Move-in day a success

Thanks go to all students, faculty, staff, alumni board members and administration who helped students move in Saturday morning. Parents expressed much appreciation for the assistance.

Annual Twin Cities reception a success

On Sunday, Oct. 27, the Admission Office hosted a reception at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Bloomington. The event drew 25 students plus many parents. This event could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, coaches, current students, alumni and SMU parents who shared their Sunday to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to our prospective students. Thanks go to the following individuals for their efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches:  Esther Peralez, Steven McGlaun, Michelle Cullen, Alece Newbury, Pat Jackobsen, Bill Moore, Greg Moore, Rob McColl, Jeanne Minnerath, Tom Marpe, Larry Price, Brett Bodsgard, Dean Beckman, Carolyn Ayers, Melissa Luedtke, Sister Genevieve Robinson, Paul Weiner, Janet Heukeshoven, Alyson Kriz, Jayne Wobig and Tammy Vondrasek

Current undergraduate students: Christine Meeds, Moises Hernandez, Saul Hernandez and Megan Collins

Undergraduate alumni: Mike Berg, Erik Qvale, Chris Engesser, Danny Spiess, Mark Zuzek and Alex Conover

Parents of current SMU students: Mark and Janet Zuzek

The positive comments heard from the students and their parents after these events remind us that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

Thanks to State Fair volunteers

Thanks to those who volunteered to staff the Saint Mary’s booth at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 22 - Sept. 2 in St. Paul. The event is a great opportunity to connect with potential students and families, as well as alumni.

Thanks from chili cookoff

A huge thank you to everyone who came to the Feb. 1 chili cookoff.

Thanks to the Cabinet for supplying side dishes and toppings and to the Volunteer Committee for bringing desserts. Special thanks to the gourmet chili-makers: Laurie Haase, Terri Lieder, Phil Gaddis, Terrie Lueck, Melissa Gordon, Roger Peckover,  John Schollmeier, Kelly Boice, Jackie Killian, Nick Lemmer, Janet Heukeshoven, Coral Logan, Jennifer Teske and Deb Nahrgang.

The winning chilis were: first place, Jackie Killian; second place, Terrie Lueck; and third place, Roger Peckover.

A total of $330 was raised and will benefit Christ the Teacher Institute for Education in Nairobi.

Thanks from JoAnn Frahm

“I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of you who sent cards, memorials, called, attended the visitation and/or funeral, and stopped me in the hall to extend your condolences on the unexpected passing of my dad, Vernon Peterson.  The support given to me by the SMU community has been a source of comfort during this very difficult time. — JoAnn Frahm, Admissions  

Thanks for help with regional science fair

On March 2, SMU hosted the Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Dr. Debra Martin, SMU site director, would like to thank all the people that helped to make this a wonderful opportunity that allowed local middle school and high school science, math and engineering students to showcase their research. A special thank you to the IT Department for helping set up the AV equipment, to the information desk for assisting with room reservations and set-up, the librarians for use of the class rooms, the athletic department for the use of the gyms, the VPAA office for the judges' luncheon and all the teachers and students who assisted with the judging of the projects. Your help made this community event memorable.

Give to the Max Day raises $48,275 for Saint Mary’s

Give to the Max Day 2011, held Wednesday, Nov. 16, was a complete success! Saint Mary's placed 5th in the “Higher Education” rankings — raising an amazing $48,275 from 287 donors. This was nearly triple what was given during last year’s Give to the Max Day.

Nicole Schroeder, director of the Saint Mary’s Fund, would like to give a special thank you to Jennifer Teske (associate director of the Saint Mary’s Fund) for her work supporting volunteers in the Twin Cities; to Big Red for making an appearance at the Mall of America; and to Bob Fisher (young alumni & student relations associate director) for supporting students as they put on a brand new event to engage the undergraduate population in philanthropy.

