Schild's poem named Editor's Choice

A poem of Dr. Steve Schild’s, Social Science, has been named the Editor’s Choice for November by Serengeti Press, Waterton, Ontario, Canada. The poem, titled “Armistice,” can be viewed at www.serengetipress.ca.

Knit Nights continue

The next Knit Night will be Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Common Room. Space is limited to 25 participants. Beginner lessons will start at 7:30 p.m., with intermediate and advanced knitters invited to join the group at 8 p.m. Women students, faculty, and staff are invited to join others for conversation, knitting instructions and light refreshments. The event will continue until 9:30 p.m. The cost is $5 to cover beginning materials. To sign up, call Ext. 1773 or e-mail agibson@smumn.edu or jjpaulso@smumn.edu.

Upcoming events for internships, study abroad

The study abroad deadline for Omskirk, England, is scheduled for Nov. 27. For more information, call Ext. 6695.

Volunteer Services is going to Biloxi over Thanksgiving break

Students will be helping families continue to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina during Thanksgiving break Nov. 16-26.

Jazz events

Swing Inc., which includes Eric Heukeshoven of the Music Department, will perform 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the Canadian Honker Restaurant in Rochester.

Swing Inc. will also perform 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Waterfront Restaurant in La Crosse.

The John Paulson trio will perform 8 to 11 p.m. today, Nov. 16, at the Waterfront in La Crosse.

The John Paulson with Miles Johnston Quartet performs 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Canadian Honker in Rochester.

Reminder: this week is last ‘Campus Notes’ before break

Reminder: This is the last edition of “Campus Notes” before Thanksgiving break. The next edition will be Friday, Nov. 30. Look ahead on your calendars. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Congratulations to Baker family

Jackie Baker, director of internships, and her husband Cory had a baby boy, Zachary Allen, on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Saint Mary’s community extends its congratulations to the Baker family.

Sympathy to Kulas family

Max Kulas, former Superintendent of Building and Grounds at Saint Mary’s, died Wednesday, Nov. 14. Kulas served the university from November 1955 until he retired in June 1985. In August of 2000, the power plant on campus was renamed the Kulas-Connaughty Power Plant in recognition of Max and of his successor, Roger Connaughty.

The funeral will be held Monday, Nov. 19, at Saint Anne Hospice. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Kulas family.

USA Today makes NSSE results public; SMU ranks above national average

A different kind of college assessment survey shows that Saint Mary's University students are engaged with, and learn more from, their college experience.

Saint Mary's is one of 610 colleges and universities who participated this year in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The NSSE, conducted through Indiana University, looks at how actively involved students are with their studies, professors and the campus community. Research shows that the more engaged students are, the more likely they are to learn. NSSE is becoming increasingly recognized as a more authentic indicator of college quality than traditional rankings.
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USA Today has partnered with NSSE to publish a guide in print and online to show how NSSE can enhance the college search. Of the 1,000 schools recently surveyed by NSSE, only 257 — including Saint Mary’s — agreed to make their results public. Go online to www.usatoday.com/news/education for NSSE survey stories and college data; go to www.smumn.edu/nsse for Saint Mary's results and the NSSE college guide.

“The NSSE allows colleges to understand what they do especially well, and what they can improve upon, based on comparison with data from other colleges,” said Dr. Thomas Mans, vice president for academic affairs.

Mans said NSSE results show that Saint Mary’s provides a distinctive and superior college experience compared with institutions nationally and even with other small, liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. In many important categories, SMU students’ responses were much more favorable than the comparison groups.

Freshman and senior students were asked last spring to answer 85 questions. Their responses were combined to form summary benchmark scores in the areas of academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, supportive campus environment, enriching educational experiences, and active/collaborative learning.

For freshmen, the average Saint Mary's score on four out of the five benchmarks was significantly higher than the national average. (In the category of enriching educational experiences, Saint Mary's scored slightly below the average.) For seniors, the scores on all five benchmark areas were higher than the national sample.

“The scores show that our students are engaged in activities that aid learning, by faculty with whom they interact well, in a setting that supports them,” according to Dr. Patrick Barlow, SMU director of college assessment.

Barlow noted that “while the results paint a good picture of the quality of the learning experience at Saint Mary’s, the survey also indicated some areas for further growth — specifically in the areas of freshman appreciation of and experience with diversity. The college community is looking at ways to improve this aspect of our students' learning experience.”

SMU Concert Band to present instrumental showcase

The Saint Mary’s University Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Ensembles will present an instrumental showcase at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.

The concert, performed under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will be held at Cotter High School’s Saint Cecilia Theatre.

The concert band — including the talents of various small ensembles including a brass quintet, clarinet choir, flute choir, wind ensemble, and percussion ensemble — will entertain audiences with a varied selection of music with an international flavor.
Read more... Highlights include the Irish tune “Molly on the Shore” by Grainger; “Rondeau” by Jean-Joseph Mouret; and “Madrigals for Six Flutes,” inspired by familiar folk melodies from Japan and Israel, by Samuel Adler. As the weather turns colder, audiences can warm up with the Latin rhythms of “Carnaval De Caribe” by Moses Mark Howden or enjoy the whimsical new piece, “Firefly,” By David J. Gordon, which captures the essence of dancing fireflies.

All faculty and staff may receive one free ticket by contacting the SMU Box Office.

Tickets are $6 for the general public, $4 for students and seniors and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or the Performance Center box office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour prior to the performance. For additional details, contact director Janet Heukehsoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.

SMU Page Series presents Koresh Dance Company Nov. 17

The Saint Mary’s University Page Series will host the unique and exciting Koresh Dance Company, featuring “Looking Back: Music of the ’40s & ’50s” on Saturday, Nov. 17.

The program will feature original dance pieces that break through boundaries of traditional choreography. “Looking Back: Music of the ’40s & ’50s” evokes all the romance and rebellion of the era, complete with lively jazz and swing choreography, along with a delightful cast of characters and stories. Koresh will showcase a dance experience that will excite audiences of all ages beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the SMU Performance Center’s Page Theatre.
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The dancers will perform to such well-known artists as Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and many more.

Make it dinner and a show. Pre-show dinners are provided by Chartwells Catering. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center, located next to the Performance Center. Adult dinners cost $20 and include chicken, beef, and vegetarian options, along with beverages and dessert. Bottles of wine may be purchased for an extra fee. Children’s dinners cost $12 and include mac-n-cheese or chicken fingers with sides, beverages, and dessert. Orders will be accepted up to three days prior to the event; order online or by phone.

Tickets are $22, $16 for seniors, $14 for students and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

This Page Series event is co-sponsored by the Kaplan Forum on the Jewish Experience.

‘Yerma’ staged by SMU theatre students Nov. 9-12

A young woman’s painful yearning to be a mother leads to the gradual untangling of her mind in the Department of Theatre Arts production of “Yerma” Nov. 9-12.

The dark tragedy, “Yerma,” by Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, centers on a childless young woman, trapped in a bitter and loveless marriage. Trapped too by social attitudes and conventions, Yerma is prevented from loving another man. Her internal conflict and mental instability seal her fate in a tragic climax befitting her tragic life.
Read more...

The basic themes of this compelling tale — directed by Judy Myers — resemble the themes in every woman’s life: love, passion, desperation, sexuality and marriage.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday, Nov. 9, 10 and 12. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.

Tickets for the show are $8, $6 for students and seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Next Kabara Institute panel is Nov. 15

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies will host its second event for 2007-08 on Thursday, Nov. 15, with an alumni panel from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Salvi Lecture Hall, Saint Mary's Hall Room 332. The theme of the presentation is “I Didn't Major in Business, But I Run a Business.”

