University Convocation Day is Aug. 20 in Minneapolis

This year, University Convocation, Wednesday, Aug. 20, will be held on our Twin Cities campus.

The morning session will be highlighted by remarks from Brother William and our keynote speaker, Carolyn Y. Woo, Ph.D., president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.  Dr. Woo’s keynote presentation will address faith, action, and results.  Following lunch, there will be a reflection session on Dr. Woo’s presentation, and an opportunity to hear updates on the HLC re-accreditation process, branding, and the campus master plan, as well as concluding remarks from Brother William.

We expect about 350 faculty and staff members to be in attendance at University Convocation.  

A bus has been arranged. The buses will depart from the front of the Toner Student Center at 7:15 a.m.

Please RSVP to Helen Philipps at hphilipp@smumn.edu with the following information by Friday, Aug. 15:

    • Whether you will or will not attend the University Convocation.
    • Whether you will or will not travel to the Twin Cities campus by bus.
    • Whether you have a special dietary need for the luncheon.

University Convocation Day is Wednesday

University Convocation Day activities, which will kick off our 2013-2014 academic year, will be Wednesday, Aug. 21, on the Winona campus.

The morning session will be highlighted by remarks from Brother William and keynote speaker Brother Robert Bimonte, FSC. In March 2013, Brother Robert was named the president of the National Catholic Education Association, an organization that serves more than 6,500 Catholic education institutions and 150,000 Catholic educators in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, religious education programs, seminaries, and colleges and universities. Brother Robert’s keynote address will address excellent teaching and engaged student learning. The morning session will also include an introduction to the HLC re-accreditation process. Following lunch, Brother Robert will present an interactive workshop on brain-compatible learning.

Special Centennial Convocation and Mass planned for Aug. 27

The Saint Mary’s community is invited to the University Centennial Convocation and Mass of the Holy Spirit on Monday, Aug. 27. So that the entire SMU community can participate, there are no classes scheduled and there will be no rehearsals, meetings or athletic practice sessions held during these events. Colleagues from the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, as well as undergraduate and graduate students from across the university, have been invited to join us for this special Centennial celebration. The schedule for the day is as follows:

10:30 a.m. – Mass of the Holy Spirit, Saint Thomas More Chapel

Noon – Faculty/staff lunch buffet, South Gymnasium

1:45 p.m. – University Centennial Convocation; reception to follow; Gostomski Fieldhouse

Everyone is encouraged to join in celebrating this important Saint Mary’s University milestone. Some offices must remain open during this time. Staff members should clarify with their respective supervisors whether or not a particular office may be closed during Mass and Centennial Convocation festivities.

Special Centennial Convocation and Mass planned for Aug. 27

The Saint Mary’s community is invited to the University Centennial Convocation and Mass of the Holy Spirit on Monday, Aug. 27.  So that the entire SMU community can participate, there are no classes scheduled and there will be no rehearsals, meetings or athletic practice sessions held during these events.  Colleagues from the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, as well as undergraduate and graduate students from across the university, have been invited to join us for this special Centennial celebration. The schedule for the day is as follows:

10:30 a.m. – Mass of the Holy Spirit, Saint Thomas More Chapel

Noon – Faculty/staff lunch buffet, South Gymnasium

1:45 p.m. – University Centennial Convocation; reception to follow; Gostomski Fieldhouse

Everyone is encouraged you to join in celebrating this important Saint Mary’s University milestone. Some offices must remain open during this time. Staff members should clarify with their respective supervisors whether or not a particular office may be closed during Mass and Centennial Convocation festivities.

Convocation Day is Aug. 24 on Twin Cities campus

This year, University Convocation Day is Wednesday, Aug. 24, on the Twin Cities campus in the newly acquired Harrington Mansion and Saint Mary’s Event Center.

The morning session will be highlighted by remarks from Brother William and Dr. Margaret Wheatley, keynote speaker. Dr. Wheatley received her doctorate in Organizational Behavior and Change from Harvard University and a master’s in Media Ecology from New York University. She has been an organizational consultant since 1973, a global citizen since her youth and a professor in two graduate programs. She focuses on how we can accomplish our work, sustain our relationships, and willingly step forward to serve. She has written seven books and numerous articles appearing in both professional and popular journals.

In the afternoon Dr. Wheatley will have a presentation on the University Strategic Planning process and Brother William will give closing remarks.

Buses will depart at 7 a.m. from the front of the Toner Center and will leave the Twin Cities at 3 p.m.

Convocation Day is Aug. 24 on Twin Cities campus

This year, University Convocation Day is Wednesday, Aug. 24, on the Twin Cities campus in the newly acquired Harrington Mansion and Saint Mary’s Event Center.

The morning session will be highlighted by remarks from Brother William and Dr. Margaret Wheatley, keynote speaker. Dr. Wheatley received her doctorate in Organizational Behavior and Change from Harvard University and a master’s in Media Ecology from New York University. She has been an organizational consultant since 1973, a global citizen since her youth and a professor in two graduate programs. She focuses on how we can accomplish our work, sustain our relationships, and willingly step forward to serve. She has written seven books and numerous articles appearing in both professional and popular journals.

In the afternoon Dr. Wheatley will have a presentation on the University Strategic Planning process and Brother William will give closing remarks.

Buses will depart at 7 a.m. from the front of the Toner Center and will leave the Twin Cities at 3 p.m.

Convocation Day scheduled for Aug. 25

About 350 people are expected to attend University Convocation Day activities, which will kick off the 2010-2011 academic year Aug. 25 on the Winona campus.

A continental breakfast will be served from 9:15 to 9:55 a.m. in the Hall of Fame Room. The morning session, which begins at 10 a.m. in Page Theatre, will be highlighted by remarks from Brother William and keynote speaker, Brother Donald Mouton. Brother Donald is professor of religion studies at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, and former president of the College of Santa Fe where he served from 1982 to 1987. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Catholic University of Paris. The title of Brother Donald’s address is “The Lasallian Mystique Then and Now.”

Following Mass from noon to 12:40 p.m. in Saint Thomas More Chapel and lunch from 12:40 to 1:30 p.m. in the dining room, the SMU community is asked to attend one of three sessions based on work affiliation from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Those who work in the SGPP will attend “Progress: Nature and Nurture” in Figliulo Recital Hall by Dr. Marcel Dumestre, vice president for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. College faculty and academic staff will attend “Academics at the College: Accomplishments, Interactions and Visions for the Future” by Dr. Marilyn Frost, vice president for Academic Affairs at the College, in Salvi Lecture Hall. College and university staff will attend “Together and By Association ... for What?” by Dr. Mary Fox, professor of interdisciplinary studies, in the Toner Student Center lounge.