SMU invited to WSU ‘Sustainable Futures’ retreat

The Winona State University Sustainability Committee will host a faculty and staff retreat as part of the 2014-2015 university theme “Sustainable Futures” from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Winona Arts Center, 228 East Fifth St.

Keynote speaker Nate Hagens, former president of Sanctuary asset management and vice president at the Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers, is a nationally known speaker on resource depletion and biophysical economics.

An informal dinner and facilitated discussion will follow the keynote address.

The retreat is to spur curricular development, foster interdisciplinary projects and encourage a community response to the multiplying crises of the coming decades.

The retreat is open to all faculty and staff of Winona State and Saint Mary’s University.

For more information or to register, contact James Armstrong at JArmstrong@winona.edu.

SMU hosts sustainability forums

Student Life will once again hold a series of forums this semester on issues related to sustainability. The forums are intended to provide interested students, staff and faculty with the opportunity to learn more about the broad concepts of sustainability, discuss these issues as they relate to our daily lives both on and off campus, and then identify actions to contribute toward a more sustainable future.

The series includes:

• “Food, Compost and Recycling” — Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

It has been said that “Food goes to the heart of civilization.” Topics for dialogue will include: Food and nutrition security, famine, waste, organic food, composting, fair-trade, “eat local,” community gardens, “foodies,” carbon-free diet, etc. We are what we eat, so come and share your point of view.

• “Water” — Tuesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Toner Student Center Lounge

If today the issue is oil, then tomorrow the issue will be water. Whether gathered in your reusable container, flowing down the Mississippi River, pumped from the ground, or falling from the sky, water is at the core of all life on earth and we can’t take it for granted anymore. Come and dialogue with us about water!

SMU hosts sustainability forums

Student Life will once again hold a series of forums this semester on issues related to sustainability. The forums are intended to provide interested students, staff and faculty with the opportunity to learn more about the broad concepts of sustainability, discuss these issues as they relate to our daily lives both on and off campus, and then identify actions to contribute toward a more sustainable future.
The series includes:

• “Sustainability & Catholic Higher Education” — Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

How and why should we (as members of a Catholic and Lasallian community) become better stewards of God’s creation and champions for environmental justice? This forum features Chris McClead, co-director of Campus Ministry.

• “Food, Compost and Recycling” — Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

It has been said that “Food goes to the heart of civilization.” Topics for dialogue will include: Food and nutrition security, famine, waste, organic food, composting, fair-trade, “eat local,” community gardens, “foodies,” carbon-free diet, etc. We are what we eat, so come and share your point of view.

• “Water” — Tuesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Toner Student Center Lounge

If today the issue is oil, then tomorrow the issue will be water. Whether gathered in your reusable container, flowing down the Mississippi River, pumped from the ground, or falling from the sky, water is at the core of all life on earth and we can’t take it for granted anymore. Come and dialogue with us about water!

SMU hosts sustainability forums

As in past years, Student Life will once again be holding a series of forums this semester on issues related to sustainability. The forums are intended to provide interested students, staff and faculty with the opportunity to learn more about the broad concepts of sustainability, discuss these issues as they relate to our daily lives both on and off campus, and then identify actions that we can all take away to contribute toward a more sustainable future.

The series includes:

• “Sustainability, Leadership & the Human Spirit” — Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

Sustainability is a concept with many potential meanings. To some, it is limited to issues of environmental concern. This forum will explore how we look into a sustainable future by engaging the environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects of sustainability. Finally, we hope to pose the question, “How do we become more fully human?” This forum features Dr. Scott Sorvaag, dean of education.

• “Sustainability & Catholic Higher Education” — Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

How and why should we (as members of a Catholic and Lasallian community) become better stewards of God’s creation and champions for environmental justice? This forum features Chris McClead, co-director of Campus Ministry.

• “Food, Compost and Recycling” — Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

It has been said that “Food goes to the heart of civilization.” Topics for dialogue will include: Food and nutrition security, famine, waste, organic food, composting, fair-trade, “eat local,” community gardens, “foodies,” carbon-free diet, etc. We are what we eat, so come and share your point of view.