Three alumni will participate and share their stories and experiences as entrepreneurs including: Brandon Darling ’01, Orbis Technology; Laurel Feddema ’83, Steppingstone Consulting, Inc.; and Donald Aleksy ’80, True Vision Enterprise. The event is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Sign up to help with SMU Gifts for Winona

Go to www.smumn.edu/giftsforwinona to volunteer for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona. This annual program assists approximately 1,500 individuals have happier holidays.The community-wide gift-giving program is a great way to get in the holiday spirit by helping those less fortunate. Volunteers are needed to help with picking up gifts from the various trees, located throughout town and bringing them to the distribution site. Volunteers are also needed to help with shopping and wrapping, as well as distribution. Check your calendars. Every person’s contribution helps to make this program a success.

Food drive scheduled for Nov. 12-15

Members of the Global Issues class will conduct a food drive Nov. 12-15. Boxes will be located in Mary's Hall and the Toner Student Center entrance. Everyone is invited to bring canned and boxed items for the Winona Food Shelf.

Employee changes announced

• Faith Seim, Nov. 12, Twin Cities Campus —Recruiter
• Janet Dunn, Nov. 1, Twin Cities Campus — Program Director, Management and Human Resource Management
• Teresa Stephens, Oct. 29, Twin Cities Campus — Receptionist
• Barbara Jean Hall, Oct. 29, Twin Cities Campus — Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator
• Richard Germundsen, Oct. 29, Twin Cities Campus — Associate Director, Ed.D.
• Mark Nichols, Oct. 22, Twin Cities Campus — Security Guard (half-time)

Junior Experience Conference promises interesting topics

The Junior Experience Conference will be held 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Toner Student Center. The event includes giveaways, food and beverages. Several informational sessions are planned including “Body as a Barometer,” “Healthy Credit,” “Can Myspace/Facebook Hurt MyFuture?” “Asleep on the Job,” “Balancing Work and Your Values” and “Internships: Tips form Past Interns.” No pre-registration is needed. The event in sponsored by Student Development, Career Services, and Internships. The keynote presentation, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the President’s Room, is titled “Body, Mind & Spirit.”

Willing to share your Thanksgiving dinner with an international student?

The International Student Center staff and students would like to solicit your generosity in hosting an international student for Thanksgiving dinner.

This will be the first Thanksgiving for many of SMU’s international students, and this is a wonderful opportunity to share an American holiday and your family traditions with them.

If you are interested in hosting an international student for dinner, contact Tessy Neves Dias at Ext. 1450 or tdias@smumn.edu.

Senior Class Silent Auction in need of items

The Senior Class is hosting the annual Silent Auction on Nov. 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Toner Center Game Room. The auction is a means for the Senior Class to fund the activities held throughout the year, specifically Senior Week.

In years prior, the Senior Silent Auction has been one of the most successful fundraisers for the senior class. The auction needs the help of SMU faculty and staff to truly make the auction a success.
Read more...In the past, donated items have included: gift certificates, gift baskets, electronics, and homemade items. Other ideas could target your talent, like guitar lessons, scrapbooking, photo shoots, poetry or other written works, personal CDs, artwork, cooking lessons, dinners, adventure sports activities, and more.

Please submit your donations to Jason Richter in Toner 8A by Friday, Nov. 16.

For more information, contact Anna Skonieczny (atskon04@smumn.edu or (815) 541-6457) or Lindsay Dickson (lrdick04@smumn.edu, (763) 232-1558).

More opportunities to help with local flood cleanups

Two more flood cleanups are scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. today, Nov. 9, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Call Katie LaPlant, Ext. 6936 if you are able to help someone locally clean up or rebuild from the August flood. Our neighbors still need our help.

Burchill recognized locally, nationally for philanthropy work

The late Tim Burchill, longtime administrator and director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. A celebration of National Philanthropy Day — at which awards will be presented — will be held Nov. 15 at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront in Saint Paul.

Tim also will be honored by the local Upper Mississippi Valley chapter of AFP, which he co-founded. The chapter named Tim the first outstanding professional fundraiser more than 15 years ago. He will be recognized on Nov. 14, at La Crosse Center ballroom.

The Winona Community Foundation will present Tim with the Founders Award on Nov. 13 during the Thanks for Giving event. As part of the award, Tim’s family will receive a $5,000 grant. The Burchills have asked that the grant be used for the SMU Philanthropy and Development program, which Tim co-founded.

Mutter to give next 'Last Lecture'

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. in Hillside, Dr. Jay Mutter, professor of psychology, will unveil a fresh look at an old adventure, volunteering, in an evening devoted to “Change Matters.”

This is part of the “Last Lecture” series, in which faculty, chosen by students, were asked to deliver what would be their “last lecture ever.”
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Whether it is important to you to solve a community problem, advance a worthy cause or to develop as a person, volunteering offers a grassroots opportunity for change. Volunteers are regular people who donate their time to help individuals, organizations and causes by personal choice. Volunteering can help you make important networking contacts, learn and develop skills, enhance your résumé, gain valuable work experience make a difference in someone’s life.

At the core of volunteering, lies an expression of concern about someone or something other than you. It’s about going the distance and putting your values and beliefs into action. Volunteering can help you to explore interests, meet new people and see lands you’ve never dreamed possible.

Knit Nights to begin again

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the popular series of Knit Nights will continue in the Common Room. Space is limited to 25 participants. Beginner lessons will start at 7:30 p.m., with intermediate and advanced knitters invited to join the group at 8 p.m. Women students, faculty, and staff are invited to join others for conversation, knitting instructions and light refreshments. The event will continue until 9:30 p.m. The cost is $5 to cover beginning materials. The next Knit Night will be Thursday, Nov. 30. To sign up, call Ext. 1773 or e-mail agibson@smumn.edu or jjpaulso@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s Chemistry Night awards announced

The Saint Mary’s University Chemistry Department has announced the award winners for the Chemistry Night events, held on Thursday, Oct. 25, and Thursday, Nov. 1. Area high school students participated in chemistry activities involving departmental instrumentation and wet chemistry under the guidance of Saint Mary’s chemistry majors.

Based on the National Chemistry Week theme of “The Many Faces of Chemistry,” the high school students were able to simulate many roles of a chemist.
Read more... They worked as environmental chemists, food chemists, nanotechnologists, film critics and artistic chemists. The high-school student teams were evaluated on their use and interpretation of experimental results. Based on those evaluations, the following awards were made:

First-place winners: Joe McMartin, Matt Schultz and Emily Kronebusch of Lewiston-Altura High School; and Luke Ward, Robert Kim and Christine Pulido of Lourdes High School in Rochester.

Second-place winners: Hannah Flatten, Joel Hanson and Tia Thompson of Winona Senior High School; and Amy Yin and Sharon Christopher of Onalaska High School.

Third-place winners: Mark Lower, Emily Monk and Mark Painter of Lourdes High School; and Maja Kanebley and Leah Wooden of LaCrescent High School.

The SMU Chemistry Department would like to congratulate these students and thank the 50 students — and their dedicated teachers — who participated in Chemistry Nights.

Benefit for Pickford planned for Nov. 19

A fundraising event will be held Monday, Nov. 19, for SMU senior Christy Pickford. The event, organized by the PR/Business Club, will feature a silent auction, live acoustic music and refreshments.

All proceeds will go to the Pickford family. On July 28, Christy was struck by a train in Winona. She remained in a coma for a month and is currently being treated at a rehabilitation center in the Twin Cities area.

Some of the items to be auctioned off include two pairs of tickets to a Minnesota Wild hockey game, gifts from Nola’s Flowers and SMU apparel. The event will be held 7 to 9 p.m. in the President’s Room. Admission is $5. The auction will conclude with the senior auction Nov. 29-30.

