Saint Mary’s sells part of Saint Teresa campus to Cotter

Saint Mary’s University has sold a portion of the Saint Teresa campus to Cotter High School. On Thursday, April 24, Cotter finalized the purchase of the 360 Vila Street complex, which includes the former College of Saint Teresa library building, the Cotter gymnasium, tennis facilities, and adjacent parking lots. The sale also includes the outdoor tennis courts located on the Saint Teresa campus and their adjacent parking lots.

In addition, Saint Mary’s University has donated and transferred ownership of the Cotter and Saint Mike’s fields to Cotter High School. In a letter sent to the Cotter community, President Craig Junker noted, “We are extremely thankful and grateful to Saint Mary’s University for its heartfelt support of Catholic education in Winona.”

In a letter to the SMU Community, Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis wrote, “We value our relationship with Cotter High School, and we are pleased that these Saint Teresa Campus facilities will continue to serve Catholic education in Winona. We also recognize the importance of the athletic fields to Cotter’s extracurricular programs. Saint Mary’s is pleased to donate the fields, knowing that they are in good hands and will serve Cotter students and the Winona community for years to come.”

Cotter has entered into an agreement with the Winona Area Tennis Association (WATA) to manage and operate the tennis facilities. WATA will provide tennis programming to the Winona community and continue to provide Saint Mary’s tennis teams access to the courts.

Saint Mary’s now owns and operates the center block of the Saint Teresa campus, including the Alverna Center, Valéncia Arts Center, and Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels.

Last chance to get cheap tickets for Hustle Up Street Ball

The high-flying and mesmerizing “Hustle Up Street Ball Tour” 2008 — starring Hotsauce, Highrizer, Springs, Spyda, and Ghost — dribbles its way onto the Saint Mary’s University court on Sunday, April 27.

Tickets at the door are $20. Advance tickets are $13 and are available in Room 8 at the Toner Student Center or by calling 6936. Tickets can be purchased at the discount rate until Saturday at 4 p.m. For tickets on Saturday, call (612) 382-3041.

Watch SMU seniors Mike Rohr, Eric Lear and Dan Cormier take on the Hustle Up Streetball team.

The streetball legends, which have been described as Generation-X Harlem Globetrotters, will be playing against the best basketball players that Winona has to offer inside the SMU gymnasium. The tour promises a “night of tenacious dunks, incredible passing and the most unbelievable tricks you have ever seen.” The best streetball players in the world promise “the most exciting basketball event ever to hit Winona.” Doors open at 6 p.m., and tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Hustle Up Streetball is dedicated to showcasing this unique and extraordinary playground-style basketball to the youth of various communities. Because streetball has been so far limited to the major cities, “Hustle Up” (sponsored in conjunction with JUMPUSA.COM and K1X) brings the hottest streetball players to the smaller markets. The Hustle Up Streetball tour began over three years ago with only 10 tour dates. The 2008 tour will hit 35 cities throughout the country. During visits, players not only show off their basketball skills but also speak to students about the importance of education and staying away from gangs.

The members of the team, including Hotsauce, Highrizer, Springs, Ghost, JFK, Big Swoal, Pat DS Rock, Spyda and A-Money, have participated in one or more of the following events, videos and movies: the Mountain Dew/AND1 Mixtape Tour; the Magic Johnson/MTV “Who’s Got Game” Reality TV show; Nike Dribbling Commercials (the Nike Freestyle Team); ESPN & ESPN2’s Street Ball Series; the movies “Above the Rim,” “On Hallowed Ground” and/or “Crossover” (2006); various EA Sports Street Ball Video Games (representing characters); and they’ve played on or captained a team in the legendary NY Rucker Park Basketball Games.

The half-time show will feature a slam-dunk exhibition and pre-expo warm-up. An autograph session will be held after the game.

For more information about The Hustle Up Street Ball Tour, visit www.hustleupstreetball.com.

Ethnic percussion ensemble plans spring concert April 30

The Batucada Nossa Senhora ethnic percussion ensemble of Saint Mary’s will present its 16th annual spring concert 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Page Theatre. Batucada Nossa Senhora translates to “Percussion Ensemble of Our Lady.”

The performance, under the direction of Denny McGuire, will consist of music from Brazil, Cuba and Puerto Rico, combining for an enriching multi-cultural experience for all ages. Batucada members include SMU students, many of whom are music majors, as well as community members.

Performers use a variety of unique instruments including: the authentic surdo, tamborim, agogó, reco-reco, ganzá, and pandeiro from the Samba Baterias of Brazil, as well as hand-drums such as conga and bongó from the Cuban tradition. From Africa, they also use gongoque and beaded gourds of many types (most of which are made by members of the group) as well as instruments such as the berimbau and talking drum.
The John Paulson Quartet, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson of the SMU music department, will open the show. The quartet also includes Michael James, Josh Shively and Larry Dalton.

