Conservatory news

River North Dance to host ballet master class

On Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host the River North Dance Company for a ballet master class. This talented company will perform Nov. 20 as part of the Page Series.

Admission is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Register by e-mailing mca@smumn.edu, or call 453-5500.

Fight Club: Stage Combat 101

Have you ever felt the need to slap your scene partner?  We know how you feel. Violence is a part of the life we create on stage, and there isn’t always a fight choreographer to help. Actors and directors need to know how to tell a clear story with violence and how to perform it safely. In this workshop, participants will learn basic principles of unarmed stage combat that will help create simple, safe, and effective violence on stage. Dress to move.

Class is Monday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 6:30 p.m for youth ages 10 to 18 ($10) and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for those 18 and older ($1).

Fall music concert Nov. 15

On Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will hold its Fall Music Division Concert at the Figliulo Recital Hall on the Saint Mary’s University campus. The concert will showcase the jazz combos and a variety of private lesson students. The community is invited to come and support these talented young musicians.

Admission is a freewill donation, with all proceeds supporting the conservatory

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call 453-5500.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Cardinal Corner now open

The Cardinal Corner, under the management of the Saint Mary’s entrepreneurship class, is now open. The Cardinal Corner is a non-profit retail store located in the lower level of the  Toner Student Center.

Students choose products to sell in the store, garner donations from around campus, and sell items for on-campus organizations as part of a course within the entrepreneurship major. Each semester the members of the class choose a different beneficiary to receive the store’s profits.

SMU hosts Theatreworks USA with ‘Peter Pan’ Nov. 14

Audience members of all ages will enjoy a unique retelling of the classic tale “Peter Pan” as Theatreworks USA takes the Page Theatre stage Thursday, Nov. 14, at Saint Mary’s.

This Page Series offering will begin at 6:30 p.m.

A story within a story, this version of “Peter Pan” is an adapted version of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale created by John Caird and Trevor Nunn. The performance begins with a group of children in turn-of-the-century London who use their imaginations — and some props from their room — to reenact the story of Peter Pan. This story empowers children to create their own world of make-believe. As the children fly to Neverland and escape the evil Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, they recognize the importance of friendship as well as the value of being part of a family.

Theatreworks USA often visits the Page stage; last season they performed “Bunnicula.” Since their founding in 1961, they have presented more than 90 million children and their families with opportunities to enjoy their theatrical productions in 49 states and Canada.

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

Winona National Bank is also sponsoring this performance.

Vitek to speak Nov. 5

John Vitek, president and CEO of Saint Mary’s Press, will present “A Future Without Books ... and why that’s good for us” Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The event, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the President’s Room, is co-sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society, and Writing Services from the Student Success Center.

For more information, contact Carolyn Ayers at Ext. 1523 or cayers@smumn.edu.

Support SMU during ‘Give to the Max Day’

Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise millions of dollars for thousands of nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – from midnight through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 14.

Last year during Give to the Max Day, Saint Mary’s University finished fifth in the state, raising $68,561 with 318 gifts.

Help Saint Mary’s in the “Race for 1st Place” as it competes against other Minnesota colleges and universities to win prizes.

First place (the group or organization raising the most money) takes home an extra $10,000. The top 10 place finishers get an added bonus.

Additionally, 24 “Golden Tickets” ($1,000 prizes) will be given randomly every hour. One “Golden Ticket” worth $10,000 will be given at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Schools that raise the most money during each of the five power hours will also win a bonus $1,000 prize grant. Make gifts during 2 to 2:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 p.m., 6 to 6:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m. to help SMU’s odds.

Go online anytime to giveMN.org to schedule your gift for Nov. 14. Your gift can be broken into smaller amounts to increase Saint Mary’s chances of winning extra prizes.

Be a part of the excitement (and the competition). Show your Cardinal pride by making a gift on Nov. 14!

In the News

Here are just some of the ways SMU is making headlines this week:

The Winona Daily News and KTTC TV of Rochester covered our Halloween Fun Night Monday. Go to bit.ly/19SV7NM and bit.ly/19OjCM3.

The Winona Daily News ran an article about the role college tours play as potential students are choosing their future schools. Go to
http://bit.ly/17S6gv3 to read more.

Invitation to participate in veterans service Nov. 11

Anyone within the SMU community who has served our country is invited to e-mail your name, years of service and branch of service to alumni@smumn.edu. Everyone is invited to participate in the annual ceremony 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in recognition of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial. If you are interested in participating or bringing a class to this event, please also e-mail alumni@smumn.edu.

Panel to discuss human trafficking in Minnesota

Three young women from the Philippines were rescued from the sex industry where many end up after they are trafficked. They are now living in a shelter where they are provided an education and counseling so they can regain their childhoods.

Human trafficking occurs in every Minnesota county, and the Twin Cities are one of the 15 largest trafficking centers in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Nov. 13, a panel of experts from throughout the state will gather at Saint Mary’s University’s Winona campus to discuss “Sold: Human Trafficking in Minnesota and Beyond” including:

•    global aspects of trafficking;

•    human rights, especially women’s and children’s issues;

•    impact on rural and urban Minnesota;

•    how to talk about the issue; and

•    initiatives underway to combat trafficking.

Panelists will include Dennis Cusick, Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute; Sister Marlys Jax, Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights; Michele Garnett McKenzie, Advocates for Human Rights; and Grant Snyder, Minneapolis Police Department. The moderator will be Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the Under-Told Stories Project at Saint Mary’s University and a correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

The event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. The public is invited, and refreshments will be provided. Register online at www.smumn.edu/SOLD.

The same event will be held on SMU’s Twin Cities campus Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s University Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis.

This event is made possible by the Under-Told Stories Project as seen on the PBS NewsHour, and is sponsored by the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Kabara speaker Oct. 25 to talk about entrepreneurship

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies  will present the next event of the fall 2013 speaker series today, Friday, Oct. 25.

A successful entrepreneur, Mark Schweiger has led and managed various teams to success. He will share some of his experiences with students from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in the Common Room. The event is also sponsored by the Department of Business, the Envision Club and the Business and Public Relations Club.