Upcoming events for internships, study abroad

The study abroad deadline for Aimores, Brazil, is scheduled for Nov. 12. For more information, call Ext. 6695.

Cochran facilitates workshops, displays art at Blue Heron

Last Friday (Nov. 2) Michelle Cochran, Art and Design, K-12 Reading Teacher Program, facilitated two workshops at the 2007 Fall Art Educators of Minnesota Conference, held at the Earl Brown Center in Minneapolis. The title of her presentation was “Supporting Literacy Development within the art room: with special attention to struggling readers and writers.”

The presentation included ideas she has found while doing research for Masters of Literacy Education and teaching art.

Cochran’s art is on display at the Blue Heron on Second Street. She is showcasing a series of color pencil drawings of plants native to Minnesota and Wisconsin until Dec. 31. The display is free and open to the public.

Heukeshoven publishes article in Music Education Journal

Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, Department of Music, has an article published in the fall issue of “Interval,” the journal of the Minnesota Music Educator’s Association, mmea.org, titled “Shift Happens” in Music Too. Heukeshoven discusses the importance of non-traditional school music ensembles, such as SMU’s Batucada Nossa Senhora ethnic percussion ensemble, directed by Denny McGuire.

Cochran to speak at Brown Bag series

Today, Friday, Nov. 9, Dr. Phil Cochran, Biology Department, will give a presentation titled “Lampreys, Beer Kegs, and Diminishing Returns” for the Science and Math Brown Bag series. This event will be held in Hoffman 301 at 12:30 p.m.

Jazz event calendar

The John Paulson Trio performs 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at Michael’s Restaurant, Rochester, Minn.

The John Paulson Quartet performs 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Starlight Lounge, La Crosse, Wis.

Volunteer Services is going to Biloxi over Thanksgiving break

Students will be helping families continue to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina during Thanksgiving break Nov. 16-26.

Students present, win awards at research symposium

Several SMU students gave oral presentations at the Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium in La Crosse, Wis., last Friday including:

Anna T. Skonieczny — The Effects of Demethylating and Methylating Chemicals on Mitotic Activity of Vicia faba in Different Stages of the Cell Cycle

Emily Zentgraf — Testing the Chemical Used in Teflon©, Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Mutagenicity as Determined by Using the Ames Test

Bridget M. Emmett — Response of Fish Predators to Tadpole Madtoms (Noturus gyrinus)

Stephen J. Schmitt — Use of Rock Ledge Habitat by Six-lined Racerunners on Southeast Minnesota Bluffs

Sarah J. Schroeder — Examination of the Diet of the Freshwater Drum, Aplodinotus grunniens, for Zebra Mussels, Dreissena polymorpha from the Mississippi River.

Zentgraf and Emmett were each awarded second place awards in their respective sessions. (There was a total of 17 oral presentations in two concurrent sessions.) Skonieczny and Zentgraf worked with Dr. Dick Kowles, and the others worked with Dr. Phil Cochran.

Reminder: Next week is last ‘Campus Notes’ before break

Reminder: Get your notices in by Wednesday, Nov. 14, to get them into the next “Campus Notes” on Friday Nov. 16. Because of break, there will be no ‘Campus Notes’ on Nov. 23. The next edition will be Friday, Nov. 30. Look ahead on your calendars.

Sympathy to Erdmann family

Edward “Eddie” Erdmann, husband to Laurie Hale-Erdmann (Student Services), father to Autumn Warden ’99 and brother to Linda Steinfeldt (Maintenance), died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, of cancer at his home. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Erdmann family.

Benefit for SMU faculty, staff raises over $10,000

Brother Louis and Mark Merchlewitz demonstrate how to make zucchini button canapes.






More than 20 individuals graciously served as chefs for the benefit.







“A Recipe for Relief,” held on Sunday, Oct. 28, raised more than $10,000 for SMU faculty, staff and students severely affected by the flood. Many thanks go to our musicians (including Dr. John Paulson, Eric Heukeshoven, Chris Kendall, and SMU jazz students), chefs (including Brother Louis), silent auction donators and volunteers.

Thanks also go to Mike Gostomski, SMU trustee, for providing the beer; Chartwells for providing appetizers and other goods and services; Watkins for providing spices and the demonstration booth; Pepsi for providing pop; Water Systems Co.; Davey Warner and SAC for sound; and to local stores including Discount Liquor, Third Street Liquor, Warehouse Wine & Spirit, Midtown Foods, and Fifth Street Liquor for providing the wine.

‘Yerma’ staged by SMU theatre students Nov. 9-12

A young woman’s painful yearning to be a mother leads to the gradual untangling of her mind in the Department of Theatre Arts production of “Yerma” Nov. 9-12.

The dark tragedy, “Yerma,” by Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, centers on a childless young woman, trapped in a bitter and loveless marriage. Trapped too by social attitudes and conventions, Yerma is prevented from loving another man. Her internal conflict and mental instability seal her fate in a tragic climax befitting her tragic life.
Read more...

The basic themes of this compelling tale — directed by Judy Myers — resemble the themes in every woman’s life: love, passion, desperation, sexuality and marriage.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday, Nov. 9, 10 and 12. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.

Tickets for the show are $8, $6 for students and seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Burchill recognized locally, nationally for philanthropy work

The late Tim Burchill, longtime administrator and director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. A celebration of National Philanthropy Day — at which awards will be presented — will be held Nov. 15 at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront in Saint Paul.

Each year AFP honors individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced philanthropy, their communities and the world. This will be the first time the Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy Award has been given posthumously; Tim’s wife Barb will accept the award on his behalf.
Read more...

Tim also will be honored by the local Upper Mississippi Valley chapter of AFP, which he co-founded. The chapter named Tim the first outstanding professional fundraiser more than 15 years ago. He will be recognized on Nov. 14, at La Crosse Center ballroom.

The Winona Community Foundation will present Tim with the Founders Award on Nov. 13 during the Thanks for Giving event. As part of the award, Tim’s family will receive a $5,000 grant. The Burchills have asked that the grant be used for the SMU Philanthropy and Development program, which Tim co-founded.

Cardinal swimmers taking part in ‘Hour of Power’

The Saint Mary’s swimming and diving teams will hit the pool Tuesday, Nov. 6 — but this “training session” won’t be like any other the Cardinals have taken part in this season.

SMU will be one of 11 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools — not to mention one of more than 30 collegiate teams nationwide — participating in the “Hour of Power” Relay. The relay is in honor of Carleton swimmer Ted Mullin, who died in the fall of 2006 from sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer, and all funds raised through this event will support research into the causes of sarcoma in young people at the University of Chicago.
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The “Hour of Power” Relay will kick off at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Eastern Time) and is a one-hour continuous relay. During Mullin’s days as a Knight, this was one of the team’s favorite practices, and Carleton felt it would be fitting to not only honor their former teammate, but to also raise money for cancer research.

“This is a pretty special event for us — most of our upperclassmen had competed against Ted, and we all felt that this was a great way to honor his memory,” said SMU head coach Eric Lindquist. "All of our swimming and diving athletes are going to be taking part, swimming all-out for one hour in a number of different relays that will be going on at the same time. We’re pretty excited — it should be a lot of fun.”

If anyone would like to contribute to this event, please send donations to coach Lindquist at Box 62. Checks may be made payable to Saint Mary’s University. The SMU swimming and diving team is also welcoming any interested parties to stop by the pool at 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 to cheer on the Cardinal swimmers as they take part in this special event.

Exhibit examines cultural, social forces through paintings, audio

"Samiha" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar












"Hinda" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar











Minneapolis artists Michal Sagar and Francisca de Beurges Rosenthal present a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibit titled, “Branches: A Contemporary Convivencia” through Nov. 10 at Saint Mary’s.

