Lasallian Week of Peace schedule announced

Lasallian Week of Peace will be observed Oct. 2-7. This year’s theme is, “Living the Dignity of the Person.

Events include:

Sunday, Oct. 2 — Mass “Reflection on the Dignity of the Person — 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., Saint Thomas More Chapel.

Monday, Oct. 3 — “Inter-Religious Dialogue” — 7:30 p.m., Figliulo Recital Hall.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 — Movie, “Freedom from Famine: The Norman Borloug Story” — 7:30 p.m., Salvi Lecture Hall. Borloug is a 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the Green Revolution.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 — Jerome Mayne presenting “Professional Ethics” — 7:30 p.m., Salvi Lecture Hall.

Thursday, Oct. 6 — “Who are we as an SMU Community?” — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6 — SMU students, faculty and staff are invited to discuss and review the results of the “Dignity in Diversity” survey taken this week. Examine the diversity of who we are as a community and ask, “How welcoming and inclusive are we?”

Friday, Oct. 7 — Action Step of Advocacy and Service for All Students — led by the Peace & Justice Club. Check your SMU e-mail to find out how to participate.

Panel to conduct ‘Inter-Religious Dialogue’

The public is invited to an “Inter-Religious Dialogue” Monday, Oct. 3, as part of Lasallian Week of Peace.

Three guest speakers will discuss how Christianity, Islam and Judaism relate the dignity of the person to the intersection of faith, work and vocation.

Michael Naughton is the holder of the Alan W. Moss Endowed Chair in Catholic Social Thought at the University of Saint Thomas. He is also the director of the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought, at the Center for Catholic Studies, which examines Catholic social thought in relationship to business theory and practice.

Brian Shapiro, associate professor in the Accounting Department of Saint Thomas, co-teaches with Naughton on the senior capstone theology course on the intersection of faith and management. He is an active member of Bet Shalom, a Reform Jewish Congregation in Minnetonka.

Tamim Saidi, born in Afghanistan, was forced to escape Pakistan as a teenager and came to the U.S. in 1990. He is vice president of the Islamic Resource Group and a vice president and founding member of the Northwest Islamic Community Center. He also participates in a writers group for EngageMN.com, a local group with a mission to improve the understanding of Minnesotans about their Muslim neighbors and Islam.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Co-sponsors include the Offices of Campus Ministry and Academic Affairs, the Office for Mission, the Theology Department and Student Activities.

For more information, contact Dennis Gallagher at Ext. 6936.

Speaker to address business ethics, story of incarceration

Jerome Mayne, a former mortgage-banking executive and white-collar criminal, and renowned motivational speaker, will present “Professional Ethics” Wednesday, Oct. 5, as part of Lasallian Week of Peace.

The event — free and open to the public — is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall.

Using humor, Mayne will share his personal experience in the finance world and of his incarceration for white-collar crime. Mayne hopes his story inspires students and business professionals to use their own morality to make the right decisions — even when the right decisions aren’t easy.

Mayne’s presentation is co-sponsored by SMU’s offices of Campus Ministry, Student Life and Student Activities, the Business Department and the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

For more information, contact Dennis Gallagher at Ext. 6936 or dgallagh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary's to stage ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ Oct. 6-9

John Millington Synge’s classic Irish comedy/tragedy, “The Playboy of the Western World” — to be staged Oct. 6-9 — is sure to touch the hearts of lads and lasses alike.

For this production, students from the Department of Theatre and Dance are under the guest direction of Patrick Sutton, who has served as director of The Gaiety School of Acting-the National Theatre School of Ireland in Dublin for the past 18 years.

The Gaiety School of Acting boasts such well-known graduates as Olivia Wilde, Colin Farrell and Stuart Townsend.

Sutton, a renowned acting coach, director and writer, has also been garnering international attention for spearheading the renovation of the historic Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin’s first theatre (1662). He is also the director of COMMUNICATE, a communications company working in politics, industry and the arts. As such, for 11 years, Sutton worked on speeches for Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

“The Playboy of the Western World” was first performed in Dublin on Jan. 26, 1907. It begins with a young Christy Mahon who has just quarreled with his father and leaves him for dead. Mahon finds his way to the village pub where he is lauded as a hero for his deed. In a classic Irish twist, his father is not dead and comes looking for his cowardly son. The quarrel continues with extremely tragic — yet sometimes humorous — results.

“There’s something we can all identify with in this play: truth, lies, bravery and valor,” Sutton said before explaining how this play can be both tragic, yet comedic. “It’s a folk play that ends in misery but there’s also dancing, slapstick and Irish comedy along the way ... . We don’t play it for laughs, but we have great fun telling the tale.”

The show runs 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Tickets for all shows are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and can be purchased at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SMU, WSU jazz groups join forces to help families in need

The Saint Mary's University Jazz Combo I

The WSU Jazz Ensemble

Jazz students from Saint Mary’s and Winona State are combining talents to help Winona-area families in need through “Jazz For Winona — Live United.”

The benefit concert — which will involve both SMU and WSU big bands and combos under the direction of Drs. John Paulson and Rich MacDonald — is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Signatures Event Center, 22852 County Road 17.

Two WSU combos will kick off the evening followed, by the Winona State University Jazz Ensemble. Their set will include: “Soon” by George Gershwin, arranged by Don Schamber; “La Fiesta” by Chick Corea, arranged by Michael Philip Mossman; “Dizzying” by Ryan Kisor, arranged by Bob Washut; “Yesterdays” by Jerome Kern, arranged by Mark Taylor; “That’s a Good Question,” composed and arranged by Dan Kallman and commissioned for the WSU Jazz Ensemble in spring 2011; and “Hey, That’s My Bike,” composed and arranged by Brad Turner. Featured student soloists include: Ross Nixon on sax; Kelly Mason on trumpet; Jase Ginkel on trombone; and Kelly Blau on guitar.

Saint Mary’s Jazz Combo I will perform jazz classics like Horace Silver’s “The Preacher,” “I'll Take Romance” and the cool bossa “Speak Low” by Kurt Weil. Alto saxophonist Markiese Russell and tenor saxophonist Ben Scott are featured soloists in the combo. The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble follows with some great selections and soloists including “My Romance” with Tyler Ringeisen on flugelhorn; “My Foolish Heart,” featuring Katy Kosiek on alto sax; and several other recognizable standards like “It Had To Be You,” arranged by Frank Mantooth. Closing the Jazz Ensemble set will be Gordon Goodwin’s rocker “Hit The Bricks.”

A cash bar will be available, and a freewill offering will be taken at the door.

All of the funds raised from this benefit will go to the Winona chapter of The United Way and its “Live United” campaign, dedicated to helping individuals and families in need in the Winona area.

National Depression Screening Day is Oct. 6

National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Wellness Center, Room 9, Toner Student Center.

Students can fill out a short questionnaire and meet briefly with a counselor to assess symptoms of mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar).

Untreated mood symptoms can lead to missed classes, poor performance, social isolation, and other missed opportunities in students’ college careers. Understanding the signs and symptoms of mood issues can assist students to seek treatment that will promote their well-being and enable them to gain maximum benefit from their investment in themselves and a SMU education.

Students can register to win a $100 gift certificate to the SMU bookstore at the screening.