Schweiger is co-founder of Sologear LLC, located in Middleton, Wis. Sologear developed a proprietary fuel technology and he leads the sales, marketing and strategy functions. Prior to Sologear, he co-founded another company that was sold to a Fortune 500 firm. His background includes an MBA from the UW-Madison and progressive marketing management positions with Smucker’s and Kraft Foods.

Schweiger has served several religious organizations in roles that include children’s ministry leader, church deacon, church elder and Christian school board chair. He was co-chair of a capital campaign for UW Hospital cancer research and was a member of the advisory board for the UW Entrepreneurship Association. He feels truly honored to be part of the Care Net board.

Students to stage comedy ‘The Government Inspector’

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the satirical comedy “The Government Inspector” Nov. 7-10 at Page Theatre. Shows run 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

The news that a government inspector is due to arrive in a small Russian town sends its bureaucrats into a panicked frenzy. A simple case of mistaken identity exposes the hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the town in this biting moral satire. Witty, smart and wildly satirical, this timely and spirited adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic play exposes the corruption of a provincial town with biting hilarity.

Guest director Gale Childs Daly has served as the text coach for the Great River Shakespeare Festival since its inception in 2006. The actor, director, teacher, writer and dialect/text coach is from Milwaukee, Wis.

The play was selected to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty.  Although Russian comedies are known to be dreary and heavy, “The Government Inspector” — adapted by Minnesota playwright Jeffrey Hatcher — is both modern and funny. 

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and area available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 28

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 13th annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park. 

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, 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 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

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

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

The 17th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-26 and 30-31 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.

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.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.

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 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

Dance Repertory Company celebrates 40 years

The Dance Repertory Company, celebrating 40 years of dance, will host special events in connection with the spring concert 7:30 p.m. April 25 and 3 p.m. April 26 at Page Theatre. A reunion reception will begin at 9:30 p.m. to midnight at Green Mill Restaurant, following the April 25 performance. A free breakfast and tours of the Valéncia Arts Center will be held April 26. Reconnect with fellow dancers and alumni. Free adult and children’s dance workshops will be held the morning of April 26 at the Valéncia Arts Center. Commemorative pieces and memorabilia will be sold to benefit a scholarship fund. For more information, call 453-5500 or go to www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

‘Make a Difference Day’ and ‘Lasallian Day of Service’ are Oct. 26

Make a Difference Day

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is 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 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

“Make a Difference Day” is a 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 sixth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

Lasallian Day of Service

Also on Oct. 26, alumni are invited to participate in the fifth annual Lasallian Day of Service. This is a day that allows alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others. 

The alumni association has established a volunteer site for the Winona area at the CSTea House, 357 Gould St.

The CSTea House is the home of the College of Saint Teresa Alumnae Association. It is located next to Lourdes Hall and adjacent to the Chapel of the Angels and the Alverna Center. Fifteen volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to organize and clean the basement.

Sites have also been confirmed in the Chicago, Twin Cities, Saint Louis and Denver, Colo., areas. Alumni who reside outside these locations have been encouraged to arrange their own service project(s).  A record number of 200 alumni volunteers have already registered.

For more information go to:  www.mysmumn.org/LDOS13.

Alumnus returns to SMU for exhibit titled ‘Excessibility’

Las Vegas artist and 1994 Saint Mary’s alumnus Todd VonBastiaans — along with friend and colleague Bryan McCarthy — are curating the Saint Mary’s University exhibit, “Excessibility.”

The show, which depicts luxury and celebrity accessibility is subtitled, “Access 2 Excess” and features works from 1939 to 2013, including Banksy, Ed Ruscha, Sol Lewitt and Andy Warhol. VonBastiaans and McCarthy are also displaying their new pancake pillows.

“Excessibility” will run through Nov. 10 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the show is free and open to the public.

Special Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest is Oct. 31

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween costume now; get your office or department together and vie for the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy. The last costume contest winners, the Business Office, aren’t going to give it up easily!

This is the SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let’s Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser.

This year’s winner will be able to direct their $500 winnings to their choice of the following worthy causes: Winona Food Shelf, scholarships at SMU, SMU in Jamaica, Habitat for Humanity, the First-Generation Initiative or the Red Cross.

The lunch, hosted by the Student Success Center and I.T., will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are welcome!

It’ll be a frightfully good time; ghoul be glad you came!

Blue Angel is Nov. 1-2

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel    2013. This year’s performances are Friday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 and 10 p.m. You may receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice by contacting Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu.

Lawing to display work in Decorah, Winona

“Elegant Decay,”new work by Preston Lawing of the Art and Design Department, is on display at the ArtHaus Gallery in Decorah, Iowa. This exhibition moves to Winona with an opening reception Nov. 5 at the Lyon Smith Gallery, 199 E. 3rd St.

Theatre students perform in London

Saint Mary’s University theatre majors, under the direction of Dr. Gary Diomandes, are staging the tragic play, “The Triangle Factory Fire Project,” Oct. 22-26 at TARA Studio in London.

“1 CIGARETTE, 28 MINUTES, 148 DEAD”

On Saturday, March 25, 1911 at Triangle Waist Factory off downtown Manhattan's Washington Square, 500 immigrant workers from Poland, Russia and Italy are toiling 14-hour days making lady’s dresses. Suddenly, a cigarette is tossed into a bin of fabric scraps.

Despite desperate efforts, flames sweep through the eighth, ninth and 10th floors. Panic-stricken workers run in all directions. On the ninth floor, some make it to the fire escape, only to have it collapse beneath their weight. Others run to the exit door but find it locked—many, including the soon-to-be-married Margaret Schwartz, die with their hands on the doorknob. Dozens leap from the windows to their deaths, shocking the crowd of onlookers gathered below. And some, through bravery or sheer luck, make it out alive. In the space of 28 minutes, the fire is under control, but 146 people, mainly young immigrant girls, have died.