“Branches” will be on display in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Saint Mary’s Walk of Horror attracted large crowds

This year’s Saint Mary’s University Walk of Horror had a record turnout. An estimated 1,600 individuals braved the trails in this softball fundraiser.

Halloween Fun Night draws more than 600

More than 600 people attended this year’s Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night on Monday, Oct. 29.

Knit Nights to begin again

On Thursday, Nov. 8, the popular series of Knit Nights will begin in the Common Room. Space is limited to 25 participants. Beginner lessons will start at 7:30 p.m., with intermediate and advanced knitters invited to join the group at 8 p.m. Women students, faculty, and staff are invited to join others for conversation, knitting instructions and light refreshments. The event will continue until 9:30 p.m. The cost is $5 to cover beginning materials. Other Knit Nights are planned for Thursdays, Nov. 16 and 30. to sign up, call Ext. 1773 or e-mail agibson@smumn.edu or jjpaulso@smumn.edu.

Purchase Jeans for a Cause sticker today

Don’t forget to get your sticker today for “Jeans for Cause” at the student service windows for $5. All proceeds go to our own SMU employees who suffered loss due to the flooding.

Mathews to discuss depressive, bipolar disorders

Dr. Ruth Mathews, Ph.D., L.P., staff psychologist in the Wellness Center, will describe “Depressive and Bipolar Disorders Experienced by Children, Teens and Adults” and the impact they have on individuals, their families and the community. The importance of assessment and the roles of psychotherapy, medication management and self-help strategies in addressing these illnesses will be described. The presentation is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Toner Student Center lounge.

This workshop is cosponsored by the Wellness Center and Psychology Club, along with Project COMPASS. There is no cost for SMU students, faculty and staff with ID.

Upcoming events for internships, study abroad

A volunteer fair will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the gameroom of the Toner Student Center.

The study abroad deadline for Aimores, Brazil, is scheduled for Nov. 12. For more information, contact Jackie Baker at Ext. 6695.

Blue Angel on stage today and Saturday

The brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel 2007. This year’s performances are 8 p.m. today (Nov. 2) and 7 and 10 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 3).

You may receive a complimentary admission to the show of your choice by contacting Dr. Jeff Highland at Ext. 1459 or campus box 1.

Cochran to speak at Brown Bag series

On Friday, Nov. 9, Dr. Phil Cochran, Biology Department, will give a presentation titled “Lampreys, Beer Kegs, and Diminishing Returns” for the Science and Math Brown Bag series. This event will be held in Hoffman 301 at 12:30 p.m.

First Friday breakfast today

Don’t forget to head to Room B of the Toner Student Center this morning from 8:30-10:30 a.m. for the First Friday continental breakfast, hosted by Campus Ministry.

Jazz event calendar

Swing Inc., including Eric Heukeshoven, will perform 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at Avocado World Bistro, Rochester, Minn.

The John Paulson Trio performs 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at Michael’s Restaurant, Rochester, Minn.

The John Paulson Quartet performs 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Starlight Lounge, La Crosse, Wis.

Volunteer Services is going to Biloxi over Thanksgiving break

Students will be helping families continue to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina during Thanksgiving break Nov. 16-26. The cost of $150 includes transportation and food. Applications can be picked up in Toner Student Center’s Room 8.

Lasallian Social Justice topic of Nov. 7 luncheon

A presentation about the Lasallian Social Justice Institute is scheduled for lunch on Nov. 7.

This summer three members of the College faculty participated in the Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI) program sponsored by the Christian Brothers USA/Toronto Region. Dr. Dorothy Diehl assisted with the LSJI-Chicago experience; Ann Smith participated in LSJI-San Francisco; and Dr. Greg Gaut attended LSJI-El Paso, along with Valerie Fitzgerald from the Twin Cities campus.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, Gaut will present “From Both Sides of the Border: A Lasallian Look at the Immigration Issue.”

The Office for Mission will host the lunch in the Faculty Dining Room. The presentation will begin at 12:15 p.m., but those attending may begin arriving at 11:45 a.m. Indicate to the cashier that you are attending the Mission presentation.

Japanese events on campus

Winona welcomed a delegation from Misato (Winona’s sister city in Japan) this weekend. Saint Mary’s hosted several events including Shodo, the art of drawing unique characters; Ikebana, art formed with flowers; Kimono, a traditional Japanese dress; and Sado, a tea ceremony.


An audience that nearly filled Page Theatre watched Japanese dancers and Taiko drummers Saturday evening.

Benefit for SMU faculty, staff flood victims set for Oct. 28

A fun-filled evening of music, food and festive bidding that will raise money for the SMU faculty and staff who have suffered severe damage due to the August flood is planned for Sunday evening. Several of our own SMU community members have lost their homes and many — if not all — of their personal belongings. Come and support them!

The event, “A Recipe for Relief,” will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in the dining room. All faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university are invited to attend. Admission will be $25 or $15 for students.
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Several celebrity SMU “chefs” will be preparing a huge variety of tasty hors d’oeuvres. The master chef himself, Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis, will give out a special recipe — as well as a live (and lively!) demonstration of how to prepare it.

Beer, wine, pop and water have been graciously donated. A special Polish beer tasting will be offered as well.

Come and enjoy music by our own talented musicians. SMU student jazz combos will be joined by Eric Heukeshoven and Dr. John Paulson. Additionally, Chris Kendall will perform folk music. A silent auction will complete the evening.

Some auction items donated so far include homemade jewelry, a guided canoe trip, a dinner from Gary Diomandes, a ticket basket from the SMU box office, a large Santa basket, a Starbucks coffee basket, certificates for fresh- baked cinnamon rolls, a personal perennial garden at your home and much more!

Babysitting services will be provided at your home; contact Katie LaPlant for more information. For tickets, go to the Student Services window or contact LaPlant.

SMU community members share flood stories

This is the seventh and final story about SMU faculty and staff who have suffered major losses because of recent flooding. We hope that these stories bring to light how many people, in how many areas, were deeply affected. Please continue to keep everyone who is fighting to put their lives back together in your prayers.

• • • • • • • • • • •

David and Joyce McConville of Minnesota City, along with their daughter Kelly, suffered major damage in the bottom half of their split-level home.










Though cleanup efforts are finished, the McConvilles have yet to begin reconstruction.






Dr. Dave McConville said it isn’t easy to watch your home and your belongings set out at the curb and carried away.






Dr. Dave McConville
Professor of biology
Director of M.S.
in Geographic Information Science

Dr. Dave McConville is no stranger to water or to the river. As a career biologist and river researcher, he’s navigated his boat through all kinds of high-level waters.

But, he said, he’s never seen a more treacherous current than the morning of Aug. 19, when floodwater surrounded his Minnesota City home.
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Dave and his wife, Joyce, have lived at 289 Harry’s Lane since 1975. “It took a thousand year flood to bring us down,” he said.

The McConvilles’ home — which they share with their teenage daughter Kelly — is located at the highest level in the area, and Dave estimates it was one of the last to be affected by the flood.

The McConvilles hadn’t known it was flooding when they were awakened at 4:30 a.m. by a neighbor telling them they had better get out of their home.

“You are awakened from a dead sleep, and it’s like, ‘What? What did you say?’” Dave said.

Upon first inspection, the lower area of their split-level home looked fine. But outside, through the darkness, they noticed the high waters encroaching on their home.

Dave walked down the hill from their home to get his boat. By this time, he said, water was waist deep, and both his boat and trailer were trying to float.

In the time it took him to unhook the boat and drag it closer to the house, water on his lower level was rising as the septic overflowed.

“There was a 2-foot geyser out of the toilet on the bottom level,” he said.