Community invited to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Make a Difference Day’

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” the Volunteer Mentors are inviting Winona residents and nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

The university hopes to get as many students as possible out into the community between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. For the fourth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

To register your request, call Chris McClead at Ext. 7268 or e-mail cmcclead@smumn.edu by Monday, Oct. 10. Include details about what you need done, how many students are needed for the job and where you are located.

‘Inspired by Japan’ now on display

“Kamakura Omikuji” by Preston Lawing of Saint Mary’s University is one of the pieces in “Inspired by Japan,” now on display at Saint Mary’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. When visiting a Shinto temple, you may receive a fortune (Omikuji). If it is bad (Kamakura), you can tie it on a rope outside the temple, and the priests will burn them at the end of the day, sending the smoke “back to heaven.” The written words are “earthquake” and “tsunami.” This print is saying, “We do not accept this disaster as our fate, and we continue to be strong.”

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of this year, artists and printmakers from around the world gathered to produce a suite of prints titled “Inspired by Japan” to raise money for relief efforts. Their work — including a print by Preston Lawing, chair of the Department of Art and Design — is now on display at SMU’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

This exhibition — which will run through Sunday, Oct. 2 — brings together 60 printmakers in a show that will run concurrent with several other venues including South Africa, Japan, Poland, Michigan and Oregon.

For several centuries, Japan has been famous for the Ukiyo-e style of woodcut printmaking. These 60 artists, who work in the relief form of printing (carving away parts of the woodblock, and printing the raised portion), produced limited-edition prints to be donated and sold to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

NHL player to speak Oct. 11 about giving back

Shjon Podein, NHL player, Stanley Cup champion and King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner, will speak at Saint Mary’s Tuesday, Oct. 11, about “Hard Work, Perseverance and Giving Back.” The SMU community is invited to have dinner with Podein at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. His presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Common Room.

The event is sponsored by Student Life. For more information, call Nikki Richmond, at Ext. 1643.

Jazz events

Swing Inc. will perform 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Signature's Restaurant.

Cancer benefit for Jim Klinger is Oct. 22

A cancer benefit will be held for Jim Klinger, (Maintenance Department) at 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, at the Witoka Ballroom. Klinger was diagnosed with primary liver cancer in March. The event will include a live and silent auction, bake sale and chicken dinner. If you would like a ticket for the dinner, call Sandy at Ext. 1436. Tickets are selling quickly.

If you would like to help with the benefit by volunteering that day, baking for the bake sale or by donating items, contact Nikki Richmond Ext. 1643 or Sandy Moger at Ext. 1436.

Flu shots available Oct. 10

Flu shots are available for all employees and dependents between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in the faculty/staff lounge in Saint Mary’s Hall. The fee is $15 for those not covered by Saint Mary’s BlueLink.

Sympathy to Eubank, Plinski families

William and Phyllis Eubank, parents of Dr. Roxanne Eubank, professor in the Doctor of Education in Leadership program and director of the Institute for Lasallian Studies on the Twin Cities campus, died in an auto accident Thursday, Sept. 22, in rural northwestern Iowa. You may send a card of condolence to Roxanne Eubank and Family, Campus Box 28

Eileen M. Plinski (SMU retired secretary) 80, of Winona died Sunday, Sept. 25, at Lake Winona Manor. Eileen worked at Saint Mary’s University from October 1976 until her retirement in June 2001. Funeral services were held Thursday.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Eubank and Plinski families.

Public invited to Fall Frolic Oct. 1

The public is invited to participate in the 24th Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk at Saint Mary’s Saturday, Oct. 1.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Toner Student Center with the race beginning at 10 a.m. The $8 cost includes a T-shirt.

The annual event is free to SMU students, faculty and staff, but is open to the community as well. Typically close to 500 people participate; competitors of all levels (including walkers) are welcome.

Registration forms — as well as a complete weekend schedule — are available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend runs Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 and includes a full slate of activities. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend arts events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

SMU offers full weekend of student performances

Two public student performances — a jazz concert and a choir and band performance — will highlight Family Weekend.

• Jazz groups will kick off their year with a fall blast at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in Figliulo Recital Hall. Jazz Combo I (a new and hot jazz nontet) will fire off the show with jazz classics like Horace Silver’s “The Preacher,” “I'll Take Romance” and the cool bossa “Speak Low” by Kurt Weil. Alto saxophonist Markeise Russell and tenor saxophonist Ben Scott are two of the student soloists featured in the combo. The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble follows with selections including “My Romance” with Tyler Ringeisen on flugelhorn, “My Foolish Heart” featuring Katy Kosiek on alto sax, and several other recognizable standards like “It Had To Be You,” arranged by Frank Mantooth. Closing the Jazz Ensemble set will be Gordon Goodwin’s rocker “Hit The Bricks.” Both groups are directed by Dr. John Paulson. Two jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven, will play for a reception following the concert in the Toner Student Center Lounge.


Flute player Emily Fasen, of Monticello, Minn., rehearses for the upcoming Family Weekend performance.

• The Concert Band and Choirs will combine talents for a 2 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 1, at Page Theatre. The Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will start the concert with “Bayou Breakdown” by Brant Karrick, followed by the “First Suite in Eb” by Gustav Holst, and finishing with an arrangement by John Wassen of music from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The Chamber Singers will perform a set of Swedish folksongs arranged by Hugo Alfvén, and the Concert Choir will present selections by Fauré, and Gilbert and Sullivan. Both choirs are directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea. The Women’s Choir, directed by Lindsy O’Shea, will also perform. A reception will follow in the Toner Student Center Lounge.

Tickets to both performances are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Tickets are also available at the door.

Lasallian Week of Peace schedule announced

Lasallian Week of Peace will be observed Oct. 2-7. This year’s theme is, “Living the Dignity of the Person.


Events include:

Sunday, Oct. 2 — Mass “Reflection on the Dignity of the Person — 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., Saint Thomas More Chapel.

Monday, Oct. 3 — “Inter-Religious Dialogue” — 7:30 p.m., Figliulo Recital Hall.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 — Movie, “Freedom from Famine: The Norman Borloug Story” — noon, Salvi Lecture Hall. Borloug is a 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of the Green Revolution.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 — Jerome Mayne presenting “Professional Ethics” — 7:30 p.m., Salvi Lecture Hall.

Thursday, Oct. 6 — “Who are we as an SMU Community?” — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6 — SMU students, faculty and staff are invited to discuss and review the results of the “Dignity in Diversity” survey taken this week. Examine the diversity of who we are as a community and ask, “How welcoming and inclusive are we?”

Friday, Oct. 7 — Action Step of Advocacy and Service for All Students — led by the Peace & Justice Club. Check your SMU e-mail to find out how to participate.

Panel to conduct ‘Inter-Religious Dialogue’

The public is invited to an “Inter-Religious Dialogue” Monday, Oct. 3, as part of Lasallian Week of Peace.

Three guest speakers will discuss how Christianity, Islam and Judaism relate the dignity of the person to the intersection of faith, work and vocation.

Michael Naughton is the holder of the Alan W. Moss Endowed Chair in Catholic Social Thought at the University of Saint Thomas. He is also the director of the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought, at the Center for Catholic Studies, which examines Catholic social thought in relationship to business theory and practice.

