Congratulations to Dr. Tammy Vondrasek, assistant director of financial aid and adjunct professor in the Business Department, upon completion of her doctoral work. Her dissertation is titled: “A Phenomenological Study of Maternal Influence on the Leadership Development of Women Presidents at Institutions of Higher Learning.” She received her Doctor of Education in Leadership degree on Jan. 18 in the commencement ceremony on the Twin Cities campus.
Dates for the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development summer residency are July 20-31. Forty-two students are expected to be on campus during this period.
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| Brother William with award winners |
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| Attendees enjoyed the photo booth. |
The March 9 “All-Program Reunion” on the Twin Cities Campus will mark the SMU Centennial and 30 years of graduate education. This unique evening will feature opportunities to reconnect and network with faculty and friends, learn more about Saint Mary’s, and honor distinguished alums — as well as enjoy local and international cuisine. Five SGPP alums will be honored. For more information, go to www.mysmumn.org/MarchBack.
Register now for the March 9 “All-Program Reunion” on the Twin Cities Campus. The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs is planning a once-in-a-lifetime gathering to mark the SMU Centennial and 30 years of graduate education. Everyone is welcome. Register at www.mysmumn.org/MarchBack.
A MinnPost article, posted Thursday, Oct. 11, highlights Saint Mary’s Pathways program, a new venture of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. It responds to the growing population of incoming college students attending two-year colleges who plan to transfer their credits towards a bachelor’s degree. Check out the article at www.minnpost.com/learning-curve/2012/10/pathways-program-saint-marys-helps-adults-use-array-credits-continue-educatio.
On Saturday, May 12, the Winona campus will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.
The undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors Michael Mockler, son of John and Caroline Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa, and Regina Quandt, daughter of Dan and Cathy Quandt of Minneapolis, Minn. Additionally, Dr. Richard Kowles, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology, will receive the Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit.
The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Cynthia Mueller, M.A. in Literacy Education, of Buffalo, Minn.; and Dr. Paul Rosenblum, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries, of Charleston, S.C. Additionally, Dr. Rosenblum will be presented with an Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award.
Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.
Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.
The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus hosted its commencement ceremony on April 28. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 3.
On Saturday, May 12, the Winona campus will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.
The undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors Michael Mockler, son of John and Caroline Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa, and Regina Quandt, daughter of Dan and Cathy Quandt of Minneapolis, Minn.
The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Cynthia Mueller, M.A. in Literacy Education, of Buffalo, Minn.; and Dr. Paul Rosenblum, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries, of Charleston, S.C. Additionally, Dr. Rosenblum will be presented with an Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award.
Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.
Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.
The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus will host its commencement ceremony on April 28. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 3.
Cheyanne Boddicker, currently on campus in her second year of study with the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program, will be leaving the day after the 2011 campus residency for Dover, England. In early August, she will attempt to swim the English Channel in an effort to raise funds and awareness for cancer research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
It is a 19-nautical-mile swim, but with unforeseen weather and current patterns, the swim could end up being 22-30 miles. It could take 12 or more hours to complete.
The campaign is called “Crossing for a Cure” and as a part of this campaign, she is currently doing a mini-project called “The Union Hawk Project,” in which donors sign the name of a loved one who has fought cancer to a U of I Hawkeye flag, which will be on the boat that accompanies Cheyanne across the channel.
For more information, go to www.crossingforacure.com and “like” the Crossing for a Cure Facebook page.
Creativity, innovation and a spirit of educational entrepreneurship are hallmarks of Saint Mary’s Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs. A new award being given for the first time this year honors Brother Louis DeThomasis, chancellor, and recognizes the contribution of employees who reflect the principles his life exemplifies. Dr. Christina Huck, program director of the Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services, is the first recipient of the Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC, Award. Dr. Huck will receive her award at the Twin Cities campus awards reception in Minneapolis on April 6.
Don St. Dennis is the new executive director for external affairs for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. St. Dennis has been a member of the adjunct faculty of the Master’s in Business Administration and comes to his new position with extensive background in marketing and communications. St. Dennis has worked on numerous corporate marketing and branding campaigns, with foundations in building partnerships with academic institutions, and with Catholic and Lasallian institutions in fundraising and marketing.