Joyce thought to rescue Dave’s laptop, but, he said, that is all that was rescued at that point.

Outside Dave could hear his neighbors calling for help. He and a neighbor navigated the boat “right down the middle of the street” and helped what Dave estimates are more than 20 people who were hanging out of their windows or stranded on their porches.

He also rescued a few precious pets, some of which were more petrified of the water than others.

It was easy to see, he said, why so many people lost their foundations. “Once we would let go of a house, the current would whip the boat around into the house, and I would have to go full power against the current.

“I’ve done a lot of Mississippi River boating, and I have never experienced more treacherous current conditions,” he said.

Dave is still amazed by how quickly the water rose and also how quickly it disappeared. Many questions regarding the cause and the science of it all, still remain unanswered. “It was nature at work,” he said.

For several weeks, the McConvilles, along with friends and family, worked 20 hours a day removing items from their home, ripping up flooring and carpeting and sanitizing the lower level.

“There were two reactions,” he said. “People either stood in shock, or they did what we did and started an action plan before the flood subsided, but I’m not saying there is a right way or a wrong way. (The flood) had a very emotional impact; it’s been very stressful. Your home is the most foundational investment in your life.”

Dave estimates they cleaned out 14 inches of mess, mud, muck and septic water. The smell, McConville said, was horrible. At one point, when they thought they had finished with removal, the family removed more sheetrock after they continued to smell mold.

And, for a while, the three have had unusual sleeping conditions. Some nights, Dave and his daughter have slept on the floor because there was little space anywhere else; they piled what could be salvaged from two floors, onto one. Their lower level had contained three bedrooms, a living room, an office, a bathroom and pantry.

“We haven’t started to restore,” Dave said. “We’re putting together a financial model. It’s been hard to watch your home go from being worth however many thousands of dollars to unmarketable in a matter of seconds.”

But, Dave said, after a particularly despairing day, he began to remind himself — and took comfort from the fact — that no one he knows was killed. His family was not hurt and they still have their home.

“It’s just stuff,” he said.

Cardinals taking part in ‘Hour of Power’

The Saint Mary’s swimming and diving teams will be hitting the pool Tuesday, Nov. 6 — but this “training session” won't be like any other the Cardinals have taken part in this season.

SMU will be one of 11 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools — not to mention one of more than 30 collegiate teams nationwide — participating in the “Hour of Power” Relay. The relay is in honor of Carleton swimmer Ted Mullin, who passed away in the fall of 2006 from sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer, and all funds raised through this event will support research into the causes of sarcoma in young people at the University of Chicago.
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The “Hour of Power” Relay will kick off at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Eastern Time) and is a one-hour continuous relay. During Mullin’s days as a Knight, this was one of the team’s favorite practices, and Carleton felt it would be a fitting to not only honor their former teammate, but to also raise money for cancer research.

“This is a pretty special event for us — most of our upperclassmen had competed against Ted, and we all felt that this was a great way to honor his memory,” said SMU head coach Eric Lindquist. "All of our swimming and diving athletes are going to be taking part, swimming all-out for one hour in a number of different relays that will be going on at the same time. We’re pretty excited — it should be a lot of fun.”

If anyone would like to contribute to this event, please send donations to coach Lindquist at Box 62. Checks may be made payable to Saint Mary’s University. The SMU swimming and diving team is also welcoming any interested parties to stop by the pool at 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 to cheer on the Cardinal swimmers as they take part in this special event.

Exhibit examines cultural, social forces through paintings, audio

"Samiha" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar












"Hinda" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar











Minneapolis artists Michal Sagar and Francisca de Beurges Rosenthal present a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibit titled, “Branches: A Contemporary Convivencia” through Nov. 10 at Saint Mary’s.

“Branches” will be on display in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Get set to scream at annual Saint Mary's Walk of Horror

This year’s Saint Mary’s University Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 11th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26-27 and 31 in the SMU bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the SMU baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.
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Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding the SMU campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

SMU head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears. Last year more than 1,000 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s spring trip to California for a tournament. For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

Halloween Fun Night for kids is Oct. 29 at Saint Mary’s

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the seventh annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, where face-painting, a coloring station, bucket toss and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.
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From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 600 kids participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

Donations of candy or money can be dropped off through Oct. 29 in the Student Development Office or call Ext. 1409 for a candy pickup.

Common Threads clothing sale runs Oct. 25-27

The sixth annual Common Threads clothing sale will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27, in Room B of the Toner Student Center.

Gently used clothing and footwear for men, women, youth and infants will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The public is welcome.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry and the student Peace and Justice group. Each year the money raised — along with the leftover clothing from the sale — goes to local organizations that help those less fortunate.

Next Let’s Do Lunch has Halloween theme

The next Let’s Do Lunch, hosted by Student Services, is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. Proceeds will go to faculty and staff who have lost their homes or had significant flood damage.

SMU Chemistry Nights planned for Oct. 25 & Nov. 1

Area high school juniors and seniors (and their teachers) will learn the importance of chemistry in everyday life via hands-on activities 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday Nov. 1 during Chemistry Night at Saint Mary’s.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the SMU Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role chemistry plays in the world.
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Each year students solve a challenging but fun chemical problem based on the National Chemistry Week theme; this year’s theme is “The Faces of Chemistry.”

Students will be distributed into small teams and will work with instrumentation in the SMU Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of chemistry majors.

During the event, students will have hands-on exposure to various chemical instrumentation and wet chemistry. Prizes will be awarded including 12 SMU scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000.

For more information, contact Dr. Jim Vogel at Ext. 1558.

Upcoming events for internships, study abroad

“Conducting an Internet Job Search” will take place Thursday, Nov. 1, at 4:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Hall, Room 132.

The study abroad deadline for Belfast, Ireland; Olso, Norway; and Quito, Ecuador is scheduled for Nov. 1. For more information, contact Jackie Baker at Ext. 6695.

Phi Mu Alpha announces Blue Angel dates

The brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel 2007. This year’s performances are Friday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 and 10 p.m.

You may receive a complimentary admission to the show of your choice by contacting Dr. Jeff Highland at Ext. 1459 or campus box 1.

Second Page Improv first performances this weekend

The Second Page Improv show features student comedians in hilarious situations and is free and open to the public.

Performances will take place in the Figliulo Recital Hall on Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 and 10 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 27, at 10 p.m.

An update from Nairobi

From Father Michael Kirwen, director of the Maryknoll Institute for African Studies in Nairobi, Kenya:

Professional-Quality Field Research

“Since MIASMU students in Nairobi do an hour of field research for every hour of class, it is critical that they become professional researchers if they are to collect valuable data. To facilitate this, MIASMU offers workshops on field research principles and practices. Besides the theoretical training, the workshops enable students to discuss issues that they encounter in actual field research and do practice interviews showing the various methods and research techniques.
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“For example, in the workshop of Oct. 18, a focused group interview was done on bridewealth, the gifts given to the family of the bride. The student interviewer asked all the seven different types of questions during the event. The analysis afterward revealed that ultimately bridewealth legitimizes children into the family (lineage) of the father. Furthermore it demonstrated that the bridewealth payments can be any product, animal, service — anything that can be exchanged, even school fees and accommodation for the bride’s brother.

“The workshops are organized into foundational and advanced classes, each having three modules – one for each course — which are spaced throughout the semester. By the end of six courses a student is trained to do professional-quality field research and is awarded one credit.”

Jazz event calendar

Swing Inc., including Eric Heukeshoven, will perform 8 to 11 p.m. today, Oct. 26, at Waterfront Restaurant, La Crosse, Wis.

John Paulson and Incognito, a 12-piece band, will perform 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Striker’s Bar in Stewartville, Minn.

The John Paulson Quartet performs 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Starlight Lounge, La Crosse, Wis.