Brian Shapiro, associate professor in the Accounting Department of Saint Thomas, co-teaches with Naughton on the senior capstone theology course on the intersection of faith and management. He is an active member of Bet Shalom, a Reform Jewish Congregation in Minnetonka.

Tamim Saidi, born in Afghanistan, was forced to escape Pakistan as a teenager and came to the U.S. in 1990. He is vice president of the Islamic Resource Group and a vice president and founding member of the Northwest Islamic Community Center. He also participates in a writers group for EngageMN.com, a local group with a mission to improve the understanding of Minnesotans about their Muslim neighbors and Islam.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Co-sponsors include the Offices of Campus Ministry and Academic Affairs, the Office for Mission, the Theology Department and Student Activities.

For more information, contact Dennis Gallagher at Ext. 6936.

Speaker to address business ethics, story of incarceration

Jerome Mayne, a former mortgage-banking executive and white-collar criminal, and renowned motivational speaker, will present “Professional Ethics” Wednesday, Oct. 5, as part of Lasallian Week of Peace.

The event — free and open to the public — is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall.

Using humor, Mayne will share his personal experience in the finance world and of his incarceration for white-collar crime. Mayne hopes his story inspires students and business professionals to use their own morality to make the right decisions — even when the right decisions aren’t easy.

Mayne’s presentation is co-sponsored by SMU’s offices of Campus Ministry, Student Life and Student Activities, the Business Department and the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

For more information, contact Dennis Gallagher at Ext. 6936 or dgallagh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary's to stage ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ Oct. 6-9

John Millington Synge’s classic Irish comedy/tragedy, “The Playboy of the Western World” — to be staged Oct. 6-9 — is sure to touch the hearts of lads and lasses alike.

For this production, students from the Department of Theatre and Dance are under the guest direction of Patrick Sutton, who has served as director of The Gaiety School of Acting-the National Theatre School of Ireland in Dublin for the past 18 years.

The Gaiety School of Acting boasts such well-known graduates as Olivia Wilde, Colin Farrell and Stuart Townsend.

Sutton, a renowned acting coach, director and writer, has also been garnering international attention for spearheading the renovation of the historic Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin’s first theatre (1662). He is also the director of COMMUNICATE, a communications company working in politics, industry and the arts. As such, for 11 years, Sutton worked on speeches for Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

“The Playboy of the Western World” was first performed in Dublin on Jan. 26, 1907. It begins with a young Christy Mahon who has just quarreled with his father and leaves him for dead. Mahon finds his way to the village pub where he is lauded as a hero for his deed. In a classic Irish twist, his father is not dead and comes looking for his cowardly son. The quarrel continues with extremely tragic — yet sometimes humorous — results.

“There’s something we can all identify with in this play: truth, lies, bravery and valor,” Sutton said before explaining how this play can be both tragic, yet comedic. “It’s a folk play that ends in misery but there’s also dancing, slapstick and Irish comedy along the way ... . We don’t play it for laughs, but we have great fun telling the tale.”

The show runs 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Tickets for all shows are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and can be purchased at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Winona community invited to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Make a Difference Day’

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” the Volunteer Mentors are inviting Winona residents and nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

The university hopes to get as many students as possible out into the community between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. For the fourth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

To register your request, call Chris McClead at Ext. 7268 or e-mail cmcclead@smumn.edu by Monday, Oct. 10. Include details about what you need done, how many students are needed for the job and where you are located.

‘Inspired by Japan’ now on display

“Kamakura Omikuji” by Preston Lawing of Saint Mary’s University is one of the pieces in “Inspired by Japan,” now on display at Saint Mary’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. When visiting a Shinto temple, you may receive a fortune (Omikuji). If it is bad (Kamakura), you can tie it on a rope outside the temple, and the priests will burn them at the end of the day, sending the smoke “back to heaven.” The written words are “earthquake” and “tsunami.” This print is saying, “We do not accept this disaster as our fate, and we continue to be strong.”

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of this year, artists and printmakers from around the world gathered to produce a suite of prints titled “Inspired by Japan” to raise money for relief efforts. Their work — including a print by Preston Lawing, chair of the Department of Art and Design — is now on display at SMU’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

This exhibition — which will run through Sunday, Oct. 2 — brings together 60 printmakers in a show that will run concurrent with several other venues including South Africa, Japan, Poland, Michigan and Oregon.

For several centuries, Japan has been famous for the Ukiyo-e style of woodcut printmaking. These 60 artists, who work in the relief form of printing (carving away parts of the woodblock, and printing the raised portion), produced limited-edition prints to be donated and sold to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

News from Nairobi

A report from Edith K. Chamwama, editor, Maryknoll Institute of African Studies

The Ethnic and Academic Diversity of MIASMU Students

The Maryknoll Institute of African Studies (MIASMU) reflects a most diverse and dynamic student body. This semester there are 10 Kenyans, two Ugandans, and one each from South Sudan, Poland, Korea, India, Eritrea, the U.S., Philippines and Tanzania. This variety of students enriches the learning environment as classes become a cultural melting pot.

Academically, a few students have doctoral degrees in various fields, many more have master and bachelor degrees, all from reputable institutes of higher learning. All graduate students and faculty of Saint Mary’s are qualified to participate in the institute’s programs.

The five courses of the fall semester

The semester has begun with 28 students. The courses on offer are:

“The Contemporary Political and Economic Realities in Kenya,” which examines political and economic foundations, past and present, of African society. It focuses on the conflicts and crises which are disrupting effective government and economic development.

“African Culture: An Overview,” which is a required course for all students enrolling for a master degree or a diploma. The course is a systematic presentation of african cultural heritage including social groupings, supernatural beliefs and religious systems.

“African Marriage and Family: Challenge and Change” covers various aspects of African marriage and family focusing both on the traditional as well as modern forms. Cross-cultural studies are emphasized, which illustrate the similarities and diversities in values, attitudes and practices within Africa.

“Sage Philosophy” addresses the general nature of sage philosophy and its connection with philosophy and religion in Africa. It answers questions of sages and their views on God, culture, customs, life and death, man and animals.

“Moral Teachings and Practices of African Religion” introduces morality and ethics from the perspective of African religion. It investigates several current moral themes namely, sexuality, death and dying, inter-tribal/ethnic relations. All are considered in the context of sin and salvation from an African viewpoint, and discuss how this understanding of morality continues to influence (ethically) peoples’ lives in contemporary Africa.

New CTIE newsletter now online

For a colorful, picture-filled and informative brochure detailing events happening at Christ the Teacher Institute for Education in Nairobi, go to www.smumn.edu/institutes and click on “CTIE" to see the latest newsletter. The latest edition includes a profile of Joshua Itumo.

NHL player to speak Oct. 11 about giving back

Shjon Podein, NHL player, Stanley Cup champion and King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner, will speak at Saint Mary’s Tuesday, Oct. 11, about “Hard Work, Perseverance and Giving Back.” The SMU community is invited to have dinner with Podein at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. His presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Common Room.

The event is sponsored by Student Life. For more information, call Nikki Richmond, at Ext. 1643.