The Triangle Factory Fire Project uses eyewitness accounts, court transcripts and other archival material to create a dramatic moment-by-moment account of this historic fire and the social upheaval that followed. It culminates in the manslaughter trial of the owners, Isaac Harris and Max Blanck, whose shocking acquittal inspires new outrage across New York and the entire country, the repercussions of which shaped social, political and economic policies for decades to come. By using real words spoken by real people, from Ukrainian seamstresses to millionaire Fifth Avenue socialites, The Triangle Factory Fire Project paints a heartbreakingly clear picture of a disastrous day in American history and explores the human toll such a tragedy takes on us all.

Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary’s are studying theatre in London, England, this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program. Under the guidance of Saint Mary’s faculty, the program includes a variety of classes in theatre, as well as courses focusing on broader enrichment. Students have the unique opportunity to attend numerous performances at London’s West End, Off-West End, and Fringe theatres.

For more information, go to http://tara-arts.com/whats-on/the-triangle-factory-fire-project.

Tristano publishes article

Richard Tristano, Department of History, published an article “’In the Guise of History:” History and Poetry in Cinquecento Italy;” which can be found in Viator 44, No. 3 (2013), 369-396.

Events designed to assist undecided majors

Students at Saint Mary's had an opportunity Oct. 22 to explore majors at a unique fair led by students for students.

The event drew 45 students, mostly freshmen and sophomores, who were looking for a variety of information. This fair was geared toward students who are not happy about their majors, are undecided majors, are trying to choose a minor, or are just first-year students looking for information.

Sixty-five student representatives from all majors participated.  These students were recommended by their department chairs as individuals who could best answer questions about their majors, their college experiences and their career plans.

The fair encouraged meaningful peer-to-peer interaction, which research shows is a primary factor in student retention.


Attendee Natalia Shupe said, "I was impressed that the students were dressed professionally and were friendly and helpful. They were excited about sharing information about their majors, and they helped answer my questions."

Another opportunity for students to get information will be at the Undeclared Majors Retreat scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Hillside Hall. There is no cost to attend, and a free lunch will be provided. This event will help students wondering what they are being called to do, those who are not sure they’re in the right major, or those who wonder what major to declare. Students are asked to register by Oct. 31 to student success@smumn.edu, in person at 70 Griffin Hall or by calling Ext. 8737.

Both of these events are part of iPath, a series for undecided students, hosted by the Student Success Center.

Fact Book available online

The Office of Institutional Research presents the Saint Mary’s University Fact Book 2012-2013.  The SMU Fact Book is a compilation of historical and current data designed to facilitate internal communication, provide data to use in decision-making, planning and improvement efforts, and answer frequently asked questions about the university.
 
An online version of the Fact Book is available at www.smumn.edu/welcome-tobrst-marys/offices-services/institutional-research.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 28

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 13th annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park. 

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, 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 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

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

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

The 17th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-26 and 30-31 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.

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.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.

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 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

SMU hosts Caravan du Nord Minnesota musicians Oct. 18

Night Moves

Saint Mary’s Off the Page Series will host an impressive lineup of talented Minnesota musicians as part of the “Caravan du Nord 2013” concert series today, Friday, Oct. 18.

In its third year, the Caravan du Nord concert tour starts Oct. 11 in Austin, with stops in Winona, St. Cloud and Detroit Lakes before ending in Red Wing on Nov. 16. Each event features live performances by artists in a wide range of genres.

The Winona lineup includes some of the most talked about up-and-coming artists — Night Moves, Southwire and Mike Munson — converging on the SMU Page Theatre stage, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Night Moves is based out of Minneapolis and has been receiving airtime on MPR’s The Current; they have been described by Spin magazine as “cosmically expansive and yet twangily intimate.” Southwire, from Duluth, has been praised by City Pages as providing “haunting melodies that sound like they have been carried on the winds of the past.” Winona’s own Mike Munson was recently on the nationally broadcast WPR show “Whad' Ya Know” and is regularly heard around town performing his blues-influenced solo guitar.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SMU Student Activity Committee is co-hosting this event.

Members of Night Moves and Minnesota’s top music industry professionals will provide insider insight about marketing, songwriting and more at a workshop Friday, Oct. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at Sum Some Studios, 168 E. 3rd St. The event is free and open to the public.

‘Make a Difference Day’ and ‘Lasallian Day of Service’ are Oct. 26

Make a Difference Day

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is 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 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

“Make a Difference Day” is a 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 sixth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

Lasallian Day of Service

Also on Oct. 26, alumni are invited to participate in the fifth annual Lasallian Day of Service. This is a day that allows alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others. 

The alumni association has established a volunteer site for the Winona area at the CSTea House, 357 Gould St.

The CSTea House is the home of the College of Saint Teresa Alumnae Association. It is located next to Lourdes Hall and adjacent to the Chapel of the Angels and the Alverna Center. Fifteen volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to organize and clean the basement.

Sites have also been confirmed in the Chicago, Twin Cities, Saint Louis and Denver, Colo., areas. Alumni who reside outside these locations have been encouraged to arrange their own service project(s).  A record number of 150 alumni volunteers have already registered.

For more information go to:  www.mysmumn.org/LDOS13.

Alumnus returns to SMU for exhibit titled ‘Excessibility’

Las Vegas artist and 1994 Saint Mary’s alumnus Todd VonBastiaans — along with friend and colleague Bryan McCarthy — are curating the Saint Mary’s University exhibit, “Excessibility.”

The show, which depicts luxury and celebrity accessibility is subtitled, “Access 2 Excess” and features works from 1939 to 2013, including Banksy, Ed Ruscha, Sol Lewitt and Andy Warhol. VonBastiaans and McCarthy are also displaying their new pancake pillows.

“Excessibility” will run through Nov. 10 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the show is free and open to the public.

Witness for Peace speaker on campus Oct. 22

A Witness for Peace speaker, Francisco Cerezo, will speak about “Lessons from the Mexican Human Rights Organization Comité Cerezo” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Common Room. The departments involved in hosting the event are Modern/Classical Languages, the First- Generation Initiative, the Political Science Department, and the Peace and Justice Club.

