU, Winona State University and community members, and the two colleges alternate hosting the event. Approximately 120 students from regional middle school and high schools will participate in the fair. These schools will include La Crescent Middle School, Bluffview Montessori School, Winona Middle School, Cotter Junior High and Cotter High School, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, Luck High School, Chatfield Schools, Shattuck St. Mary’s and Winona Senior High School.

The student exhibits are open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. An awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Students are chosen to advance to either the Minnesota Academy of Science or the Badger State Science fairs. One senior-level project is chosen to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

News from Nairobi

Students and guests attentively listen to Father Henry Tucholski’s presentation at the defence of his M.A. Thesis.

The examining panel: chairperson and thesis advisor Professor Laurenti Magesa (center), thesis reader Prof Douglas Waruta (right), and program director Professor Michael Kirwen (left).

By James Chege
Librarian
Maryknoll Institute of African Studies

First 2014 M.A. thesis defense at MIASMU

Father Henry Tucholski, SDB, became the first student in 2014 to defend his M.A. Thesis at the Maryknoll Institute of African Studies. His thesis, titled “A Critical Examination of Selected African Cultural Values Revelant to the Renewal of Formation Programs of the Salesians in Kenya and Tanzania” was successfully defended on Feb. 21, before a examining panel.

Father Henry had been in pastoral work in Tanzania for 17 years and was fluent in Kiswhahiil. He even threw out a few Kiswhahili proverbs during his presentation.

The thesis defense attracted  a number of Salesian guests and a host of MIASMU M.A. students as they prepare for their scheduled colloquiums in the near future. Father Tucholski began his M.A. journey at MIASMU in the fall of 2011. In April 2012, having completed his required coursework, he embarked on researching and writing his M.A. thesis. Father Henry is only the fourth student in the history of MIASMU to complete his M.A. with straight As in all six courses taken as well as an A for his M.A. manuscript and an A on his colloquium presentation.

Twenty-eight students participate in career fair

Career fair attendees included, from left: Steven Mills, Janie Maki, Scott Deur and Thomas Robaczewski.

A total of 28 students participated in the Minnesota Private College Career Fair Feb. 19 -20. The fair was attended by roughly 225 employers and 2,000 students. The two-day event is held at the Minneapolis Conference Center. The fair included a six-hour employer fair, informational panels on different careers, and interviews for various job and internship opportunities.

Next Cineclub movie is March 10

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages announces the dates for Cineclub for spring 2014. All showings will be on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the student lounge of St. Edward’s Hall. Contact Dr. Kyle Black at kblack@smumn.edu for more information.

March 10 — “The Take,” a documentary directed by Naomi Klein, takes place in suburban Buenos Aires, as 30 unemployed auto-parts workers walk into their idle factory, roll out sleeping mats and refuse to leave. All they want is to restart the silent machines. But this simple act — the take — has the power to turn the globalization debate on its head.

One of the main objectives of Cineclub is to provide an opportunity for the Saint Mary’s and Winona communities to enjoy some films in Spanish and Portuguese that may not typically be shown in local theaters. All films will have English subtitles. In addition to viewing the films, participants will be invited exchange ideas related to the films and their underlying socio-cultural contexts.

SMU hosts DeTemps Antan March 14 at Marine Art Museum

On Friday, March 14, DeTemps Antan will perform Celtic-inspired, French-steeped and Canadian-styled music as part of Saint Mary’s Off The Page series.

The trio will take the stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have been exploring and performing time-honored melodies from the stomping grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, these three virtuosos blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in traditional Quebec music. Former members of famed La Bottine Souriante, this trio presents music that will have you reveling in the music of the past, infused by their original contemporary songs.

Tickets are $18 and $16 and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Page in History event

Join members of De Temps Antan in celebration of their heritage as they discuss how they infuse traditional music with the music of today. The presentation begins at 12:05 p.m. March 14 at the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St. The event is free and open to the public.

St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture, March 13

On Thursday, March 13, IHM Seminary and the Department of Philosophy will host the 2014 St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture in Salvi Lecture Hall at 7:30 p.m. This year’s speaker is Dr. John Knasas of the Center for Thomistic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. The title of his presentation will be “Fides et Ratio, or My Life in Thomism.”  Everyone is invited.

For more information, contact Mark Barber at mbarber@smumn.edu.

Big, Little Pals go ice fishing

The Saint Mary’s Big and Little Pals Club went on a field trip to the Ike’s Family Fishing Derby on Feb. 22. Big and Little Pals is a long standing example of how Lasallian values are lived out in genuine community engagement. SMU students bundled up to ensure wax worms remained on hooks and area youth enjoyed themselves. Fish were not caught, but many good times were the catch of the day.

Chat, Chow & Web 2.0

The next Chat, Chow & Web 2.0, hosted by the Fitzgerald Library, Information Technology, and Instructional Technology, will be held noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. Faculty and staff are invited to meet in the main lounge of the McEnery Center. Lunch will be provided and RSVPs are appreciated to jspartz@smumn.edu.

“You Gotta Get Up and Try, Try, Try!” will include presentations by Nathan Lien (Chemistry) who has been trying out a flipped classroom technique, and Rose Beal (Theology) who is trying to use  Google Docs as a replacement for the ubiquitous Power Point.  Find out how it has been working for them and how it might also work for you.

H3O jazz trio fundraiser for Misato student ambassadors

The father and sons jazz trio known as “H3O” will be featured at “Jammin’ at the Well” on Sunday, March 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Wellington’s Pub & Grill (1429 Service Drive). SMU assistant professor of music Eric Heukeshoven (piano) is joined by his two sons, Hans (’14) on drums, and Max on bass.

The H3O Trio began this successful fundraiser for the Winona Area Public Schools Misato Ambassadors program in 2013 when Max Heukeshoven traveled with the group to Winona’s sister city in Japan.

There is no cover charge for the event and rumor has it that several well-known jazz musicians will stop by to sit in with the trio.

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

Chili cookoff raises $430

A total of $430 was raised for the Jamaica campus during the annual chili cookoff Feb. 21.

Our winners this year were:

1st - Janet Heukeshoven
2nd - Jackie Killian
3rd - Rachel Thomas

Thanks to all the other chili makers: Mary Kosel, Laurie Haase, Tracy Lehnertz, Scott Sorvaag, Betty Kube, Roger Peckover, Sue Shadle, Jason Spartz, Terri Lieder, Deb Martin, Terrie Lueck and Andrea Pengra.

Special thanks to this year’s judges: Christopher Vondracek, Michael DeNotto, Zachary Malvik and Derek Jackson.

The Volunteer Committee would also like to thank the President’s Cabinet for sponsoring the cookoff, and to both Chartwells/Mugby Junction and Barnes and Noble for donating gift certificates for prizes.

SMU in the news

The Winona Daily News featured SMU’s Polish students in “From Poland to SMU” Feb. 21. Read it online at http://bit.ly/1jDZKzL.

Floan to perform with National Lutheran Choir

Erik Floan (Music) will perform with the National Lutheran Choir at 7 p.m. Saturday at Central Lutheran Church, 259 W. Wabasha St.

No ‘Campus Notes’ next week

Because of break, the next “Campus Notes” is Friday, March 14; the deadline for that issue is Wednesday, March 12.

Sympathy to Smith family

Margaret Rose Smith, mother of Brother Robert Smith, vice president of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, died Saturday, Feb. 22, in St. Paul. Messages of condolence may be sent to Brother Robert at Box 28. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Smith family.