Stark to present next biology seminar

Kevin Stark of GeoSpatial Services will present “Using GIS to Characterize Urban Tree Canopy Values, Change, and Ownership: A Case Study in the City of Winona” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in Room 112 of Hoffman Hall.

Alum to present on ozone and greenhouse gasses Sept. 27

Dr John Barnes ’75, director of the NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory, will give a presentation on “Ozone and Greenhouse Gases: An Update on Two Environmental Issues” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, in Hoffman Hall, Room 217.

His talk will begin by noting that in 1958, the longest-running, continuous measurement of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was started at Mauna Loa Observatory on the Big Island of Hawaii. In just a few years, Charles David Keeling of Scripps Oceanographic Institute was able to see two things: that there was a yearly cycle, and that the average level was increasing. This was the first realization that humankind’s activities were affecting the entire planet’s atmosphere.

Some years later, it was hypothesized that some widely used chemicals, CFCs and others, might reach the stratosphere where they could destroy ozone in the naturally occurring ozone layer. This was graphically proved to be true with discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. The status of these two issues and their possible environmental consequences will be described, along with a global network of measurements that track the changes.

Dr. John E. Barnes has worked as a scientist at the NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory since 1993, and has been director since 1998. His main research concentrates on measuring particulates (aerosols) and their properties in the air. He attended graduate school at Colorado State University (M.S. Physics, 1980) and received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Minnesota in 1988 where he worked on ozone properties and became interested in atmospheric physics. He spent five years working at the University of Michigan and has also worked in the aerospace industry on electric propulsion and the space shuttle.

The talk is sponsored by the Physics and Astronomy Club, the physics honor society Sigma Pi Sigma, and the Department of Physics.

Cancer benefit for Jim Klinger is Oct. 22

A cancer benefit will be held for Jim Klinger, (Maintenance Department) at 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, at the Witoka Ballroom. Klinger was diagnosed with primary liver cancer in March. The event will include a live and silent auction, bake sale and chicken dinner. If you would like a ticket for the dinner, call Sandy at Ext. 1436. Tickets are selling quickly.

If you would like to help with the benefit by volunteering that day, baking for the bake sale or by donating items, contact Nikki Richmond Ext. 1643 or Sandy Moger at Ext. 1436.

Flu shots available Oct. 10

Flu shots are available for all employees and dependents between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in the faculty/staff lounge in Saint Mary’s Hall. The fee is $15 for those not covered by Saint Mary’s BlueLink.

Congratulations to Gossen family

Ashley and Tim Gossen, dean of students, had a baby girl, Clara Leona, on Monday, Sept. 19. She is 7 pounds 13 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. The Saint Mary’s community congratulates the Gossen family.

Saint Mary’s moves up in U.S. News ‘Best National Universities’ ranking

Saint Mary’s continues to move up in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of best colleges and universities.

Saint Mary’s is ranked No. 177 by U.S. News in the National Universities category for 2011, moving up six slots from No. 183 in 2010.

The ranking of more than 1,500 schools is available online at www.usnews.com. Results were announced today, Sept. 13.

“Saint Mary’s is a new kind of university for the 21st century,” says Brother William. “We are a national university committed to academic quality and relevance, and to educating our students for ethical lives of service of leadership — at every program level.”

U.S. News placed Saint Mary’s in the first tier of the “National Universities” category, which includes a total of 280 schools in two tiers. This grouping includes schools that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. This is the fifth year Saint Mary’s is ranked in this category.

Taking top honors in the “National Universities” ranking are Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University and Columbia University. Saint Mary’s is one of only three public or private schools in Minnesota in this category.

U.S. News categorizes schools primarily by mission and region, and ranking data is gathered from each institution on indicators of academic excellence.

Young Alumni Weekend a great success

Alums enjoyed music on the Plaza during Young Alumni Weekend.

Drs. Scott and Karen Sorvaag met with a couple of alums during the Friday social.

Throughout the the weekend, Sept. 9-11, nearly 200 young alumni returned to the Winona campus to participate in weekend events. Alumni spoke in classes and made presentations (in history, computer science, business and public relations departments), attended a welcome gathering with Brother William and faculty/staff and enjoyed entertainment from student and young alumni bands on the Plaza. They also challenged themselves on the rope course and disc golf course and participated in many more fun activities.

A huge thank you goes out to faculty and staff for attending activities throughout the weekend. Young alumni enjoy reconnecting and catching up with their favorite faculty and staff. To view photos from the weekend, go to www.smumn.edu/alumniphotos.

Alums, student athletes honored at ‘M’ Club Weekend

Sports information director Donny Nadeau was honored during the Cardinal 'M' Club ceremony.

Hall of Fame inductees enjoyed time on the golf course during Cardinal 'M' Club Weekend.

For the second year in a row, Andrew Brueggen (Holmen, Wis.) and Sarah Gardner (Rochester, Minn.) were named Saint Mary’s Outstanding Male and Female Athletes.

The awards were announced at the Cardinal ‘M’ Club Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony on Sept 10.

Additionally, Sara Harstad (Chatfield, Minn.) and David Feather (Oak Creek, Wis.) were named SMU’s Outstanding Male and Female Scholar Athletes.

Saturday's festivities also included the induction of three new members into the Sports Hall of Fame, as the Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Saint Mary's Alumni Office, welcomed the Class of 2011 — Nate DeMars ’98 men’s hockey), Frank Savino ‘98 (men’s hockey) and John Redpath ’98 (men’s hockey) — into the Hall.

Sports information director Donny Nadeau was also honored, as he was presented with the MIAC’s Mike Augustin Award for his outstanding contributions and years of service to both Saint Mary’s and the conference.

To see pictures from the event, go to www.smumn.edu/mcweekend.

Terrance Simien kicks off Page Series tonight

The 25th season of the Page Series will kick off with the sweet southern sounds of Louisiana with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Friday, Sept. 16, at Saint Mary’s.

The event, set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m., will be held in Page Theatre.

Incorporating his hypnotic blend of Zydeco, New Orleans funk, and reggae-flavored Afro-Caribbean sound, Terrance Simien aims to propel you out of your seat and have you dancing in the aisles.

For more than two decades the Grammy-award winning artist, an eighth-generation Louisiana Creole, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Creole Zydeco music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience Band, Simien has become one of the most respected and internationally recognized touring and recording artists in roots music today.

He has performed over 5,000 concerts, toured to over 40 countries and reached at least a million people during his eventful 25-year career. In December of 2009, Disney Pictures released a Pixar animated film, “The Princess & The Frog,” set in New Orleans, which was scored by Randy Newman and features the music of Simien, Terence Blanchard and Dr. John.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. $10 student rush tickets may be available for some events 20 minutes before curtain.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

‘Inspired by Japan’ now on display

“Kamakura Omikuji” by Preston Lawing of Saint Mary’s University is one of the pieces in “Inspired by Japan,” now on display at Saint Mary’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. When visiting a Shinto temple, you may receive a fortune (Omikuji). If it is bad (Kamakura), you can tie it on a rope outside the temple, and the priests will burn them at the end of the day, sending the smoke “back to heaven.” The written words are “earthquake” and “tsunami.” This print is saying, “We do not accept this disaster as our fate, and we continue to be strong.”

