Goodall Institute director to highlight SMU biology research symposium today

The Biology Department and Biology Club will host the 35th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology today, April 4, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s and other colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will then continue from 2:15 to 4 p.m.

This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Anne Pusey, director of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Center for Primate Studies at the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pusey will present “Friends or foes? Social relationships among female chimpanzees” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Dr. Pusey studied juvenile and adolescent development in the Gombe chimpanzees in the 1970s, then spent more than 10 years studying the social behavior of lions in the Serengeti. At the Jane Goodall Institute’s Center for Primate Studies, Dr. Pusey’s research group is computerizing and analyzing the data from Jane Goodall’s 46-year study of Gombe chimpanzees.

The public is invited to attend Dr. Pusey’s lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge.

Mowry to share vocal talent April 5-6 at Saint Mary’s

Dr. Mark Mowry, left, accompanied by Dr. Nicholas Phillips will perform April 5-6.
Dr. Mark Mowry, adjunct faculty with the Department of Music, will perform a vocal concert April 5-6 as part of the Page Series’ “Voices of SMU.”

Mowry, accompanied by Dr. Nicholas Phillips on piano, will perform 7:30 p.m. Saturday April 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Both performances will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Mowry, a tenor, has performed a diverse range of opera, concert, and recital repertoire, which reflects his broad musical interests. He sang the role of Enrico Carouser in the world premiere of Edwin Penhorwood’s opera “Too Many Sopranos.”

Phillips is assistant professor of piano at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he teaches applied and class piano.

The performance will include German and French song repertoire including music by Henry Purcell, Franz Schubert, Reynaldo Hahn, Benjamin Britten, and Francesco Paolo Tosti.

Tickets are $12, $9 for seniors and $8 for students and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Because of a scheduling conflict, Dr. Patrick O’Shea will not be performing, as advertised in early Page Series marketing materials.

Micklethwait to serve as first speaker for Hendrickson Institute Forum

Saint Mary’s University is hosting a forum on globalization and economics and honoring the first recipients of the Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership during its first Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership Forum.

The event — featuring John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of “The Economist” — is planned for Wednesday, April 30, at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis.

Representatives of business, government and nonprofit organizations as well as Saint Mary's alumni, faculty and staff are invited. Events will run from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a reception.

Micklethwait is one of the world’s foremost authorities on globalization, and is also an expert on American business and culture and politics. He was the head of the magazine’s U.S. section from 1999 to 2006. He has written four books on business and one book on American politics. He is a frequent broadcaster and has appeared on CNN, ABC News, BBC, Start the Week, and NPR.

Micklethwait will speak on globalization, the economy of the future, social responsibility and ethics issues – issues that mirror the global outlook, mission and curriculum of Saint Mary’s.

Additionally, the Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership will be awarded to Warren and Mary Lynn Staley. The Staleys employed ethical approaches that were innovative and creative through Cargill, Inc., the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Habitat for Humanity and Opportunity International. They’ve also served as role models for young and emerging ethical leaders and place a high value on education.

Tickets are $25; $10 for SMU students. A few complimentary faculty and staff tickets are available. E-mail Barb Hall at bhall@smumn.edu. For more information, visit www.smumn.edu/hendricksonforum.

Commonweal speaker: ‘Is a Catholic College Possible?’

As a part of the Commonweal Lecture series, Dennis O’Brien, Ph.D., will be speaking on “Is a Catholic College Possible?” Thursday, April 10, at Saint Mary’s. The lecture — free and open to the public — is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall.

Additionally, at 3:30 p.m. April 10, he will lead a student-oriented discussion of an article he wrote called “Good Faith: What the new atheists get wrong.” (By “new atheists,” he refers to popular titles such as Christopher Hitchens’God is Not Great, etc.) All viewpoints are welcome at this discussion, but reading the article beforehand is requested. The article is available to be picked up in Saint Mary’s Hall, Room 223 (the Theology suite), or may be accessed on the Ebsco Academic Premier database. The discussion will be held in the Common Room.