• “Water” — Tuesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Toner Student Center Lounge

If today the issue is oil, then tomorrow the issue will be water. Whether gathered in your reusable container, flowing down the Mississippi River, pumped from the ground, or falling from the sky, water is at the core of all life on earth and we can’t take it for granted anymore. Come and dialogue with us about water!

Last presentation of series on sustainability April 12

The Saint Mary’s Green Team is presenting the last of its five-part series on sustainability.

On Monday, April 12, Dr. Tom Marpe, Chris Kendall and Andy Robertson will lead a discussion on “Green Economy” — how climate change impacts the way we do business including green purchasing, marketing strategies, and new careers related to sustainability. Everyone is invited at 7:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center lounge.

SMU Green Team presents 5-part series on sustainability

The Saint Mary’s Green Team is presenting a five-part series on sustainability.

The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will be led by faculty Dr. Joe Tadie, Dr. Joyce Altobelli and Dr. Jeff Amundson. They will lead a discussion on how small, daily changes may have the greatest impact on lowering energy consumption.

On Wednesday, March 17, the topic will be “Food.” Mary Gleich, Curt Coshenet, Chris Kendall and Chris McClead will lead a discussion on how food affects and is affected by climate change, including locally grown foods, composting, gardening, farming, Fair Trade, starvation, and other topics.

On Monday, April 23, Dr. Tom Marpe, Chris Kendall and Andy Robertson will lead a discussion on “Green Economy” — how climate change impacts the way we do business including green purchasing, marketing strategies, and new careers related to sustainability.

Everyone is invited to join the discussions on how Saint Mary’s is responding to climate change issues — and how you can help. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center lounge.

SMU Green Team presents 5-part series on sustainability

The Saint Mary’s Green Team is presenting a five-part series on sustainability.

The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will be led by faculty Dr. Joe Tadie, Dr. Joyce Altobelli and Dr. Jeff Amundson. They will lead a discussion on how small, daily changes may have the greatest impact on lowering energy consumption.

On Wednesday, March 17, the topic will be “Food.” Mary Gleich, Curt Coshenet, Chris Kendall and Chris McClead will lead a discussion on how food affects and is affected by climate change, including locally grown foods, composting, gardening, farming, Fair Trade, starvation, and other topics.

On Monday, April 23, Dr. Tom Marpe, Chris Kendall and Andy Robertson will lead a discussion on “Green Economy” — how climate change impacts the way we do business including green purchasing, marketing strategies, and new careers related to sustainability.

Everyone is invited to join the discussions on how Saint Mary’s is responding to climate change issues — and how you can help. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center lounge.

SMU staff, students attend sustainability conference

Jason Richter, assistant dean for Leadership, Service and Activities; Andy McLees, associate Resident Life director; Mary Gleich, Student Senate president; Brenda Welscher, Student Senate vice president for Campus Life; and Chris Kendall, vice president for Student Development;attended a conference at the University of Notre Dame titled, “Renewing the Campus, Sustainability and the Catholic University” on Oct. 9-11.

Forty Catholic colleges and universities sent 280 representatives to the three-day conference.

The conference addressed a multiplicity of approaches to environmental issues at Catholic institutions of higher learning including those of theologians, scientists, sustainability practitioners, student activists and clergy. The aim of the conference was to address theological implications of climate change as well as the ethical implications viewed through the lens of Catholic Social Thought, with a focus on opportunities for Catholic universities to assume leadership roles on stewardship of creation and environmental justice both within academic and faith communities.

Students encouraged to use Dumpster Diversion

The Office of Activities Leadership and Services and the SMU Chapter of Habitat for Humanity have teamed up with Habitat Restore and The Catholic Worker Houses for Dumpster Diversion.

Students can place unwanted clothing, food, appliances and furniture in their hall’s lounge, and Habitat and the Catholic Worker volunteers will come by and pick it up. All donations go to aid in the work that these organizations participate in.

For more information, contact Katie LaPlant, Ext. 6936.