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of this year, artists and printmakers from around the world gathered to produce a suite of prints titled “Inspired by Japan” to raise money for relief efforts. Their work — including a print by Preston Lawing, chair of the Department of Art and Design — is now on display at SMU’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

This exhibition — which will run through Sunday, Oct. 2 — brings together 60 printmakers in a show that will run concurrent with several other venues including South Africa, Japan, Poland, Michigan and Oregon.

For several centuries, Japan has been famous for the Ukiyo-e style of woodcut printmaking. These 60 artists, who work in the relief form of printing (carving away parts of the woodblock, and printing the raised portion), produced limited-edition prints to be donated and sold to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

Mass of the Holy Spirit to be celebrated Monday

On Monday, Sept. 19, SMU will celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit at 12:10 p.m. in the Saint Thomas More Chapel.

Speaker to address Kwik Trip’s success Sept. 22

John McHugh, director of leadership development for Kwik Trip Incorporated, will discuss how the Wisconsin-based company evolved into an industry leader Thursday, Sept. 22, at Saint Mary’s.

The event, hosted by the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall.

Kwik Trip began in Eau Claire, Wis., in 1965. Since that time, Kwik Trip has grown to more than 400 stores with 10,000 coworkers in three states and has been named a “Top Workplace” in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

A commitment to innovation means that Kwik Trip is a convenience store company unlike any other. Kwik Trip not only serves customers with convenient, clean retail centers, but also produces many of the private label products featured in the stores. Kwik Trip’s La Crosse-based headquarters operates its own commissary, bakery, and dairy and also maintains its own distribution center and fleet under the Convenience Transportation name.

McHugh’s presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Trevor Hall at Ext. 6978 or tmhall@smumn.edu.

MCA begins tuition-free Adult Arts Wellness Program

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is offering tuition-free dance, fitness, and music classes to adults through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness Program.

Parents who have a child enrolled in a dance or music class/program at MCA may participate in their own class at no additional cost. Class options for parents include: Nia, Clogging, Power Piyo, Teen and Adult Ballet, Teen and Adult Tap and Jazz, and Adult Flute Choir.

All classes and programs are held at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St. Classes begin this week. Registration is currently being accepted at the Valéncia Arts Center, by mail, or online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

To accommodate the busy schedules of working parents, as well as stay-at-home parents, MCA adult classes are offered during the noon hour and in the late afternoon and evenings.

The Nia class, a fitness class for all levels, offers a dynamic blend of dance arts, martial arts and healing arts. Nia is held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the same time as MCA’s Creative Music class for 3- and 4-year-olds. Parents can sign up their young children for Creative Music while they enjoy the Nia fitness class.

Clogging I is offered for beginners on Mondays from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., follow by Clogging II from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. for those with experience.

Power Piyo is a Pilates and yoga combination class focusing on yoga postures and Pilates strengthening to offer the perfect conditioning class. Power Piyo is held Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m.

Teen and Adult Ballet, held on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., provides an introduction to ballet technique, allowing adult students to experience the artistry of ballet while gaining flexibility, placement, strength and fluidity.

Teen and Adult Tap and Jazz provides adult students with an introduction to tap and jazz dance, offering a rhythmic-filled class and a great workout. This class is held on Tuesdays from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.

MCA also offers music programming for adults through the new MCA Flute Choir. The flute choir is open to all community flutists of various performance levels. Flute choir members will study and perform a variety of music from serious recital pieces to fun seasonal/pops favorites. The flute choir will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information about MCA visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5500.

NHL player to speak Tuesday about giving back

Shjon Podein, NHL player, Stanley Cup Champion and King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner, will speak at Saint Mary’s Tuesday, Oct. 11, about “Hard Work, Perseverance and Giving Back.” The SMU community is invited to have dinner with Podein at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. His presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Common Room.

The event is sponsored by Student Life. For more information, call Nikki Richmond, at Ext. 1643.

Cochran to present next biology seminar

Dr. Phil Cochran will present “Adaptive Management of Timber Rattlesnakes in Southeastern Minnesota” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in Room 112 of Hoffman Hall.

Chris Kendall to perform at Winona Arts Center

Chris Kendall and the Coulee Kings (Mark Gunderson and Tom Moncrieff) combine forces for an evening of musical story telling Saturday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5.

SMU alum to host upcoming children’s workshop

SMU alumna Emerald Hulsing will lead an upcoming children’s workshop on Goyataku, the art of fish printing Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Boats and Bluegrass Festival on Prairie Island. No preregistration is required. The event is open to all children and their parents. Children under the age of 8 must have a parent/adult accompanying them.

Cancer benefit for Jim Klinger is Oct. 22

A cancer benefit will be held for Jim Klinger, (Maintenance Department) at 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, at the Witoka Ballroom. The event will include a live and silent auction, bake sale and chicken dinner.

If you would like to help with the benefit by volunteering that day, baking for the bake sale or by donating items, contact Nikki Richmond Ext. 1643 or Sandy Moger at Ext. 1436.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. will perform 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at Signature’s Restaurant and from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Hoiland Mill in Rushford.

Dance Repertory Company II auditions are Sept. 17

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct auditions for the Dance Repertory Company II winter concert, at noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Auditions are open to beginning- and intermediate-level dance students ages 5 to 13. Boys and girls will be cast in concert dance pieces in one or more of the following genres: classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance.

Parents are asked to accompany children to the audition and bring a photo of their child and planning calendars. Auditioning students should wear proper dance attire.

The DRC II will present winter concerts, Dec. 2-3, 2011 at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre. The concert will feature the DRC II members who train at MCA, as well as the MCA high school and college students in their choreographic debuts, presenting their own works as part of their semester-long choreography class.

Dance Repertory Company and the DRC II are the youth performing troupes of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes (which began Sept. 12) and stage performances.

For more information about the DRC II or other programs, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5500.

Mississippi River cleanup is Saturday

The 31st annual Mississippi River Revival cleanup is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Latsch Island. A free lunch will be provided.

Participants are asked to wear gloves and old clothes. Boats are needed.

The cleanup starts at Latsch Island Beach. Volunteers will go out in boats and remove trash and pollutants such as treated wood, discarded tires and metals from islands, shorelines and dikes.

Saint Mary’s plans third annual Young Alumni Weekend

Saint Mary’s graduates from the past decade have been invited back to campus for Young Alumni Reunion Weekend, Sept. 9-11.

Over 150 alumni are expected to attend the weekend of events which will include a faculty and staff social, a young alumni gathering at Mulligan’s, ropes course activities, a barbecue with live music on the Plaza, disc golfing and a pig roast picnic. Additionally, special events are planned for the anniversary years of 2001 and 2006. The weekend also coincides with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving SMU alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

For more information about the Young Alumni Program, please contact Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu. To read more about this event, or to register, go to www.smumn.edu/yaweekend.

Three to be inducted to Sports Hall of Fame Sept. 10

The Saint Mary’s Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Alumni Office, will induct three members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame during a special ceremony Saturday, Sept. 10, in the gymnasium.

Nate DeMars ’98 and Frank Savino ’98 were linemates for the Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team for four years. The third member of this year’s Class of 2011 inductees is John Redpath ’80, a standout for the Saint Mary’s hockey teams of the late ’70s, and also DeMars’ uncle.