Flood relief volunteers needed

There are plenty of options to volunteer for flood relief this weekend.

Volunteers will be heading out today from 1-4 p.m. There is also an opportunity this Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To sign up, or for more information, contact Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936.

Volunteer Services is going to Biloxi over Thanksgiving break

Students will be helping families continue to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina during Thanksgiving break Nov. 16-26.

The cost of $150 includes transportation and food. Applications can be picked up in Toner Student Center’s Room 8.

Lasallian Social Justice topic of Oct. 31 luncheon

Two presentations about the Lasallian Social Justice Institute are scheduled for lunch on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.

This summer three members of the College faculty participated in the Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI) program sponsored by the Christian Brothers USA/Toronto Region. Dr. Dorothy Diehl assisted with the LSJI-Chicago experience; Ann Smith participated in LSJI-San Francisco; and Dr. Greg Gaut attended LSJI-El Paso, along with Valerie Fitzgerald from the Twin Cities campus.
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On Wednesday, Oct. 31, Diehl and Smith will share their presentation, “Building Solidarity with Persons in Poverty: LSJI Chicago and San Francisco.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, Gaut will present “From Both Sides of the Border: A Lasallian Look at the Immigration Issue.”

The Office for Mission will host these Wednesday afternoon lunches in the Faculty Dining Room. The presentations will begin at 12:15 p.m., but those attending may begin arriving at 11:45 a.m. Indicate to the cashier that you are attending the Mission presentation.

University Council for Lasallian Formation, Mission formed

Brother Louis DeThomasis has formed the University Council for Lasallian Formation and Mission. The purpose of the council is to empower all at the university to foster and to embrace our Lasallian charism.

This council has an essential and important role — the development, guidance and nurturing of our Lasallian charism for the future of Saint Mary’s University. A primary focus of this council, moderated by Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC, Lasallian Scholar-in-Residence, is to enable our university community to embrace all of our personnel and students in an open and caring manner that demonstrates the true nature of Saint John Baptist de La Salle and his Brothers in their educational, spiritual and social missions.
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Their role — as leaders in the SMU community — is to inspire, animate, encourage and nurture our Lasallian identity. It will be the goal of this council to foster inclusivity, i.e., to include and invite all to join in and embrace our Lasallian charism no matter where they are on their own personal faith journey. The members of the council will have the ability to determine both how the council will operate and its future composition.

The group includes:

Moderator: Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC

College Division: Dr. Mary Catherine Fox (coordinator), Dr. Dorothy Diehl, Tim Gossen, Dr. Stephen Pattee, Valerie Robeson, Ann Smith, Sister Judith Schaefer.

SGPP Division: Dr. Roxanne Eubank (coordinator), Dr. Gerald Ellis, Sarah Fisher, Valerie Fitzgerald, Dr. Greg Sobolewski, Mary Thole and Dr. Mary Louise Wise.

SMU looking for announcer for sporting events

If you’ve ever dreamed of doing play-by-play announcing for sporting events, like the TV and radio broadcasters you've grown up listening to, then now is your chance! Saint Mary’s is looking for faculty and staff to do play-by-play and color commentary over the Internet of home men’s and women’s basketball games and home men’s and women’s hockey games.

You would be trained in the use of the equipment and on how to approach the calling of a game. You wouldn’t be obligated to do all of the home games, just the ones that fit into your schedule. Any help we can get is appreciated. If interested, please contact Dean Beckman at dbeckman@smumn.edu.

Sympathy to Torstenson family

Dr. Joel Torstenson, father of Ruth Ann Torstenson-Lemasters (reference librarian at the Fitzgerald Library) died Thursday, Oct. 18, at Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

The Saint Mary’s University community extends its sympathy to the Torstenson family.

Sweeney named vice president for development, alumni

Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis has named Joseph P. Sweeney as vice president for development and alumni relations.

Sweeney, a 1981 Saint Mary’s graduate, will begin his new position on Dec. 3. He will oversee the university’s fundraising, alumni relations and advancement services.

Sweeney comes to Saint Mary’s from Loyola Academy, a Jesuit college-preparatory high school in Wilmette, Ill., where he served for 11 years as vice president for development and director of principal gifts. During Sweeney’s tenure, Loyola’s endowment increased from $14 million to nearly $53 million. Previously, Sweeney worked seven years as director of development at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Ill.

Joe and his wife, Stacey (Sanborn ’82) Sweeney, have four children. Their son Kevin is currently a sophomore at Saint Mary’s.

Saint Mary's reports increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment

Saint Mary's reports enrollment growth at both the undergraduate and graduate program levels.

As of the fall "enrollment data freeze" dates, Saint Mary's has a total of 5,960 students, up 394 from last year's total of 5,566.

The number of graduate students enrolled is 3,918 (929 in Winona-based programs and 2,989 in Twin Cities campus-based programs). That number is up 170 from last year's enrollment of 3,748. An additional 692 bachelor degree-completion and undergraduate certificate students are enrolled, up 166 from last year's total of 526.

The undergraduate College at the Winona campus shows enrollment of 1,350, up 58 from last year's total of 1,292. (1,276 are full-time undergraduates and 74 are part-time and non-degree-seeking students.) The freshman class of 399 is the second-largest in Saint Mary's history. Adding in transfers and readmitted students, the total of new degree-seeking students is 455.

SMU to host Japanese celebration on Oct. 20

Winona will welcome a delegation from Misato (Winona’s sister city in Japan) this weekend.

Several cultural events will be hosted on the Saint Mary’s campus.

A “Japanese Culture Fest” — free and open to the public — will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Toner Student Center. The event, which will run from 2 to 3 p.m., will include booth displays and demonstrations featuring Shodo, the art of drawing unique characters; Ikebana, art formed with flowers; Kimono, a traditional Japanese dress; and Sado, a tea ceremony.
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These events will be followed by Japanese dancers and Taiko drummers from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Saturday in Page Theatre. The dancers will perform an original form of “Nihon Buyo,” which features the use of bamboo props and a beating rhythm. “Senrai,” a group of young Japanese musicians, will share their talents using the traditional instruments of Taiko drums.

A banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Hiawatha Room, located on SMU’s Saint Teresa campus. Admission is $18 per person, and tickets are available at City Hall, 457-8234. The event features the Gate City Jazz Band from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., as well as the International Dancers of Winona and Native American hoop dancer Jackie Bird.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, the Culture Fest will be repeated at WSU’s Kryzsko Commons. Exhibits run 1 to 2 p.m., with performances from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

‘Alexander’ musical on stage tonight

The Saint Mary’s Page Series and TheatreworksUSA’s Two Beans Productions will stage the comical children’s story, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” on Friday, Oct. 19. The hilarious musical will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

This timeless story begins with Alexander waking up with gum in his hair, and then he trips on a skateboard, and then he accidentally drops his sweater in the sink – and all this before breakfast! Alexander’s day continues to go downhill as he gets smushed in the car on the way to school and his teacher dislikes his drawing of an invisible castle. There’s no dessert for lunch, there’s lima beans for dinner, and there’s kissing on TV.

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

Benefit for SMU faculty, staff flood victims set for Oct. 28

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled evening of music, food and festive bidding that will raise money for the SMU faculty and staff who have suffered severe damage due to the August flood. Several of our own SMU community members have lost their homes and many — if not all — of their personal belongings. Come and support them!

The event, “A Recipe for Relief,” will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in the dining room. All faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university are invited to attend. Admission will be $25 or $15 for students.
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Several celebrity SMU “chefs” will be preparing a huge variety of tasty hors d’oeuvres like walleye strips, bruschetta, ham-filled cream puffs, truffles, stuffed tomatoes and caramelized onion crispy bacon pizzettes. The master chef himself, Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis, will give out a special recipe — as well as a live (and lively!) demonstration of how to prepare it.