Francisco Cerezo will travel from Mexico City, where he has 11 years of experience fighting for the freedom of political prisoners. He is a founding member of Comité Cerezo.

Hear how U.S. drug war policies, gun laws and military aid are connected to increased violence, militarization, and political repression in Mexico over the last decade and what we can do to support sustainable peace and justice in Mexico.

Special Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest is Oct. 31

The 2009 winners followed the yellow brick road!

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween costume now; get your office or department together and vie for the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy. The last costume contest winners, the Business Office, aren’t going to give it up easily!

This is the SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let’s Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser.

This year’s winner will be able to direct their $500 winnings to their choice of the following worthy causes: Winona Food Shelf, scholarships at SMU, SMU in Jamaica, Habitat for Humanity, the First-Generation Initiative or the Red Cross.

The lunch, hosted by the Student Success Center and I.T., will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are welcome!

It’ll be a frightfully good time; ghoul be glad you came!

Blue Angel is Nov. 1-2

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel    2013. This year’s performances are Friday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 and 10 p.m. You may receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice by contacting Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu.

Flu shots available Tuesday

In coordination with Health Partners and Homeland Health Specialists, Saint Mary's University will again be offering a flu shot clinic on campus from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Saint Mary’s Room 115.

Lawing to display work in Decorah, Winona

“Elegant Decay,”new work by Preston Lawing of the Art and Design Department, is on display at the ArtHaus Gallery in Decorah, Iowa. This exhibition moves to Winona with an opening reception Nov. 5 at the Lyon Smith Gallery, 199 E. 3rd St.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here are some ways Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• Thursday’s Winona Daily News featured a story titled, “Winona colleges above the curve when it comes to loan defaults” — http://bit.ly/19Miojh

• Thursday’s Winona Daily News also ran a story titled, “Caravan of performers to stop in Winona on Friday” — http://bit.ly/17vSMF3

• The Winona Post, on Oct. 13, ran a release titled, “Saint Mary’s and U of M offer dual degree programs in chemistry, physics and engineering."

• Thursday’s Winona Daily News featured an article about Jamison Rusthoven, men’s basketball coach, in “Creating a Culture” — http://bit.ly/1cTI8zb

Conservatory, Marine Art Museum partner for jazz

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is hosting a special music division event in partnership with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Enjoy an evening of jazz inspired by artwork on display at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr. Walk through the museum and enjoy the various pieces of art from various time periods before listening to the Jazz Combos’ interpretations of them.

Michener publishes pieces

Christian Michener’s (English and Lasallian Honors) short story, “Ordinary Ghosts,” recently appeared in the literary magazine Image: Art, Faith, Mystery, and his essay on Caribbean poet Derek Walcott, “Uncertainty and Artistry: The Word and Words in Derek Walcott's Midsummer,” appears in The Midwest Quarterly. Michener’s poem, “The First Chapter in the Book of Squares,” was one of 20 works by local writers chosen to be given to artists as a way to inspire original works of painting or sculpture.  The artworks and their accompanying poems will be on display through the fall in La Crosse.

DeNotto publishes article

Mike DeNotto, instructional services librarian, had an article titled “QSL Cards: Archival Instruction with Radio Station Records at Denison University” published in The Ohio Archivist. The article is based on his work from his previous position at Denison University. The article discusses his digitization of radio- related archival material, archival instruction, the curricular impact of archives, and utilizing social media to enhance discoverability and interactivity with archival holdings. The article can be found at http://bit.ly/1fFYpIW.

Taste of Saudi Arabia is today

The Saint Mary’s community is invited to enjoy a “Taste of Saudi Arabia” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 18, in the Heights.

Arabic food, entertainment, music, and much  more is planned.

A freewill donation to help rebuild the Winona mosque that was destroyed by fire will be greatly appreciated.

Special events designed to help guide students

A Majors Fair, led by students for students, is planned for 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Toner Student Center Lounge. This event is geared toward students who are not happy about their majors, are undecided majors, are trying to choose a minor or are just first-year students looking for information.
 
An Undeclared Majors Retreat is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Hillside Hall. There is no cost to attend, and a free lunch will be provided. This event will help students wondering what they are being called to do, those who are not sure they’re in the right major or those who wonder what major to declare. Students are asked to register by Oct. 31 to student success@smumn.edu, in person at 70 Griffin Hall or by calling Ext. 8737.

Both of these events are part of iPath, a series for the undecided, hosted by the Student Success Center.

Sympathy to Sullivan, Flanagan families

Daniel Sullivan, father and father-in-law of  Kate and Michael Flanagan, died on Friday, Oct. 11. Kate and Mike are retired faculty members, and Kate currently teaches part-­­­time. Also, Daniel’s grandson, Michael Sullivan ’14 currently attends SMU, and alum Karen Sullivan, formerly in admissions, is Daniel's daughter-in-law.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Sullivan and Flanagan families.

New De La Salle Christian Brothers statue, Brother James Miller bust dedicated

Brother William greets benefactors of the De La Salle Christian Brothers statue including, from left: Brian Thomas (representing the class of 2013); Frances and Robert Skemp and Jan and Bernie Wagnild.

Maria Glenski does a reading for the dedication ceremony.

The new De La Salle Christian Brothers statue on the Winona campus plaza was dedicated during a brief ceremony on Oct. 4. The statue honors the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ 80 years of service to Saint Mary’s. Benefactors of the project, Bernie and Jan Wagnild, Robert ’49 and Frances Perry CST ’51 Skemp, and the Class of 2013, were recognized.

A new bust of 1966 alumnus Brother James Miller, for whom Residencia Santiago Miller is named, was dedicated Oct. 8 during an informal ceremony. The bust is located just off of the path between the Residencia and Brother Leopold Hall. Brother James was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982 by four masked gunmen while mending a wall outside the De La Salle Casa Indigena where he worked.

To see photos, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

News from Nairobi

We Stand United
By James Chege, librarian
Maryknoll Institute for African Studies

Terrorism reared its ugly head again in Kenya when one of Nairobi’s up-market shopping malls, Westgate, was attacked by what is thought to be militants from the notorious Somalia-based al-Shabab terror group.