In their four years together, Savino and DeMars were one of the most prolific, goal-scoring duos in the country. The two combined for 377 points and rank second (DeMars) and third (Savino) to Andre Beaulieu in career points.

A four-year letterwinner, Savino was named to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team in each of his four years as a Cardinal. Savino’s junior year was one for the record books, as he compiled 40 goals and 62 points — both ranked No. 5 all-time in the program’s history — while earning MIAC Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors. In his four years at SMU, Savino ranks No. 3 all-time in career goals (111) and career points (111).

Also a four-year letterwinner, DeMars earned All-MIAC First-Team honors three times, while also being named Second Team All-American during his junior season, when he posted 40 assists — the fourth-best single-season assist total in program history — and finished a point behind Savino with 61. DeMars closed out his collegiate career as SMU’s all-time assist leader (108), while ranking second in career points (189) and fifth in career goals (81).

Redpath earned First-Team All-MIAC honors in both his junior and senior seasons, while also being named an NAIA First-Team All-American during his senior season. Redpath, a four-year letterwinner, finished among the top 20 in SMU history in single-season goals (23) and points (51).

Other activities included in Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, Sept. 9-11, will include athletic awards, golf, alumni games, a social, and a picnic.

Terrance Simien kicks off Page Series Sept. 16

The 25th season of the Page Series will kick off with the sweet southern sounds of Louisiana with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Friday, Sept. 16, at Saint Mary’s.

The event, set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m., will be held in Page Theatre.

Incorporating his hypnotic blend of Zydeco, New Orleans funk, and reggae-flavored Afro-Caribbean sound, Terrance Simien aims to propel you out of your seat and have you dancing in the aisles.

For more than two decades the Grammy-award winning artist, an eighth-generation Louisiana Creole, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Creole Zydeco music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience Band, Simien has become one of the most respected and internationally recognized touring and recording artists in roots music today.

He has performed over 5,000 concerts, toured to over 40 countries and reached at least a million people during his eventful 25-year career. In December of 2009, Disney Pictures released a Pixar animated film, “The Princess & The Frog,” set in New Orleans, which was scored by Randy Newman and features the music of Simien, Terence Blanchard and Dr. John.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. $10 student rush tickets may be available for some events 20 minutes before curtain.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

O’Shea completes musical Mass setting

Dr. Patrick O'Shea, associate professor of music, recently completed a new musical setting of the Mass titled “Mass of the Mediatrix.”

With the revision of the text of the Roman Missal to be implemented in Advent, the need is great for musical settings that incorporate the numerous changes. O’Shea's setting may be performed by a simple cantor and piano or organ, or with a full choir and additional instruments, making it accessible in a wide range of parish and other liturgical contexts.

In service to the Church, the musical setting is being distributed free of charge for all non-profit uses. Musical scores, instrumental parts, pew cards, and audio files may be downloaded from the resource page that Dr. O’Shea has set up for the Mass of the Mediatrix: www.poshea.com/scores/mediatrix.php.

Galleries to show ‘Inspired by Japan’

The first gallery art exhibition of the season, “Inspired by Japan,” opened Thursday in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. This exhibition brings together 60 printmakers from around the world in a show that will run concurrent with several other venues including South Africa, Japan, Poland, Michigan and Oregon.

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of this year, artists and printmakers gathered to produce a suite of prints titled “Inspired by Japan.”

For several centuries, Japan has been famous for the Ukiyo-e style of woodcut printmaking. Sixty artists who work in the relief form of printing (carving away parts of the woodblock, and printing the raised portion) produced limited-edition prints to be donated and sold to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan.

Placement audition for WAYS youth choir is Sept. 12

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct placement auditions for Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St.

WAYS is seeking students in grades four through eight who have been introduced to choir/music in their academic school setting and desire additional educational and performance opportunities in vocal music.

Throughout the semester, the choir will rehearse on Mondays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Performances will include the annual MCA Winter Music Division Concert on Dec. 5, as well as holiday caroling and other community events.

WAYS is directed by Lindsy O’Shea of the SMU Music Department.

Interested students may register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

WAYS is offered tuition-free for the 2011-2012 academic year. This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. This activity is also made possible in part by a grant from the Young Singers’ Foundation.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5500.

Chris Kendall to perform at Winona Arts Center

Chris Kendall and the Coulee Kings (Mark Gunderson and Tom Moncrieff) combine forces for an evening of musical story telling Saturday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5.

SMU alum to host upcoming children’s workshop

SMU alumna Emerald Hulsing will lead an upcoming children’s workshop on Goyataku, the art of fish printing Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Boats and Bluegrass Festival on Prairie Island. No preregistration is required.

The event is open to all children and their parents. Children under the age of 8 must have a parent/adult accompanying them.

Cancer benefit for Jim Klinger is Oct. 22

A cancer benefit will be held for Jim Klinger, (Maintenance Department) at 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, at the Witoka Ballroom. The event will include a live and silent auction, bake sale and chicken dinner.

If you would like to help with the benefit by volunteering that day, baking for the bake sale or by donating items, contact Nikki Richmond Ext. 1643 or Sandy Moger at Ext. 1436.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. will perform 6 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 9, at Signature’s Restaurant.

Dance Repertory Company II auditions are Sept. 17

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct auditions for the Dance Repertory Company II winter concert, at noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Auditions are open to beginning- and intermediate-level dance students ages 5 to 13. Boys and girls will be cast in concert dance pieces in one or more of the following genres: classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance.

Parents are asked to accompany children to the audition, bring a photo of their child, and planning calendars. Auditioning students should wear proper dance attire.

The DRC II will present winter concerts, Dec. 2-3, 2011 at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre. The concert will feature the DRC II members who train at MCA, as well as the MCA high school and college students in their choreographic debuts, presenting their own works as part of their semester-long choreography class.

Dance Repertory Company and the DRC II are the youth performing troupes of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes (starting Sept. 12, 2011) and stage performances. Past productions of the company include: The Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Cinderella, Excerpts from Swan Lake, Cinderella, Youth In Motion, Tappin' to Connick, Pure Entertainment, Dance Mosaic, and An Evening with Benny Goodman, among others.

For more information about the DRC II or other programs offered at MCA, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5500.

Lallaman to present first biology seminar

Joshua Lallaman will present the first biology seminar of the year, “American Behemoth: the North American Paddlefish” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in Room 112 of Hoffman Hall. Lallaman was recently on the National Geographic Channel’s program “Monster Fish.”

100 SMU students to volunteer in Winona community Saturday

About 100 students from Saint Mary’s — 78 of whom are new to the community — will serve eight organizations in Winona on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m.

New Student Volunteer Day is dedicated to providing new students with the opportunity to serve the people of Winona, and to be inspired by the Lasallian spirit early in their college careers.

Students will be volunteering at Grace Place, Habitat Restore, Lake Winona Manor, Winona Area Humane Society, YMCA, Winona Parks and Recreation, Outdoor Leadership at SMU, and Salvation Army Thrift Store. In collaboration with Park and Rec, students will be taking video, naming trails and doing trail maintenance. With the other groups, they will also be cleaning, painting, hauling, playing BINGO and tending to animals, among other activities.