O’Brien is president emeritus of University of Rochester and an editor for the biweekly Commonweal Magazine, a review of politics, religion, and culture, run by lay Catholics. A philosopher by training, he is the author of many critically acclaimed books, including The Idea of a Catholic University and most recently, Finding the Voice of the Church.

Through the Commonweal Speakers series, universities across the United States are chosen to host free public lectures from the nationally respected editors at Commonweal. The Commonweal Speakers Program is made possible thanks to a generous gift from James H. Duffy.

For more information,visit www.commonwealmagazine.org. The library also has current and archived copies. For more information, contact Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust, Ext. 1995.

Four SMU students complete projects in the Mayo Scholars Program

Photo caption: Saint Mary’s University students, from left: Amanda Christman, Bethany Kaufmann, Holly Schuh and Dan Murray participated in the Mayo Scholars Program in 2007-08.

Four SMU students received the educational opportunity of a lifetime through the Mayo Scholars Program. For the past five months, these students contributed to innovative medical research, associated with the world’s most prestigious health care system.

The Mayo Scholars Program, now in its second year, offers an opportunity for selected MBA students and undergraduate science and business students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property.

The program connects students from biology, chemistry, math, physics, pre-med and business and helps prepare them for careers in hospitals, medical research institutions and health care agencies. Forty-five students from nine Minnesota Private College Council schools participated in the program.

Saint Mary’s program participants included: Amanda Christman, a senior majoring in marketing, international business and Spanish from St. Joseph; Bethany Kaufmann, a junior biology: pre-physical-therapy and biochemistry major from Green Bay, Wis.; Dan Murray, a senior marketing and management major from Rochester; and Holly Schuh, a senior visual arts: business major and biology minor from Altura.

The team of four students was chosen by SMU faculty in early October. For the next five months, the teams worked on research focusing on “Treating Digestive Motility Disorders,” under the guidance of team leader Leo Evans from Augsburg College and Mayo licensing manager, Leif Nelson. Saint Mary’s faculty advisors were Dr. Tom Marpe and Dr. Randy Krainock.

The group presented its findings March 12 in Rochester.

“The Mayo Scholars program provided an intense, real-life experience that will have positive and beneficial repercussions for my planned future in global health. The research was very interesting and rewarding, and I am very thankful for the given opportunity,” Schuh said.

Other research topics included “Predictive Markers for Parkinson’s,” “Instrumentation for Ultrasound Guided Surgery,” “Fabrication of Enhanced Tissue,” and “Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters.”

Students have the option of earning credit for the experience, either as an internship or independent study. They also receive a $1,000 stipend.

“The students gained a wonderful experience that pushed them outside their comfort zone,” said Marpe. “They gained much in their research skills and poise and confidence in making public presentations.”

SMU Disc Golf Open scheduled for April 5

The first Saint Mary’s University Disc Golf Open tees off on Saturday, April 5, at 9:30 a.m. on The Woods at Saint Mary’s disc golf course.

The Woods is an 18-hole course that winds through the bluffs surrounding the campus. With narrow fairways and intricate hole placements, the course can be challenging for both beginners and experienced disc golfers.

The top three finishers will receive prizes:
• First place – portable disc catcher, disc bag, and three Innova discs
• Second place – Innova disc bag and three Innova discs
• Third place – three Innova discs

The tournament is sponsored by the SMU Office of Outdoor Leadership and co-sponsored by Innova Disc Golf. Proceeds will be used to maintain the disc golf course and for Outdoor Leadership Program funding.

Tournament fees are $15 for students and $25 for the general public. Each participant receives an SMU customized Innova putt and approach disc. To register, or for more information, visit www.smumn.edu/thewoods or contact Davey Warner at Ext. 8740 or e-mail him at outdoorleadership@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s students sleep outside to raise awareness of homeless

Saint Mary’s students slept in cardboard boxes the night of Thursday, April 3, during the annual shak-a-thon, part of Habitat for Humanity’s Act!Speak!Build! Week. The box houses and luminaries will remain up throughout today.

A week of activities was designed to raise awareness about the millions of people who do not have adequate shelter to sleep.

Additionally both SMU and Winona State University students completed a “Walk to Rally” on Tuesday.