University Advancement is grateful to everyone who donated, as well as everyone who shared in the excitement of the competition and helped to share the SMU spirit!

Annual Twin Cities, Chicago receptions successful

The Admission Office reports a record attendance at this year’s annual receptions for both the Twins Cities and Chicago events. The Twin Cities Reception was held on Sunday, Jan. 30, at the Airport Marriot in Bloomington with 106 students and parents attending. The Chicago reception was held on Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Oak Brook Marriott with 59 students and parents attending.

These successful events could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, coaches, current students, alumni and SMU parents who shared their Sundays to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to prospective students. The admission staff would like to thank the following individuals for their supreme efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches —Twin Cities: Tom Mans, Jim Bedtke, Joe Dulak, Dennis Gallagher, Laura Schmidt, Nikki Peters, Bill Moore, Eric Lindquist, Nick Winiecke, Rob McColl, Jeanne Minnerath, Shelly McCallum, Tom Marpe, Jaime Mueller, Rob Gordon, Valerie Edwards-Robeson, Carolyn Ayers, Jan Dimitt-Olson, Edith Galvez, Tycho DeBoer, Dean Beckman, Kevin Dennis, Partick O’Shea, Jay Mutter, Adam Stasica, Steve Bouler, Ken Stenstrup, Jayne Wobig and Tammy Vondrasek. Chicago: Rose Beal, Jim Bedtke, Steve Bouler, Carolyn Bray, Dan Bucknam, Brother Pat Conway, Dennis Gallagher, Edith Galvez, Marc Hartmann, Karen Hemker, Eric Heaukeshoven, Dave Jackson, Matt Klosky, Tricia Klosky, Randy Krainock, Roger Kugel, Mike Lester, Tennie McCabe, Ken McCullough, Larry Price, Lance Thompson, Liz Throop, Lisa Truax, Tammy Vondrasek, Peg Winters and Jayne Wobig.

Current undergraduate students — Twin Cities: Libby Baker, Danny Spiess, Coco Booker, Ryan Menden, Trish Nguyen and John Soucheray. Chicago: Joey Hall, Sarah McDonough, Kyle Garesche and Reid Smithe.

Undergraduate alumni — Twin Cities: Dave Karsnia ’00, Nate Semsch ’04, Megan Mollison ’10 and Sara Sloneker ’06. Chicago: Joe Hettinger ’81 and Mike Flynn ’87.

Parents of current SMU students — Twin Cities: James ’88 and Ann ’86 Menden and John ’74 and Kate M’07 Soucheray. Chicago: Patti McDonough, Jeff Norris ’76, and Joe and Angel Hall.

The positive comments the Admission Office hears from the students and their parents after these events is a reminder that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

Gifts for Winona a success

The Saint Mary’s University gifts for Winona program is once again nearing completion. For nine years, the SMU community has sponsored and organized this communitywide gift giving program. Many thanks to go all the generous benefactors, shoppers, organizers, wrappers and other volunteers who helped this year. Because of your support, we were able to fulfill wishes for more than 1,400 tags. Each of these tags represents an individual who received not only gifts, but also the knowledge that this community truly cares!

Relay for Life raises $20,000

The SMU Staff and Friends Relay for Life team would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s event. Thank you to all of the team members and everyone who supported the team with monetary or other donation. Thanks to all who attended, supported and walked at the event. “This is such a moving event, to see our young people organize and run an event that raised $20,000 for cancer research is amazing. The entire team would like to thank the SMU community,” said Laurie Haase, team leader.

Education honor society book drive was a success

Kappa Delta Pi, SMU’s education honor society, would like to thank everyone who participated and/or donated to their book drive. The results were outstanding and far above what organizers expected. The drive collected $166, and that money, along with the books donated, brought the grand total to 229 books! About 50 of those books will be donated to Riverway Charter School, and the remaining books will be given to Jefferson Elementary School. The generosity of the campus community in supporting literacy for underprivileged children is greatly appreciated.