Low to headline Saturday at ‘Off the Page’ event

As part of this year’s SMU “Off the Page” lineup, musical artists Low, Ben Weaver and The Morning Foreign will perform Saturday, Sept. 3. The Off-the-Page Series features a variety of Minnesota talent, hosted by Saint Mary’s at easily accessible venues around Winona.

These three popular music ensembles promise to fill the historic Masonic Temple, 5th and Main streets, with the sounds of today’s generations. Tickets for the event, which will begin at 7 p.m., are $20 for adults or $15 for students and seniors.

The musical group Low was formed in 1993 in Duluth. They quickly gained a following for their use of slow tempos and minimalist arrangements in what others have dubbed the “slowcore” movement. The striking harmonies of founding members Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker are perhaps the distinctive element for which the group is best remembered. Their debut album, “I Could Live In Hope,” was released in 1994. They currently have nine full-length recordings with numerous EPs and live recordings. Their tour this year includes stops at Radio City Music Hall, New York; First Avenue, Minneapolis; Queens Social Club, Bristol, England; Primavera Festival, Barcelona; Lido, Berlin; and the Barbican London.

Ben Weaver grew up in Saint Paul and has a distinctive voice that some have likened to Tom Waits. His first album, “El Camino Blues,” featured Greg Brown and Tony Glover. He now has seven releases and his most recent, “Mirepoix and Smoke,” was inspired by his time with a farm-to-table restaurant in Minneapolis.

The Morning Foreign is a Winona-based group that has recently been seen at Midwest Music Fest, the Winona Art Center, and Ed’s. Playing original tunes written by SMU senior Benjamin Scott, the group dabbles with jazz influenced pop, with a cello thrown in for good measure.

To order tickets, go online to www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Saint Mary’s plans third annual Young Alumni Weekend

Saint Mary’s graduates from the past decade have been invited back to campus for Young Alumni Reunion Weekend, Sept. 9-11.

Over 150 alumni are expected to attend the full weekend of events which will include a faculty and staff social, a young alumni gathering at Mulligan’s, ropes course activities, a barbecue with live music on the Plaza, disc golfing and a pig roast picnic. Additionally, special events are planned for the anniversary years of 2001 and 2006. The weekend also coincides with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving SMU alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

For more information about the Young Alumni Program, please contact Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu. To read more about this event, or to register, go www.smumn.edu/yaweekend.

Three to be inducted to Sports Hall of Fame Sept. 10

The Saint Mary’s Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Alumni Office, will induct three members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame during a special ceremony Saturday, Sept. 10, in the gymnasium.

Nate DeMars ’98 and Frank Savino ’98 were more than linemates for the Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team for four years — they were like inseparable brothers. Add to that the third member of this year’s Class of 2011 inductee, John Redpath ’80, and the familial ties become even greater — after all, Redpath was not only a standout for the Saint Mary’s hockey teams of the late ’70s, but he’s also DeMars’ uncle.

In their four years together, Savino and DeMars were one of the most prolific, goal-scoring duos in the country. The two combined for a jaw-dropping 377 points and rank second (DeMars) and third (Savino) to the great Andre Beaulieu in career points.

A four-year letterwinner, Savino was named to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team in each of his four years as a Cardinal. Savino’s junior year was one for the record books, as he compiled 40 goals and 62 points — both ranked No. 5 all-time in the program’s history — while earning MIAC Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors. In his four years at SMU, Savino ranks No. 3 all-time in career goals (111) and career points (111).

And as impressive as Savino’s numbers were, his four-year linemates were equally as impressive.

Also a four-year letterwinner, DeMars earned All-MIAC First-Team honors three times, while also being named Second Team All-American during his junior season, when he posted 40 assists — the fourth-best single-season assist total in program history — and finished a point behind Savino with 61. DeMars closed out his collegiate career as SMU’s all-time assist leader (108), while ranking second in career points (189) and fifth in career goals (81).

Not to be outdone by his nephew, Redpath made a name for himself, earning First-Team All-MIAC honors in both his junior and senior seasons, while also being named an NAIA First-Team All-American during his senior season. Redpath, a four-year letterwinner, finished among the top 20 in SMU history in single-season goals (23) and points (51).

Other activities included in Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, Sept. 9-11, will include athletic awards, golf, alumni games, a social, and a picnic.

Placement audition for WAYS scheduled for Sept. 12

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct placement auditions for Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St.

WAYS is seeking students in grades four through eight who have been introduced to choir/music in their academic school setting and desire additional educational and performance opportunities in vocal music.

Throughout the semester, the choir will rehearse on Mondays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Performances will include the annual MCA Winter Music Division Concert on Dec. 5, as well as holiday caroling and other community events.

WAYS is directed of the SMU Music Department.

Registration for WAYS, as well as other MCA semester I dance and music programming, will be accepted at the MCA registration open house, Thursday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. Interested students may also register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

WAYS is offered tuition-free for the 2011-2012 academic year. This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. This activity is also made possible in part by a grant from the Young Singers’ Foundation.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

MCA announces registration open house Sept. 8

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct its semester I registration open house, 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Registration for Semester I dance and music programming will be accepted at the open house. Tours of the facility will be available, refreshments will be served, and students will have the opportunity to meet new and returning faculty and staff. Additionally, students can be fitted for all their dance attire needs at the open house. MCA’s dance attire boutique offers quality basics for children including leotards, tights, ballet slippers, jazz shoes and tap shoes.

Dance class offerings, beginning Sept. 12, are available for youth ages 3 to adults and include beginning through advanced levels in classical ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement and modern, hip hop, leaps and turns, choreography, and a special tuition-free boys’ and men’s dance program. Semester I also provides programming specifically for beginning teens and adults by offering classes in partnership with Winona County Community Education, including: clogging I, clogging II, nia, power piyo, teen and adult ballet, and teen and adult tap and jazz. Parents who have a child enrolled in a dance or music class at MCA may participate in an adult class or choir tuition-free through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness program.

Academic credit is available to high school and college students through Cotter High School and Saint Mary’s University for a variety of MCA classes. Beginning and intermediate dancers ages 5 to 13 are encouraged to audition for MCA’s Dance Repertory Company II winter concert, offering exciting performance opportunities for MCA’s young performers in a nurturing and rigorous but non-competitive environment. Auditions are noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Valéncia Arts Center.

MCA music division offerings include Creative Music for children ages 3 to 4 years old, Winona Area Youth Singers for students in grades four to eight, a flute choir for teens age 16 to adults, and private instrumental lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, cello, piano, voice and mandolin.

MCA Semester II music and dance programming provides five to 12 weeks of instruction depending on specific course/activity. Dance classes conclude with a demonstration week, Nov. 14-19. Dancers in the Dance Repertory Company II will perform in the MCA Winter Dance Concert, Dec. 2-3. Winona Area Youth Singers, members of the MCA flute choir and selected instrumental lesson students will conclude the semester with the MCA music division winter concert, Dec. 5. Tuition for MCA programming varies depending on course length and level. Discounts and scholarships are available.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

MCA offers tuition-free flute choir to students/faculty/staff

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts announces a new flute choir, tuition-free to SMU students, faculty, and staff for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The flute choir is open to all community flutists from ages 16 to adult. All ability levels are welcome. The choir will rehearse on Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St.