SMU students to stage Greek tragedy ‘Iphigenia’ April 18-21

The Greek tragedy “Iphigenia at Aulis” will take on chilling contemporary significance during the Department of Theatre Arts production April 18-21.

“Iphigenia at Aulis,” by Euripides, centers on Iphigenia, the teenage daughter of Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the Coalition of Greek Forces. While waiting to attack the town of Troy, Agamemnon offends the goddess, Artemis, who denies the army the wind of modern warfare, technology, stranding the fleet in the bay of Aulis. The priest Calchas tells him that he must sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, to restore the wind and achieve ultimate victory.

SMU’s contemporary version of the tragedy — adapted and directed by Dr. Steven Bouler — explores the dark side of patriotism and war fever, and how far a politician-turned-warrior will go to secure a victory, even if it means sacrificing his own child.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday, April 18, 19 and 21. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20.

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

Student History Research Symposium is April 19 at SMU

Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 19, at SMU. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University of La Crosse, and Winona State University.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Kirsten Fischer, associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota, will highlight the day with her presentation, “Religion and the Founders: A Conversation about Original Intent.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for eight years, with UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University joining last year. This year they welcome UW-Eau Claire to the event. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process, deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. At 9:15 a.m., students will present their research in concurrent sessions of three students each. At 10:30 a.m., a complimentary brunch will be served in the Common Room, followed by a second session of concurrent panels at 10:45 a.m. and Dr. Fischer’s talk at noon. The last round of student presentations run from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.

For further information, contact Dr. Tycho de Boer at Ext. 6995 or tdeboer@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s to host second Row, Ride, Run Triathlon

The second Saint Mary’s University Heart & SOUL “Row, Ride, Run” Triathlon will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 9 a.m.; check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on the west end of Lake Winona. The public is encouraged to take part in the triathlon.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

Participants may begin registering now, either as an individual or as a team. Teams may consist of two, three or four members. The registration period ends April 14. The fees are $35 per individual or $60 per team; registration spots are limited.

Each racer is responsible for bringing their own bike, and is required to wear helmets for the bicycling leg of the event. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets; a limited number of canoes and kayaks are available to rent for $20. SMU students and employees can use canoes and kayaks at no charge.

For more information, or to register online, visit www.smumn.edu/heartandsoul.

Senior Academic Honors Banquet is April 16

Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis and Provost Jeffrey Highland will honor the class of 2008 during the Senior Academic Honors Banquet Wednesday, April 16, beginning with a reception in the President's Room of the Toner Center at 6:30 p.m. A dinner and awards program will follow at 7 p.m. in the Toner Center Dining Room.

Complimentary tickets can be reserved by calling Ext. 6678.

First Student Life Awards Ceremony is April 9

Student Development is hosting the first Student Life Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 9, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the gym.

Individuals who have exhibited outstanding leadership and service through co-curricular activities at SMU will be recognized.

Special music will be provided at 6:30 p.m. by the winning band from the “Battle of the Bands,” The Wet Bandits.

Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women upcoming events

The Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women students is hosting two significant events this month.

The second annual Women in Leadership and Service Symposium: Women in Politics is Thursday, April 10, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Common Room. The event will feature speakers Dr. “Mimi” Merylann J. Schuttloffel, director of the Catholic Educational Leadership Programs and coordinator of the Leadership and Policy Studies Doctoral Program at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; Winona County Council Member-at-Large Debbie White; and Katie Simon, SMU Senior and DFL member.

The end-of-year ceremony for the first official graduating class of the Saint Teresa Institute is Friday, April 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, followed by the Mary A. Malloy Tea and Tour, at the CST Tea House, both located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Saint Mary’s hosts first Relay for Life

Saint Mary’s University is hosting its first Relay for Life April 19-20. The theme is “Rockin’ All Night Long for a Cure.”

People are welcome to put a team together and walk. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society to aid cancer research and help in the fight. Relay for Life is a fun-filled overnight event (though participants do not need to stay overnight) designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back against this disease.

During the event, teams of people take turns walking or running laps. Each team keeps at least one team member “moving” at all times.

But Relay for Life is much more than a walk around a track. It is a time to remember those lost to cancer and celebrate those who have survived. Watch for more details.