What followed was a four-day siege involving local and foreign security forces working hand in hand to bring the attack and hostage situation to an end. Reports from the government put the death toll at 76 with hundreds more injured. Fortunately, none of the staff or students at MIASMU, CTIE and Tangaza University College lost their lives or were injured in the attack. Also, as far as is known, no members of the staff and students’ extended families were directly affected by the tragic events.

We are most grateful to our many friends and concerned individuals from Saint Mary’s University who inquired as to our safety and well-being. We also thank all those who remembered Kenya in their prayers in that difficult moment and continue to do so as many Kenyan families struggle to come to terms with the loss of loved ones.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 28

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 13th annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park. 

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, 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 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

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

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

The 17th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-26 and 30-31 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.

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.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.

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 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

SMU hosts Caravan du Nord Minnesota musicians Oct. 18

Saint Mary’s Off the Page Series will host an impressive lineup of talented Minnesota musicians as part of the “Caravan du Nord 2013” concert series Friday, Oct. 18.

In its third year, the Caravan du Nord concert tour starts Oct. 11 in Austin, with stops in Winona, St. Cloud and Detroit Lakes before ending in Red Wing on Nov. 16. Each event features live performances by artists in a wide range of genres.

The Winona lineup includes some of the most talked about up-and-coming artists — Night Moves, Southwire and Mike Munson — converging on the SMU Page Theatre stage, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Night Moves is based out of Minneapolis and has been receiving airtime on MPR’s The Current; they have been described by Spin magazine as “cosmically expansive and yet twangily intimate.” Southwire, from Duluth, has been praised by City Pages as providing “haunting melodies that sound like they have been carried on the winds of the past.” Winona’s own (and SMU alum) Mike Munson was recently on the nationally broadcast WPR show “Whad' Ya Know” and is regularly heard around town performing his blues-influenced solo guitar.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SMU Student Activity Committee is co-hosting this event.

Members of Night Moves and Minnesota’s top music industry professionals will provide insider insight about marketing, songwriting and more at a workshop Friday, Oct. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at Sum Some Studios, 168 E. 3rd St. The event is free and open to the public.

‘Make a Difference Day’ and ‘Lasallian Day of Service’ are Oct. 26

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is 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 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

“Make a Difference Day” is a 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 sixth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

Lasallian Day of Service

Also on Oct. 26, alumni are invited to participate in the fifth annual Lasallian Day of Service. This is a day that allows alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others. 

The alumni association has established a volunteer site for the Winona area at the CSTea House, 357 Gould St.

The CSTea House is the home of the College of Saint Teresa Alumnae Association. It is located next to Lourdes Hall and adjacent to the Chapel of the Angels and the Alverna Center. Fifteen volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to organize and clean the basement.

Sites have also been confirmed in the Chicago, Twin Cities, Saint Louis and Denver, Colo., areas. Alumni who reside outside these locations have been encouraged to arrange their own service project(s). 

For more information go to:  www.mysmumn.org/LDOS13.

Alumnus returns to SMU for exhibit titled ‘Excessibility’

Todd VonBastiaans, left, and Bryan McCarthy with their pancake pillow creations.

Las Vegas artist and 1994 Saint Mary’s alumnus Todd VonBastiaans — along with friend and colleague Bryan McCarthy — will curate the next Saint Mary’s University exhibit, “Excessibility.”

The show, which depicts luxury and celebrity accessibility is subtitled, “Access 2 Excess” and features works from 1939 to 2013, including Banksy, Ed Ruscha, Sol Lewitt and Andy Warhol. VonBastiaans and McCarthy will also display their new pancake pillows.

“Excessibility” will run Oct. 10 through Nov. 10 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the show is free and open to the public.

Special Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest is Oct. 31

Halloween costume party participants from years past -- marketing and communication mice

A fantastic farm theme from the education folks

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween costume now; get your office or department together and vie for the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy. The last costume contest winners, the Business Office, aren’t going to give it up easily!

This is the SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let’s Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser.

This year’s winner will be able to direct their $500 winnings to their choice of the following worthy causes: Winona Food Shelf, scholarships at SMU, SMU in Jamaica, Habitat for Humanity, the First-Generation Initiative or the Red Cross.

The lunch, hosted by the Student Success Center and iT, will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are welcome!

It’ll be a frigh

Lawing to display work in Decorah, Winona

“Elegant Decay,”new work by Preston Lawing of the Art and Design Department, is on display at the ArtHaus Gallery in Decorah, Iowa. This exhibition moves to Winona with an opening reception Nov. 5 at the Lyon Smith Gallery, 199 E. 3rd St.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here is one way Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• The Winona Post featured the SMU De La Salle Christian Brothers statue dedication in its Oct. 9 edition.

Business Office volunteers with Feed My Starving Children

The Winona Rotary Club hosted a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack Event on Saturday, Oct. 5, and the Business Office helped out this worthy cause. Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit organization which utilizes volunteers to put together specially formulated food packets to be sent around the world to feed starving children. The program is reputable and serves children who are starving, even in the United States.

Volunteers from the Business Office donated a two-hour block of time to pack about 4,000 meals. Each team was asked to provide funding to cover the costs of the meals they pack, or $800.

The business office raised the required $800 donation by selling valentine cards and homemade treats. 

Bachler to perform in Winona Cemetery Walk

Marketing adjunct professor Steve Bachler was on WCCO-TV’s “Finding Minnesota” segment last Sunday as he is portraying Cal Fremling in the upcoming Cemetery Walk Oct. 12-13 at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Price quoted in article about Lasallian Social Justice Institute experience

Larry Price, Business Department, wrote an article about his Lasallian Social Justice Institute experience which was quoted in an article on the Christian Brothers Conference website: http://lasallian.info/2013/08/23/lsji-highlights-impact-of-violence-and-peacemaking/

Tristano presents at Christian teaching conference

Richard Tristano, History Department, attended a conference at Calvin College, “Virtues, Vices, and Teaching,” that explored approaches to Christian teaching and learning on the role of character in the classroom. His presentation “Teaching Virtues: Perspectives on the Good Human Life” highlighted the place of the Lasallian Core Traditions program in SMU’s general education program, especially LCT225 Perspectives on the Good Human Life.