Throughout the semester, the choir will rehearse and perform a variety of music from serious recital pieces to fun, seasonal favorites. Performances will include the annual MCA Winter Music Division Concert on December 5, as well as other community events.

Registration for the Flute Choir will be accepted at the MCA registration open house, Thursday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. Interested flutists may also register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

The MCA Flute Choir is directed by Amanda Moburg. Moburg has extensive experience teaching band and orchestra in the public school system, as well as private flute lessons. In addition to teaching and adjudicating, she has many years of performing experience as a freelance musician in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Some of her most notable performances were at the Washington Flute Society's annual conference and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She has held positions as a flutist with the Annapolis Wind Symphony, Columbia Concert Band, and, most recently, the Winona Municipal Band and Saint Mary’s Concert Band.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. This activity is also made possible in part by a grant from the Young Singer’s Foundation.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Saint Mary’s international students tour town on trolley

On Aug. 29, Saint Mary’s newest international students were invited to take a tour of Winona on the Trester Trolley. For most of the students, who arrived in Minnesota last week, this is their first time in the United States. Highlights along the way included the Minnesota Equestrian Center, Garvin Heights Elk Ranch, Garvin Heights Vineyards, the Garvin Heights look-out, and Prairie Island Park. SMU’s new international students this semester come from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Poland, China and Canada and include, from left: front, Musab Alotaibi (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Hadi (Saudi Arabia), Hussain Alqushairi (Saudi Arabia), Kanae Agena (Japan), Mohanna Aloufi (Saudi Arabia), Jesus Benavides Hernandez (Colombia), Ilham Albalawi (Saudi Arabia); back, Jane Cyrus (staff), Brit Wagner (staff), Tiantian He (China), Mohammed Alharbi (Saudi Arabia), Hamad Alzahrani (Saudi Arabia), Mustafa Alnofaily (Saudi Arabia), Anas Almowallad (Saudi Arabia), Mohanned Naquib (Saudi Arabia), Bader Albalawi (Saudi Arabia), Lupita Garza-Cienfuegos (staff) and Zainab Alnemer (Saudi Arabia).

Chris Kendall to perform at Winona Arts Center

Chris Kendall and the Coulee Kings (Mark Gunderson and Tom Moncrieff) combine forces for an evening of musical story telling Saturday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5.

SMU alum to host upcoming children’s workshop

SMU alumna Emerald Hulsing will lead an upcoming children’s workshop on Goyataku, the art of fish printing Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Boats and Bluegrass Festival on Prairie Island. No preregistration is required.

The event is open to all children and their parents. Children under the age of 8 must have a parent/adult accompanying them.

Children will learn the basics of relief printing using rubber fish. Traditionally done using real fish — dead ones — Goyataku is a traditional form of Japanese fish printing, dating from the mid-1800s. Originally used by fishermen to record their catches, Gyotaku is now practiced as an art form, and is very popular among young children both in Japan and Western countries.

Cancer benefit for Jim Klinger is Oct. 22

A cancer benefit will be held for Jim Klinger, (Maintenance Department) at 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22, at the Witoka Ballroom. The event will include a live and silent auction, bake sale and chicken dinner.

If you would like to help with the benefit by volunteering that day, baking for the bake sale or by donating items, contact Nikki Richmond Ext. 1643 or Sandy Moger at Ext. 1436.

Tickets will be available in a few weeks.

News from Nairobi

The Maryknoll Institute of African Studies (MIASMU) is offering three-day courses to either introduce participants to African mindset, attitudes, ideas and values or to foster updating and renewal. The two courses “Introduction to African Cultures and Religion” and “Intermediate Course on African Cultures and Religion” will run from September 5-7.

The foundational course is designed to give students a “taste” of the MIAS educational process by introducing them to fundamental structures of contemporary African cultures, religion and the political and economic realities of Kenya. Those who take this course often register later for regular courses.

The intermediate course on African Cultures and Religion is designed for returning MIASMU students for renewal and updating and focuses on specific areas of African cultures, naming, family lineage, moral teachings of African religion, and Kenyan economic structures.

The target group for both courses is personnel, whether African or non African, engaged in pastoral, educational, medical and developmental projects who have not done any systematic study of African cultures or, in the case of the intermediate course, who are returning MIASMU students for updating and renewal. In all cases, the participants do not have time to do full courses.

Fox receives Dominican Alumnae Award

Sister Patrice, O.P., principal of Rosary High School, left, Dr. Mary Fox and Mary's mother, Toni Fox.

Mary Catherine Fox, Ph.D. professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, received the 2011 Dominican Alumnae Award for Professional Excellence from the Rosary High School Alumnae Association, in Aurora, Ill. The award recognizes lifetime career achievement and was presented at the school’s Candle-Rose ceremony in May, 2011.

The citation noted Dr. Fox’s accomplishments in the competitive telecommunications industry, as well as her work as dean of the School of Business, vice president of university relations and as a professor at SMU. Particular mention was made of Dr. Fox’s Lasallian work with the Brothers of the Christian Schools in both domestic and international venues.

History book prizes announced

Since 1995, the Saint Mary’s Department of History has awarded book prizes to recognize students for outstanding work in history courses. The following students were chosen for their work during Spring Semester, 2011:

John Soucheray and Matthew Kotek won the book prizes for H125 Europe and the World, and Mike Anderson won in H150 American Experience.

David Spriegel won the book prize for H311 U.S. Foreign Relations.

Book prizes for H365 Early Modern Europe went to both Loren Galloway and Allison Wildenborg, who shared the top honor.

Peter McColl was honored for his work in H357 History of Rock and Roll, and Pawel Szczepkowski won the prize in H368 Contemporary Europe.

Graduating senior Benjamin Eirikson was awarded the prize for his work in H461 Historical Research and Writing.

‘Putting on the Fitz’ is Sept. 8

Faculty and staff are invited to the fifth annual Putting on the Fitz Thursday, Sept. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. (Come when you can, leave when you wish.) Refreshments will be served.

Chat with SMU senior David Spriegel, and see photocopies of the Lincoln documents he found while on a summer internship at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

You can also see a display of the “bookmark collection” (interesting items found in returned books over the years), check out new mobile apps, learn what Mosio is, or request an instruction session or electronic research guide for your course.

Saint Mary’s is ‘Going Google’

During the last year, the university has been running a pilot of GoogleApps to assess its use for the university. The pilot process has been a successful one with 250 students, faculty and staff from across the university participating.

Pilot users enjoy the new user experience, especially the greatly increased e-mail storage, collaboration, calendaring and connecting to mobile devices. In late July, the final step of having university counsel review the GoogleApps contract for compliance with needs for security, privacy and e-mail retention was completed.

Information Technology will start the transition process to move all current staff, faculty and students to the SMUMN GoogleApps system this fall.

Please watch for information from Information Technology in the HelpDesk Newsletter and e-mails for details on when your account will be migrating to the new system. The intent is to have all current faculty, staff and student accounts with existing @smumn.edu addresses created on the GoogleApps System by the end of August to allow for immediate use of the collaboration tools. Additionally, the process for transitioning e-mail to the new system will be started, with the intent of having all current faculty, staff and administration e-mail migrated by Thanksgiving and current students receiving new messages by January 2012.