High School Challenge continues to air

High School Challenge is a tournament of knowledge sponsored by Saint Mary’s.

Fox 25/Fox 48 continues to air previously recorded Super Challenge competitions from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Sundays. Tune in to cheer on your hometown team on these dates:
• April 6 – Seneca vs. La Crosse Aquinas
• April 13 – Quarterfinals begin airing
For more information, call Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at Ext. 1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

Annual SMU benefit dance to help alumnus Leukemia patient

Saint Mary’s University will present the eighth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, April 12.

The beneficiary of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — is SMU alumnus Steve Groby. Steve, a resident of Shakopee and formerly of Wabasha, was diagnosed two years ago with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, which resulted in a bone marrow transplant last May.

The benefit dance has become an annual tradition since it was started by students in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s Campus Ministry and Student Activities staff member Nikki Richmond. Taylor has a genetic terminal illness called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) and the money from his benefit was used to fulfill Taylor’s dream of going to Disney World. Each year this event benefits someone in the SMU community in need.

The dance, featuring music by the Johnny Holm Band, will be held in the Toner Student Center dining room. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $25 per couple. To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact Jason Richter at Ext. 1648 or Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Katie LaPlant, Box 1471.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., April 10-11. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room of the Toner Student Center.

Paulson to present research at the SEAMUS Conference

Dr. John Paulson, Music Department, will present some of his research on the early history of electronic music in the United States at the SEAMUS Conference April 3.

He has produced a paper and presentation on his personal interviews with some of the most prestigious electronic music composers and their associations with Vladimir Ussachevsky. Dr. Paulson did several personal interviews with Ussachevsky in the 1970s and 1980s, wrote his master’s thesis on him and published an article on the composer in the Instrumentalist magazine in the mid ‘80s. His presentation will feature photos and audio clips from the original interviews done with Ussachevsky and his composer colleagues at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center in New York City.

The 2008 National Conference of the Society for Electroacoustic Music in the United States is hosted by the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. This year’s conference is dedicated to pioneering electro-acoustic composer Vladimir Ussachevsky, in residence at the University of Utah from 1970 to 1990. The conference will include performances of his later electro-acoustic works, including his colloquy for orchestra and tape, premiered by the Utah Symphony in 1976. Following the national call for participation, approximately 100 recent electro-acoustic compositions, videos, and papers have been selected and will be presented at the conference.

Professional conference on teacher inquiry is April 5-6

“Leadership for Learning” is the thematic focus for the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning’s annual conference at Champlin Park High School April 5-6.

Approximately 900 learners in the M.Ed. Program from across the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin will come together for two days of shared learning.

The conference provides an opportunity to deepen participants’ understanding of their practice, explore ways to use classroom-based action research, and to develop instructional habits of mind that improve student learning and promote the well being of all learners.

For more information, or to attend, contact Suzanne Peterson, program director, Ext. 6615 or speterso@smumn.edu.

MCA auditions planned for summer intensive

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will hold auditions for acceptance to the MCA Summer Intensive 2008 throughout the Midwest.

Interested dance students can audition in Minneapolis March 29; Rockford, Ill., on April 12; or locally at Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St., Winona, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The audition class will include a full ballet class. Students with pointe experience should bring pointe shoes to the audition. Following the ballet class, students may choose to also show a prepared jazz, modern, tap, or character dance piece.

The MCA Summer Intensive will be held July 7-25. The program offers comprehensive dance training for intermediate and advanced dancers ages 11-25. Students participate in four to six classes per day on technique, theory and repertoire. Students will also rehearse for a final showcase performance, to be presented to families and friends on the closing night of the Intensive. Courses include: ballet, pointe, variations, repertory, pas de deux, jazz, rhythm tap, modern, hip hop, contact/improvisation, Pilates, dance conditioning, water aerobics, health and nutrition, make-up and costuming, and dance history, among others.

MCA is housed in the Valéncia Arts Center on the Saint Mary’s University Saint Teresa campus in Winona.