Luncheon held for Polish students, benefactors

Pictured are, from left, back: Brother William Mann, Mike Gostomski, Jan Preble of The Wasie Foundation, Ryan Gostomski; front, Marcin Sak, Marzena Drozd, Katarzyna Plawiak and Marta Aleszewicz.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Saint Mary’s hosted a lunch gathering of students from Poland and their scholarship benefactors. The university enjoys a partnership with the Gostomski Family Foundation and The Wasie Foundation to provide full tuition, room and board scholarships to students of 100 percent Polish ancestry who also meet university admissions criteria.

Blue Angel is Nov. 1-2

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel    2013. This year’s performances are Friday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2, at 7 and 10 p.m.  ou may receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice by contacting Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu.

Family Weekend draws crowds to campus activities

The inflatables were a big hit.

Leading the Fall Frolic

Posing with Big Red

SMU’s Family Weekend Sept. 27-29 included a full slate of activities for the SMU community, and many events brought in members of the Winona-area community as well. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend music and theatre events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

More than 250 people participated in the 26th Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk Saturday morning.

A joint performance of the Saint Mary’s Concert Band, Chamber Singers and Choirs featured the world-premiere composition, “Katanya” by Larry Bitensky of Centre College, Danville, Ky.
“Katanya” was commissioned by the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation. Additionally, the Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I and the Department of Theatre and Dance performed.

In addition to athletic events on campus, a legacy dinner, hosted by the Office of Admission, celebrated multiple generations of Saint Mary’s students and alumni.

To see photos from the weekend, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

New Christian Brothers statue dedication is today

The new De La Salle Christian Brothers statue on the Winona campus plaza will be dedicated during a brief ceremony on today, Friday, Oct. 4, at 11:45 a.m.  Students, faculty and staff are invited. The statue honors the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ 80 years of service to Saint Mary’s. Benefactors of the project, Bernie and Jan Wagnild, Robert ’49 and Frances Perry CST ’51 Skemp, and the Class of 2013, will be recognized.

News from Nairobi

Discovering anew through field research
By James Chege, librarian
Maryknoll Institute for African Studies

The first week of the semester saw students in various courses offered by MIASMU undertake their first field research. The field research was conducted under the guidance of the faculty on various topics in accordance with the courses being taken. Each student was assigned a field assistant, a university graduate, who functions as a tutorial assistant.

In one of the student field studies, it was discovered that the Luhyia of Western Kenya officially recognize the wise elders by giving them symbolic gifts of spears. The is to demonstrate  that during times of aggression and attack from enemies the elders are expected to give wise counsel that would protect the community from defeat. This shows that the Luhyia recognized that wisdom is essential to the preservation of the community, a preservation  which could not be achieved  solely by the strength of the warriors.

The field research is essential because literature on African cultural beliefs and practices is scarce and a lot of it misrepresents reality. To overcome this, students are required to undertake field research of at least four hours per course per week in order to gather first-hand knowledge of contemporary cultural realities.

The field research, therefore, is a unique aspect of the MIASMU courses offered and a real eye opener to the students. Through field research, students get a unique opportunity to discuss pertinent issues and interact with people who are living the very cultural realities that are being taught in the classroom.

SMU Page Series to feature folk singer Susan Werner

The next Page Series will feature some sweet songs about sustainability by folk singer Susan Werner.

Werner will present work from her “Hayseed” project at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in  Page Theatre.

Born in Manchester, Iowa, Werner grew up on her family’s hog farm, but she took to singing rather than farming. She began making a name for herself in the folk scene of the early 1990s in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. She recorded five albums from 1993 to 2001 in the folk genre. Her next recording in 2004, “I Can't Be New,” was a departure encompassing Tin Pan Alley, early torch, and jazz standards. Now based in Chicago, Warner’s most recent music is infused with the rustic roots of American folk, blues and country music. Her 11th recording “Kicking the Beehive” includes guest appearances by Vince Gill, Mo’Keb and Paul Franklin.

Werner’s newest project, “Hayseed,” contains 12 songs on the subject of farming, rural America, locavores, food safety, and the comic potential of herbicides. With this work, she returns to the language and characters she knows best.

Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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 17th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-26 and 30-31 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.

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 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.

For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

SMU hosts Caravan du Nord Minnesota musicians Oct. 18

Night Moves

Saint Mary’s Off the Page Series will host an impressive lineup of talented Minnesota musicians as part of the “Caravan du Nord 2013” concert series Friday, Oct. 18.

In its third year, the Caravan du Nord concert tour starts Oct. 11 in Austin, with stops in Winona, St. Cloud and Detroit Lakes before ending in Red Wing on Nov. 16. Each event features live performances by artists in a wide range of genres.

The Winona lineup includes some of the most talked about up-and-coming artists — Night Moves, Southwire and Mike Munson — converging on the SMU Page Theatre stage, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Night Moves is based out of Minneapolis and has been receiving airtime on MPR’s The Current; they have been described by Spin magazine as “cosmically expansive and yet twangily intimate.” Southwire, from Duluth, has been praised by City Pages as providing “haunting melodies that sound like they have been carried on the winds of the past.” Winona’s own Mike Munson was recently on the nationally broadcast WPR show “Whad' Ya Know” and is regularly heard around town performing his blues-influenced solo guitar.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SMU Student Activity Committee is co-hosting this event.

Members of Night Moves and Minnesota’s top music industry professionals will provide insider insight about marketing, songwriting and more at a workshop Friday, Oct. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at Sum Some Studios, 168 E. 3rd St. The event is free and open to the public.

Lasallian Week of Peace events continue

Alum Mary Gleich talks about Target Corp. during the Week of Peace Symposium.

Catholic musician Sarah Hart

A Dine with the Divine topic on a Lake City Catholic Worker community.

Only a few days remain of Lasallian Week of Peace. This year’s theme is “Care for God’s Creation.”