Additionally beer, wine, pop and water have been graciously donated. A special Polish beer tasting will be offered as well.

Come and enjoy music by our own talented musicians. SMU student jazz combos will be joined by Eric Heukeshoven and Dr. John Paulson. Additionally Chris Kendall will perform folk music. A silent auction will complete the evening.

Some auction items donated so far include homemade jewelry, a guided canoe trip, a dinner from Gary Diomandes, a ticket basket from the SMU box office, a large santa basket, a Starbucks coffee basket, certificates for fresh- baked cinnamon rolls, a personal perennial garden at your home and much more! If you would like to donate an auction item, please contact Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936 or Nikki Richmond at Ext. 1634.

Babysitting services will be provided. For tickets, go to the Student Services window or contact LaPlant.

SMU community members share flood stories

This is the sixth in a series of stories of SMU faculty and staff who have suffered serious damage because of recent flooding. We hope that these stories bring to light how many people, in how many areas, were deeply affected. Please continue to keep everyone who is fighting to put their lives back together in your prayers.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Renee Knutson’s home in Sunny Acres is pictured on the far left. You can see her double garage doors.








Knutson estimates they got 5 feet of water on the bottom floor of their split-level home.










Renee Knutson
Director of career services
and study abroad

Renee Knutson’s 9-year-old son Bryan wasn’t home when water swept through his Sunny Acres neighborhood Aug. 18-19. But his young eyes have seen — up close — the mass destruction the flood left behind. Thunderstorms now take on a whole new meaning.

“He’s still scared,” Knutson said. “Every time it rains, he thinks it’s going to flood.”
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And, quite simply, Bryan misses a lot of his favorite things. Each time he can’t locate something, Knutson said he checks to see if it’s merely missing, or if it was destroyed.

“He keeps asking where such and such is,” she said. “Now he doesn’t want us to tell him anymore what was lost.”

“Stuff” has special meaning to a 9-year-old.

Many of Renee’s things — also destroyed in the flood — held special sentimental meaning as well … the home movies of her mom, who passed away 7 years ago, interacting with her son; items her mom had made for her; her son’s artwork and papers from school; her Christmas ornaments; her parents’ love letters; and her wedding dress, just four months old.

This isn’t exactly the honeymoon Renee and her husband Brian had planned. Lots of people have said to us, ‘What a way to start out a marriage,’ ” Renee said. “We were looking forward to things slowing down. When we were planning for the wedding, things were crazy.”

At the time of the flood, Knutson had just moved several boxes of her and Bryan’s belongings into the basement of the split-level home in Sunny Acres. The closing of her previous home (which stayed dry) was just a week away.

Knutson never got to unpack. The water level reached 5 feet in their basement.

But she is thankful her family is safe and that they still have a house to call home. She recalls how quickly water levels rose in the middle of the night.

At 5 a.m., Brian woke up after hearing neighbors outside yelling back and forth. He noticed that water was building up around their home.

“He said, ‘Renee, you need to come look at this,’ ” she said. The two went to the basement of their split-level home to survey the damage. Initially, she said, there were just a couple of puddles of water and they began pulling items upstairs.

But the situation quickly escalated.

“Within five minutes, water started pouring in, and the door between the garage and the house busted in (from the pressure),” she said.

The two felt safe on their second floor. There was no way, they thought, the water level could reach that height. Then again, she said, the water rose very fast, and they had no idea how high it would eventually get.

They turned down the first rescue boat, directing it to other neighbors first. When it was their turn, Renee and Brian were evacuated to the Red Cross shelter at SMU.

Renee laughs when she says she was so comforted to see Dr. Jeffrey Highland, a familiar friendly face in a crisis. They stayed with friends that evening and were able to go back in to begin cleanup the following day.

“When we first came back, everything was all toppled over and laying all over the place in a couple of inches of mud. It’s amazing what ended up where,” she said. Items from one room were relocated to a whole different section of the house.

It took several weeks to sort out and wash what they could save; scrape the mud out; remove the carpeting, insulation and sheetrock; and wash and bleach everything. The door that broke was finally replaced two weeks ago.

“It’s going to be a long time before things are back to normal,” she said.

Renee and Brian hope to get their stairs, landing and insulation installed before winter. The two did not live in a flood plain and did not have flood insurance. FEMA gave them $5,000 to help with damages.

“At least we’re safe. We’re alive,” she said. “It could have been a lot worse. We’re very fortunate we didn’t lose everything. A lot of people lost everything, which is something I almost feel guilty about.”

Renee said she is amazed by the support they’ve seen from SMU, from Bryan’s school (Bluffview Montessori) and from their church (Saint Mary’s.) Many friends and family members have come to lend a hand. And all the help has made it all a little easier. She says, “I don’t know how I could have done it alone.”

Kabara Institute hosts Digicom speaker Oct. 23

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies will kick off its 2007-08 programming on Oct. 23 with guest speaker, Russ Neitzke, founder, president, and CEO of Digicom, Inc. Neitzke is a 1991 graduate of Saint Mary’s with a degree in accounting.

His presentation, “First-Generation Owner, Second-Generation Entrepreneur,” will be held in the President’s Room from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is open to all students, faculty and staff.

Founded in 1993, Digicom, Inc. provides the latest in data, voice, video and sound communications.

SMU exhibit examines cultural, social forces through paintings, audio

"Samiha" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar












"Hinda" - encaustic painting by Michal Sagar











Minneapolis artists Michal Sagar and Francisca de Beurges Rosenthal present a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibit titled, “Branches: A Contemporary Convivencia” through Nov. 10 at Saint Mary’s.

“Branches” will be on display in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. An opening reception is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21.
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The show, which includes encaustic on wood by Sagar and an audio installation by de Beurges Rosenthal, explores a poetic interplay of social and cultural forces between Jews, Muslims and Christians. Specifically, the two focus on where human tensions interact with the natural world, leaving their imprint on each other.

Sagar has created portraits of Jews, Muslims and Christians — from their home countries and from the U.S. — to understand what separates us and what binds us together. Their memorable faces are captured in encaustic paintings on wooden panels.

De Beurges Rosenthal interviewed some of the people depicted in Sagar’s beautiful, yet haunting, pieces. An audio installation from these interviews accompanies the paintings.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Get set to scream at annual Saint Mary's Walk of Horror

This year’s Saint Mary’s University Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 11th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 19-20 and 26, 27 and 31 in the SMU bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the SMU baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.
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Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding the SMU campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

SMU head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears. Last year more than 1,000 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s spring trip to California for a tournament. For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

Halloween Fun Night for kids is Oct. 29 at Saint Mary’s

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the seventh annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, where face-painting, a coloring station, bucket toss and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 600 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

Donations of candy or money can be dropped off through Oct. 29 in the Student Development Office or call Ext. 1409 for a candy pickup.

Common Threads clothing sale will be Oct. 25-27

The sixth annual Common Threads clothing sale will be held Oct. 25-27 in the Hall Fame Room.

Gently used clothing and footwear for men, women, youth and infants will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, through Saturday, Oct. 27. The public is welcome.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry and the student Peace and Justice group. Each year the money raised — along with the leftover clothing from the sale — goes to local organizations that help those less fortunate.

This year proceeds will go to the Winona Catholic Worker House.

Items can be dropped off, beginning at 9 a.m., Oct. 22-24 at Room B of the Toner Student Center.

Summer schedule for Gilmore Creek Theatre announced

Andrew Greene ’06, Steve DiBlasi, and Chris Kernan got a lot of laughs in “Lend Me a Tenor.”