Boarding and non-boarding options are available. Tuition, including room and board fees for the three-week intensive, is $1,600. Full and partial talent-based scholarships are available. Scholarships are awarded based on the student’s audition class. Video auditions are accepted for students who cannot attend an audition class. Videos must be received by April 15. Visit www.smumn.edu/mca for video audition guidelines and for a complete listing of all MCA Summer Intensive audition class sites.

The application deadline for the MCA Summer Intensive is May 1. For a brochure and application, or for more general information about the MCA Summer Intensive, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5501.

Annual ‘Spruce Up Winona Day’ scheduled for April 18

Saint Mary’s, Winona State and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical will conduct the third annual “Spruce Up Winona Day,”on Friday, April 18, from 1 to 5 p.m.

“Spruce Up Winona Day” is a community-wide clean up project. This year’s event includes a flood relief component, in addition to working with Adopt-a-Block, downtown clean-up, the Elder Network and local residents.

Volunteers are needed to help with light cleanup or maintenance such as cleaning, raking, painting and picking up trash.

The event features three shifts: 1 to 3 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m., or both shifts, from 1-5 p.m.

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

Shields to speak at next ‘Brown Bag’ seminar

The next speaker for the Math and Science Brown Bag seminar series is Dr. Joe Shields from the Department of Mathematics. His presentation on Friday, April 11, is titled “Combining your Vocation with your Avocation” and will detail some simple mathematical models which are useful in the presenter’s hobby of SCUBA diving. The presentation will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Hoffman Hall, Room 301. Guests are welcome to bring a lunch, and beverages will be provided.

Study day radiothon to raise money for Habitat

Joe Dulak and Jeff Hefel will continue the traditional “study day” radiothon to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. This year’s show is Thursday, May 1, on KSMR 92.5/94.3 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. As with last year, auction items are needed as well as guest hosts to sit with the DJs for one-hour blocks. Please contact, Joe, Jeff or Matt Klosky at mklosky@smumn.edu if you care to donate time or an auction item.

Over the past three years this event has raised over $5,000 for Habitat. A website at www.jeffandjoe.wetpaint.com is now under construction to promote the event.

Jazz events

Dr. John Paulson will perform with the RCTC Jazz Quintet at 7 p.m. April 8 at the Rochester Community & Technical College Hill Theatre.

The John Paulson Trio will perform 6-9 p.m. March 8 at Michael’s Restaurant in Rochester.

Swing, Inc., featuring Eric Heukeshoven, will perform from 7-11 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Canadian Honker in Rochester.

Heukeshoven nominated for the Husky Hall of Fame

St. Anthony Village High School established an alumni hall of fame last year and inducted its first group of members. Dr. Janet Heukeshoven (Music Deptartment) has been nominated for membership this spring for a summer decision and possible induction fall of 2008.

St. Anthony Village is a Minneapolis suburb. Dr. Heukeshoven was nominated by one of the current music teachers in the school.

Warner senior recital scheduled for April 12

Davey Warner, Outdoor Leadership coordinator, will conduct his Senior Recital on Saturday, April 12, at 3 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. The recital will feature original compositions by Warner and will last about an hour. A reception will follow.

Faculty, staff reception is April 17

A special ceremony is planned for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in the Common Room. The university will recognize the anniversaries of employees, as well as this year’s retirees.

Documentary on African children to be shown April 9

“Invisible Children,” a documentary about the plight of child soldiers and “night commuters” in northern Uganda, will be shown 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at Saint Mary’s. The event — free and open to the public — will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall.

The documentary was filmed by three college students who traveled to Africa in “search of a story.” What they found was “a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.” Their film details the brutal attacks of a rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Cabinet to serve next Let’s Do Lunch April 10

Save the date: the next Let’s Do Lunch, to be held Thursday, April 10, will be hosted by members of the SMU Cabinet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Common Room. Bring your appetite and a freewill donation. Proceeds continue to help our SMU faculty and staff who are still recovering from the August flood. Let’s continue to show them our support!

Congratulations to Skranka family

Jay Skranka, dean of international student initiatives, and his wife, Vivien, had a baby girl, Elina Claire, on Thursday, March 20. The Saint Mary’s community extends its congratulations to the Skranka family.