The executive director for external affairs is charged with the responsibility for increasing visibility and providing dynamic and creative outreach to the university’s friends and constituencies. In addition, the executive director will focus on fostering partnerships and leading a strong fundraising development initiative with SGPP alums, SGPP Advisory Board members, friends of SGPP, and individuals, corporations, and institutions within the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area.
A welcome for Marcel Dumestre, Ed.D., the new vice president for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Friday, June 25, in Mother Teresa Hall on the Twin Cities campus. The event will be connected by live video feed with Computer Lab 23 in the Hendrickson Center in Winona. Dr. Dumestre has returned from Rome and is looking forward to meeting the staff of SGPP and colleagues on the Winona campus.
Staff members are invited to stop by and welcome him. Refreshments will be served at both locations.
More than 150 students visited SGPP information tables during this year’s Go Red to Get Ahead day, and 77 of these requested more information on graduate programs. Undergraduate faculty and staff who attended faculty and staff sessions presented by Gena Bilden and Rebecca Hopkins provided good feedback, and event organizers hope more undergraduate faculty and staff can attend these sessions in the future.
SGPP program directors visited with many eager students in classes and were pleased with the questions and excitement these students had.
SMU’s Schools of & Professional Programs (SGPP) will hold an all-day campus-wide event
to increase awareness of over 50 graduate and professional programs offered in Winona, Minneapolis, Rochester, Apple Valley, Minnetonka, Greater Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The event, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, offers students the opportunity to:
• explore the benefits of continuing their education at SMU;
• learn about SMU’s graduate and bachelor completion programs;
• learn how to achieve a master’s degree while working in the field; and
• Win Target gift cards, iTunes gift cards and SMU gear.
Winona campus faculty and staff are invited to a morning session from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Presidents Room. Refreshments will be provided.
An afternoon brown bag session will be held noon to 1 p.m. in the Presidents Room. Dessert will be served.
For more information, call (612) 728-5100 or (866) 437-2788.
Alumni of the doctoral program in leadership (Ed.D.) are invited to attend the sixth annual Ed.D. Research Symposium. The accomplishments of recent graduates will be highlighted, allowing current students to receive valuable feedback from their peers and providing an opportunity for Saint Mary’s students to share their accomplishments with a wider professional audience.
The symposium is planned for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in LaSalle Hall at the Twin Cities campus.
For more information, contact Britt Bakken at (612) 728-5127 or bbakken@smumn.edu.
On Nov. 3, staff from the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs will be available to meet with students, faculty and staff of the Winona campus to learn more about the graduate program opportunities that Saint Mary’s has to offer.
With locations in the Twin Cities, Apple Valley, Rochester, Minnetonka, and Winona, getting a masters degree can be a convenient next step for future alums. Classes are offered with flexible evening schedules so that work and school are both options for those who wish to continue their education. A raffle signup will be available all day.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Toner Student Center, as well as in various classrooms. Faculty information sessions will be held in Saint Mary’s Hall. Watch for more specific information.
Alumni of the doctoral program in leadership (Ed.D.) are invited to attend the sixth annual Ed.D. Research Symposium. The accomplishments of recent graduates will be highlighted, allowing current students to receive valuable feedback from their peers and providing an opportunity for Saint Mary’s students to share their accomplishments with a wider professional audience.
The symposium is planned for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in LaSalle Hall at the Twin Cities campus.
For more information, contact Britt Bakken at (612) 728-5127 or bbakken@smumn.edu.
Alumni of the doctoral program in leadership (Ed.D.) are invited to attend the sixth annual Ed.D. Research Symposium. The accomplishments of recent graduates will be highlighted, allowing current students to receive valuable feedback from their peers and providing an opportunity for Saint Mary’s students to share their accomplishments with a wider professional audience.
The symposium is planned for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in LaSalle Hall at the Twin Cities campus.
For more information, contact Britt Bakken at (612) 728-5127 or bbakken@smumn.edu.
Alumni of the Doctoral Program in Leadership (Ed.D.) are invited to attend the sixth annual Ed.D. Research Symposium. The accomplishments of recent graduates will be highlighted, allowing current students to receive valuable feedback from their peers and providing an opportunity for Saint Mary’s students to share their accomplishments with a wider professional audience.
The symposium is planned for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in LaSalle Hall at the Twin Cities campus.
For more information, contact Britt Bakken at (612) 728-5127 or bbakken@smumn.edu.