Steve Di Blasi and Jolene Davis in last years’s Gilmore Summer Creek Theatre Production of “Lend Me a Tenor.”





A man-eating plant and a phony foreigner will headline Saint Mary’s University’s second annual Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre. The professional theatre company summer lineup will include the popular musical “Little Shop of Horrors”; the hilarious comedy “The Foreigner”; and a yet-to-be-named children’s production in rotation throughout July and August at SMU’s Page Theatre.

Judy Myers, returning for a second year as artistic director, is excited to bring a talented cast of performers from throughout the United States to Winona. Myers said this year’s productions are guaranteed to leave audiences laughing. “These familiar favorites will be popular with audiences of all ages,” she said, “We hope they serve as a complement to Winona’s other rich summer theatre offerings.”
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“Little Shop of Horrors,” directed by Myers, follows Seymour, a down-and out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant, which he names Audrey II, with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon Audrey II grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore that offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. Audrey II finally reveals itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, this musical is based on the film by Roger Corman and screenplay by Charles Griffith. Anthony Freeman will serve as the musical director.

“The Foreigner” by Larry Shue demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English. The locals of a rural Georgian fishing lodge are told that an innocent, shy young man named Charlie speaks no English. As the plot progresses, Charlie overhears more than he should: the evil plans of a sinister, two-faced minister and his redneck associate; the fact that the minister's pretty fiancée is pregnant; and many other damaging revelations made with the thought that Charlie doesn't understand a word being said. The wildly funny climax separates the "bad guys," and the "good guys" and ensures a happy ending.

“The Foreigner” will be directed by Steve Snyder, a faculty member of Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., who returns to GCST after having directed last summer’s successful production of “Lend Me a Tenor.”

Gary Diomandes will again serve as GCST’s artistic associate and Kit Mayer is returning as production manager and resident scene designer.

GCST will also include a children’s theatre production in its 2008 season. Performance dates will be announced at a later date.

Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre Schedule:

July 10-12, “Little Shop of Horrors" — 7:30 p.m.
July 13, “Little Shop of Horrors” — 3 p.m.

July 17-19, “The Foreigner” — 7:30 p.m.
July 20,“The Foreigner” — 3 p.m.

July 24, “The Foreigner” — 7:30 p.m.
July 25, “Little Shop of Horrors”— 7:30 p.m.
July 26, “The Foreigner” — 7:30 p.m.
July 27, “Little Shop of Horrors” — 3 p.m.

July 31, “Little Shop of Horrors” — 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 1, “The Foreigner”— 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 2, “Little Shop of Horrors” — 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 3, “The Foreigner” — 3 p.m.

SMU students to perform, study in London first semester

Saint Mary’s theatre majors are staging “The Shadow Box” Oct. 17-20 at London’s New Wimbledon Studio. Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary’s are studying theatre in London, England, this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program.

Next Let’s Do Lunch has Halloween theme

This next Let’s Do Lunch, hosted by Student Services, is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 31. Proceeds will go to faculty and staff who have lost their homes or had significant flood damage.

Get your Jeans for a Cause sticker today

Today, Oct. 19, is our “BONUS” Jeans for a Cause Friday. If you would like to wear blue jeans to work that day, please stop in Student Services with your donation and pick up your “Blue Jeans for a Cause” sticker.

SMU Chemistry Nights planned for Oct. 25 & Nov. 1

Area high school juniors and seniors (and their teachers) will learn the importance of chemistry in everyday life via hands-on activities 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 during Chemistry Nights at Saint Mary’s.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the SMU Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role chemistry plays in the world.
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Each year students solve a challenging but fun chemical problem based on the National Chemistry Week theme; this year’s theme is “The Faces of Chemistry.”
Students will be distributed into small teams and will work with instrumentation in the SMU Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of chemistry majors.

During the event, students will have hands-on exposure to various chemical instrumentation and wet chemistry. Prizes will be awarded including 12 SMU scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000.

The event is free, and there are still openings. Students who are interested should have their high school science teacher contact Dr. Jim Vogel at Ext. 1558.

Upcoming events for internships, study abroad

The fourth annual Government Fair will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in the Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Government agencies meet with students and alumni from 27 participating Minnesota 4-year colleges and universities.

Pre-registration is required; stop by Saint Mary’s Hall, Room 136 to register for this event or call Ext. 6996. The registration period ends today. For more information, contact Jackie Baker at Ext. 6695.

Red Cross Blood Drive scheduled for Oct. 22, 23

Blood donations will be taken in the Hall of Fame Room from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22, and Tuesday, Oct. 23. The blood drive is sponsored by Sigma Alpha Iota.

Blue Angel auditions begin Oct. 19

Blue Angel is an annual variety show put on by the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Auditions are open to anyone who wants to get an act together and audition. This is a good chance for students to get out and show their musical talents.

Sign-ups for audition times will be posted next week on the door to the Phi Mu Alpha Room, Toner Student Center Room 16. Auditions are today, Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20.

The dates for the show are Nov. 2 and 3. For more information concerning Blue Angel, contact Rick McCoy at Ext. 7124.

Grace Place fundraiser concert is Oct. 21 at SMU

The “Savin’ Grace Concert,” a fundraiser for Grace Place in Winona, will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at Figliulo Recital Hall. It is the mission of Grace Place to provide Christian guidance, support and encouragement for women with unplanned pregnancies and for families experiencing brokenness and change.

Chris Kendall starts the first concert at 1 p.m., Jackie Bode performs at 2:30 p.m. and the Winona Fiddlers take the stage at 3:15 p.m. The The women of the Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity here at SMU will perform in the lobby during the intermission.

Tickets are $10 for either concert or $15 for all and are available at the door or at Grace Place, 66 E. 2nd St.

Jazz event calendar

Swing Inc., including Eric Heukeshoven, will perform at 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Waterfront Restaurant, La Crosse, Wis.

The John Paulson Trio performs 6 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday Oct. 20, at Michael’s Restaurant in Rochester.

Career Fair 2007 is Oct. 24

Career Fair 2007 — sponsored by WSU Career Services, Saint Mary’s University and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical — will be held noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at WSU’s McCown Gym.

Career Fair 2007 is an informal opportunity for all students, first year through graduate level, to gather information about a variety of career fields. Employers and graduate schools who attend the fair are available to discuss career information, internship requirements and graduate school entrance requirements.

Over 120 employers and graduate schools (including SMU) are registered to attend this year.

All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. For more information, call 457-5340 or e-mail: career@winona.edu.

New employees named

• Roberta Hornberg, Oct. 18, custodian, Winona.
• Debbie Watson, Oct. 15, administrative assistant (half-time), Rochester.
• Allison Heille, Oct. 9, administrative assistant, Twin Cities financial aid.

McCullough conducts poetry workshop in Plainview

On Oct. 6, Ken McCullough, director of the PASS program and assistant director of academic advising, conducted a poetry workshop at the Rural America Writer’s Center, Plainview.

Rushford Area Society for the Arts presents Floodapalooza

A celebration for the flood victims of Rushford and the surrounding area titled, “How to Talk Minnesotan” will be held 1 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Rushford-Peterson High School gymnasium.

There will be no charge for the event, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds will go to flood victims through the fund at the Associated Bank of Rushford. There will be brats and pop for a small charge and all profits will also go to the flood fund.

Judy Myers, theatre department, will direct the Southeast Minnesota Showtune Choir in “Rain Medley, Patriotic Medley and Tunes You’ve Loved Forever.”

Congratulations to Popp family

Stacy (Communication and Marketing) and Steve Popp had a son, Tye Steven, on Monday, Oct. 15. Notes of congratulations can be sent to S2882 Alfred Dr., Fountain City, Wis., 54629. The Saint Mary’s community extends its congratulations to the Popp family.