Workshops to address ‘Low Carbon Diet’

This is to let you know that Sustain Winona is offering a series of workshops on how to reduce your carbon footprint, by going on a Low Carbon Diet. Carbon is a by-product of human activities like car and air travel, home heating and cooling. High levels of carbon in the atmosphere are contributing to climate changes with higher temperatures and more erratic weather. The first three diet workshops are scheduled for May 3, May 17 and May 31.

Please e-mail Martha Greenwald at sustain@hbci.com if you plan to come or if you have any questions.

Saint Mary’s Flea Market starts today

A flea market is being held from 1 to 4 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Plaza. For more information, contact Jake Olzen or Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936.

High school bands ‘Rock to Stock’ Food Shelf

Shown performing are "DayWalkers" from Cotter.




Winona high school bands combined their talents to raise $1,000 to benefit the Winona Food Shelf, during a concert Saturday, April 21. Four bands from Cotter and two from WSHS performed before friends and families at the first “Rock to Stock.” Saint Mary’s University hosted the event, with the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity providing sound and lighting services.

Sandra Burke, director of Winona Volunteer Services, accepted a check from Tim Olstad, a Cotter junior who helped organize the event.

Scott and Jeff radio marathon Habitat fundraiser

For the third consecutive year, the Scott and Jeff Show (a quirky talk show hosted by two Saint Mary’s business faculty members, Scott Deml and Jeff Hefel) will do a 10-hour Habitat for Humanity Radio-a-thon.
Read more.

The unpredictable fundraising show will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 3. Additional members of the SMU community will be making guest appearances.

Callers may pledge money by dialing Ext. 1615. In 2005, the duo raised $500; the total tripled to nearly $1,500 last year; Hefel and Deml hope the donations continue to grow. The Scott and Jeff Show can be heard on SMU radio station, KSMR, 92.5-FM on the Saint Mary’s campus and 94.3-FM in Winona. Their regular show plays 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays.

Known for being “so bad they’re good,” the duo play music by Jimmy Buffett and Elton John in between their corny contests and bantering. For the radio-a-thon, the group will expand their music venue to play a variety of artists.

Currently, Scott and Jeff are looking for members of the SMU community to sign up for one- hour time slots to be spent in the booth with the stars. Contact Matt Klosky at mklosky@smumn.edu if you are interested.

SMU students sleep outside to raise awareness

Saint Mary’s University students will sleep in cardboard boxes the night of Tuesday, April 17, during the annual shak-a-thon, part of Habitat for Humanity’s Act!Speak!Build! Week April 15-20.
Read more.

Act!Speak!Build! Week is Habitat for Humanity’s national week of advocacy. Saint Mary’s Habitat group has planned a full week of activities to raise awareness about the millions of people who do not have adequate shelter to sleep.

A prayer service will be held on campus after the 9 p.m. Mass Sunday at Saint Thomas More Chapel.

On Monday, a poster painting party will be held at 8 p.m. in Room E of the Toner Student Center. Posters will feature statistics about homelessness and will be hung around campus.

The shak-a-thon will begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Plaza.

On Wednesday, a slideshow about Habitat for Humanity will be held before the 9 p.m. SAC movie.

On Thursday at 4:40 p.m., students will meet at the Info Desk to participate in the Walk to Rally with Winona State students. Participants will walk from the Winona State campus to the Winona Habitat office downtown to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing in Winona and the surrounding areas.

On Friday at 3:30 p.m., students will meet at the info desk to do a can collection fundraiser.

For more information, e-mail habitat@smumn.edu.

Faculty, staff to put on medicine show fundraiser

SMU faculty and staff and students are presenting “Queen Sheba’s Medicine Show — The World Peace and Full Belly Tour” 8 p.m. Friday, April 6, at the Winona Arts Center, 5th and Franklin streets.

The event will feature music, monologues and dance, centered around sustainable living, social justice and the foibles of globalization. Participating are faculty members Dr. Wes Miller, Dr. Eileen Daily and Dr. Joe Tadie; Monta May, Communication and Marketing office, and SMU students Sheba Hulsing and Emerald Hulsing, as well as others.

The audience are invited to make a freewill donation to either Winona Volunteer Services or Amnesty International. In lieu of a cash donation, audiences members are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents in the community.