Highlights of the week have included a concert with Catholic musician Sarah Hart, a presentation about the Lake City Catholic Worker community (the Jagerstatter Farm), and the Week of Peace Symposium, “Caring for the Environment in Our Professional and Personal Lives” featuring presenters from Gundersen Health Systems, J.R. Watkins, Hoch Orchard, The Blue Heron, Winona County, and others.

Events yet to come include:

Sunday, Oct. 6
Service opportunity at Jagerstatter Farm (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Connect back to the Monday night Dine with the Divine by helping out at Jagerstatter Farm.

All Week: 
Throughout the week there will be a table where you can contribute to a community mosaic project that depicts the beauty of our natural surroundings.

Prayer for Peace at the Peace Pole (12:35 p.m. daily in front of the chapel). Every day, following daily Mass, community members are invited to gather at the Peace Pole in front of Saint Thomas More Chapel for a brief prayer for peace and the care for God’s creation.

‘Make a Difference Day’ and ‘Lasallian Day of Service’ are Oct. 26

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is 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 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

“Make a Difference Day” is a 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 sixth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

Lasallian Day of Service

Also on Oct. 26, alumni are invited to participate in the fifth annual Lasallian Day of Service. This is a day that allows alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others.

The alumni association has established a volunteer site for the Winona area at the CSTea House, 357 Gould St.

The CSTea House is the home of the College of Saint Teresa Alumnae Association. It is located next to Lourdes Hall and adjacent to the Chapel of the Angels and the Alverna Center. Fifteen volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to organize and clean the basement.

Sites have also been confirmed in the Chicago, Twin Cities, Saint Louis and Denver, Colo., areas. Alumni who reside outside these locations have been encouraged to arrange their own service project(s).

For more information go to:  www.mysmumn.org/LDOS13.

Alumnus returns to SMU for exhibit titled ‘Excessibility’

These pancake pillows are just some of the unusual pieces to be featured in "Excessibility."

Las Vegas artist and 1994 Saint Mary’s alumnus Todd VonBastiaans — along with friend and colleague Bryan McCarthy — will curate the next Saint Mary’s University exhibit, “Excessibility.”

The show, which depicts luxury and celebrity accessibility is subtitled, “Access 2 Excess” and features works from 1939 to 2013, including Banksy, Ed Ruscha, Sol Lewitt and Andy Warhol. VonBastiaans and McCarthy will also display their new pancake pillows.

“Excessibility” will run Oct. 10 through Nov. 10 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center.

A reception for the show will be held 4:30 to 6 on Thursday, Oct. 10. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the show is free and open to the public.

Special Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest is Oct. 31

Doin' the 'Jailhouse Rock' last year

Last year's winners -- the Business Office with the Centennial celebration theme.

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween costume now; get your office or department together and vie for the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy. The last costume contest winners, the Business Office, aren't going to give it up easily!

This is the SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let’s Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser.

This year’s winner will be able to direct their $500 winnings to their choice of the following worthy causes: Winona Food Shelf, scholarships at SMU, SMU in Jamaica, Habitat for Humanity, the First-Generation Initiative or the Red Cross.

The lunch, hosted by the Student Success Center and iT, will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are welcome!

It’ll be a frightfully good time; ghoul be glad you came!

Hans Heukeshoven to present senior percussion recital

Senior Hans Heukeshoven will present his B.A. in Music Performance senior recital Saturday at 3 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. It will include works performed on a variety of instruments from mallet percussion to jazz drum set.

Study Abroad Fair a success

SMU alum Marcy Mueller talked to students at Salesian Lay Ministers

Last Thursday Saint Mary’s hosted its first Study Abroad Fair. The event was well-attended and showcased the various study abroad programs available to Saint Mary’s students. Study abroad office staff, students who studied abroad, representatives from affiliated programs, and faculty leaders of short-term study abroad programs were all on hand to answer questions. Furthermore, the Office of Campus Ministry and representatives from volunteer organizations provided information on opportunities to volunteer abroad.

Lawing to display series of work in Decorah, Winona

“Elegant Decay,”new work by Preston Lawing of the Art and Design Department, is on display at the ArtHaus Gallery in Decorah, Iowa, beginning today, Oct. 4. This exhibition moves to Winona with an opening reception Nov. 5 at the Lyon Smith Gallery, 199 E. 3rd St.

SMU in the news

Here is one way Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:
• SMU volleyball player Lexi Assimos was highlighted in the Sept. 29 Winona Daily News story titled, “Emotional Leader.” Go to http://bit.ly/1bRImGD.

Alum’s son featured on 'X-Factor'

Tim Olstad, whose mother, Julie (Savant) Olstad is a 1976 alum, has been regularly featured on “X Factor.” Tune in to FOX Oct. 9-10 to watch more of the four-chair challenge to see if Olstad advances in this national singing competition.

Congratulations to O’Shea, Welch, Driesen families

Three baby girls were born recently — all to faculty from our Department of Music.  Camille (Mimi) Charlotte O’Shea was born on Thursday, Sept. 26 to Dr. Patrick and Lindsy O’Shea; Anastasia Marie Welch was born on Sept. 30 to Jen (Thad) Welch; and Rayna Driesen was born to Dan (Kari) Driesen. The Saint Mary’s community extends its congratulations to these families.

Sympathy to Pilarski family

Rita Husman, Sandy Pilarski’s (Human Resources) mother, died on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

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

Family Weekend Fall Frolic is Sept. 28

The public is invited to participate in the 26th Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk at Saint Mary’s University Saturday, Sept. 28.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in SMU’s 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 300 people participate; competitors of all levels (including walkers) are welcome.

Participants will enjoy the beautiful bluff trails of SMU’s Winona campus. The online registration form is available at www.smumn.edu/fallfrolic, and a complete weekend schedule is available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend runs Sept. 27-29 and includes a full slate of activities for families of students and the SMU community. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend music and theatre events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

New Christian Brother statue dedication is Oct. 4

The new De La Salle Christian Brothers statue on the Winona campus plaza will be dedicated during a brief ceremony on Friday, Oct. 4, at 11:45 a.m.  Students, faculty and staff are invited. The statue honors the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ 80 years of service to Saint Mary’s. Benefactors of the project, Bernie and Jan Wagnild, Robert ’49 and Frances Perry CST ’51 Skemp, and the Class of 2013, will be recognized.

Saint Mary’s debuts 7th Kaplan Commission Sept. 28

A joint performance of the Saint Mary’s Concert Band, Chamber Singers and Choirs will feature the world-premiere composition, “Katanya” during a family-oriented fall concert 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Page Theatre.

“Katanya,” written by Larry Bitensky of Centre College, Danville, Ky., is a Jewish oral folk tale from Turkey that tells a variation of the familiar Tom Thumb/Thumbelina story. Bitensky will serve as the tale’s on-stage narrator during the Concert Band premiere, which includes Jewish folk songs the composer heard as a youth.

“Katanya” was commissioned by the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation, which supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s. Bitensky is SMU’s seventh Kaplan composer.

Known for music described as “extraordinarily sensitive and beautiful” and “speaking directly to the heart,” Bitensky, a composer and pianist, has been hailed for works that are satisfying for performers and communicative to audiences.

Born in 1966 in New York, and educated at Skidmore College, the New England Conservatory of Music, Ithaca College, and Cornell University, Bitensky’s musical personality is rooted in a range of influences. He often seeks to merge the complex structures and expressive range of the classical masters and the innovations of the 20th-century greats with the melodic and rhythmic invention and improvisatory flow of musical traditions from India, Indonesia, the Islamic and Jewish worlds, jazz, and the Grateful Dead.

Recorded on Mark Records and Sea Breeze Vista records, Bitensky’s music has been performed by numerous ensembles and at various festivals around North America, Europe and Asia. His music is published by Silly Black Dog Music.

Bitensky is an associate professor of music at Centre College. He lives in Lancaster, Ky., with his wife Kathy and his silly black dog Chloe.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jazz groups open Family Weekend music performances

Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will begin another great season 6 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 27, in Figliulo Recital Hall under the direction of A. Eric Heukeshoven.

Music by classic jazz composers such as Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Thelonius Monk and George Gershwin, along with contemporary arrangements will be featured in this one-hour tour de force. Junior Thomas Plante will be featured playing flugelhorn on Monk’s haunting “Round Midnight.” And sophomore Nick Novotny on tenor sax will be joined by Tom Nalli on trombone for Dave Wolpe’s swinging arrangement of “Alone Together.”

The concert is open to the public, and seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, contact the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online to www.pagetheatre.org.

Students to stage drama about women and war

The Theatre and Dance Department will present a groundbreaking play about women and war Sept. 28-29.

In “Necessary Targets,” two American women, a Park Avenue psychiatrist and an ambitious young writer, travel to Bosnia to help women refugees confront their memories of war. Based on interviews with numerous women who survived the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, “Necessary Targets” is a timely reminder of how America struggles to define its relationship to the rest of the world. Witness the violence of dark memories and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Written by Eve Ensler, and directed by Judy Myers, “Necessary Targets” will run 7:30 p.m.  Saturday, Sept. 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, in the Valéncia Academy Theatre, 10th and Vila streets.

Key design positions for this production are covered by seniors including: scene design, Elyssa Mattson; costume design, Tasha Nelson; and sound design, Charlotte Deranek.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715,

Cross/Purpose exhibit on display until Oct. 5

The Lillian Davis Hogan Gallery is hosting an exhibit titled Cross/Purpose, a collection of 49 works of art exploring the image, symbolism, and event of Christ’s crucifixion. Beginning with a 6th century coin, the works represent centuries of interpretation and reflection on this pivotal moment in history. Renowned artists such as George Rouault, Marc Chagall, Otto Dix and Jacques Villon are represented in the exhibit.

The collection is part of a traveling exhibition series by CIVA, Christians in the Visual Arts.

Please note that the Cross/Purpose exhibit has been extended for one week and will run through Saturday, Oct. 5.

Page Series to bring classic fairy tales with twists to life

Young and old alike will enjoy the Griffin Theatre Company performance of “Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” Thursday, Oct. 3.

This Page Series production will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Jack has a problem. He’s successfully grown an enormous beanstalk, scaled to the top, and stolen a golden harp and gold-laying goose from the sleeping giant. Things get a bit sketchy when said giant wakes up. Find out how old, slightly warped, fairy tales come to his rescue.

Over the past 22 years, the Griffin Theatre Company of Chicago has provided a wide range of work including world and Midwest premieres of acclaimed scripts, critically lauded productions of Shakespeare and original adaptations of novels.

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

A “Gathering for Jack” will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the Winona Public Library Children’s Room. Enjoy some tall tales and fabulous shorts, and take a chance at winning tickets to the Oct. 3 performance.

Poet Sarah Certa to give reading

A reading by poet Sarah Certa, author of the chapbook, “Red Paper Heart,” will be held 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the President’s Room.

Her poems focus on the many shades of love. In 2010, Sarah graduated from Winona State with a B.A. in English and in 2013 from the Vermont College of Fine Arts with an M.F.A. in creative writing.

The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor dociety. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Carolyn Ayers, cayers@smumn.edu or Ext. 1523.

Campus Ministry hosts outdoor retreat

Twelve people attended the Outdoor Retreat Sept. 20-21, facilitated by Campus Ministry.  The retreat focused on enjoying the outdoors and discovering how a spiritual life may be called to environmental stewardship.  Participants hiked, canoed and camped at Perrot State Park.

Open house for Vlazny, Saint Edward’s is Oct. 2

An open house for the Saint Edward’s Living Learning Center and Vlazny Hall will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Visit the Living Learning Center’s new home in Saint Edward’s Hall and see updates to the building; also stop by Vlazny Hall to see the new homes of Campus Ministry, the Hendrickson Institute, the Jay Johnson Wellness Center, the Office of Mission, Residence Life and Student Life. Refreshments will be provided in the Vlazny Hall lounge.