Tickets are $6, $4 for students and seniors and may be purchased online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Performance Center box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

WSU, SMU present Hop-a-Concert jazz performances today

WSU (top) and SMU (bottom) jazz students will perform April 25.

Winona State and Saint Mary's jazz ensembles will present a Hop-a-Concert – five jazz performances featuring Winona’s talented college students — at both schools (and the Acoustic Café) on the same day, Friday, April 25.

This event is the first-ever collaboration between students of the two jazz programs. John Paulson and Rich MacDonald, directors of jazz studies at SMU and WSU, decided to plan this evening of jazz after collaborating on live monthly jazz jam sessions at the Acoustic Café in Winona.

• From 6 to 7 p.m., two SMU Workshop Jazz Combos, directed by Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven, will perform a casual pre-concert set in the SMU Performance Center lobby.

• From 7 to 7:45 p.m., the SMU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Paulson, performs in Page Theatre, also in the SMU Performance Center.

• From 7:45 to 8:30 p.m., WSU Jazz Combos perform, directed by Richard Hammergren, perform in the WSU Performing Arts Center lobby.

• From 8:30 to 9:15 p.m. the WSU Jazz Ensemble, directed by MacDonald, performs on WSU’s PAC mainstage.

• And from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. SMU and WSU select Jazz Combos close the jam at the Acoustic Café.

This event brings the students together in a unique production, which will feature both large jazz ensembles and small group combos.

Admission to both events is $10 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at either WSU or SMU. At SMU, call Ext. 1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org. Individual concert tickets may also be purchased at the two venues.

Rodeheffer awarded $60,000 Lilly Fellows grant

Jane Kelley Rodeheffer, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, has been awarded a $60,000 grant from the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts. The program was established in 1991 to strengthen the quality, and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning for the 21st century.

The Lilly Fellows Program is funded in part by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., an Indianapolis-based private foundation with longstanding interests in education, religion and community development. It offers graduate and post- doctoral fellowships for young scholars who wish to renew their sense of vocation within a Christian community of learning in order to prepare themselves for positions of educational leadership within church-related institutions.

Together with a faculty member from Baylor University, Rodeheffer was selected to serve as a mentor to the first cohort of 15 graduate Lilly Fellows. She and her colleague will facilitate the communication and collaboration of these fellows with one another in areas of research, teaching, and professional development, beginning in the summer of 2008 and ending in the fall of 2011. Lilly graduate fellows and mentors will participate in conferences, group readings, and online and video-based discussions over the course of the three-year program.

The grant awarded to Rodeheffer will fund travel and a quarter-time reassignment from teaching to mentor the cohort of graduate fellows, and fund a conference, to be held on the campus of Saint Mary’s University in the summer of 2009 or 2010. The Lilly Conference will allow graduate fellows to collaborate with each other and with senior scholars and luminaries who integrate research, vocation and an interest in Catholic and Protestant higher education.

After a rigorous interview process, the first cohort of graduate fellows was recently chosen from a pool of recent graduates of church-related schools in the Lilly Fellows Program National Network. Rodeheffer participated in a panel presentation on “The Integration of Christian Faith with Teaching, Scholarship, and Family Life” at the initial conference of the Lilly Graduate Fellows on April 12, 2008.

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. Events will run from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a reception.

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.

Tickets are $25; $10 for SMU students. For more information, visit www.smumn.edu/hendricksonforum.

Saint Mary’s choirs to perform at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Women’s Choir will present a Spring Concert on Saturday, April 26, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

A wide range of music, both accompanied and unaccompanied, will be offered, including works by Purcell, Bruckner, Hovland, Rutter, Mendelssohn, Stenhammar and Bernstein. The Concert Choir and Chamber Singers are directed by Dr. Patrick M. O’Shea, and the Women’s Choir is directed by Peter Schleif. Also appearing will be the Saint Mary’s University String Ensemble.

Tickets are $6 for adults or $4 for students and seniors and are available through the SMU Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at Ext. 1715. Tickets are also available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the door.

Senior art show to run through May 10 at SMU

These two pieces, on display through May 10 at the Saint Mary’s University senior art show, are by Bridgette Baggio (top) and Ashley Wendlandt (bottom).

Saint Mary’s University senior art students will present the next art show, “zero hour,” through May 10 at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. Artists displaying include: Bridgette Baggio, Kimberly Koecheler, Joseph Manley, Katie Mathews, Sarah O’Brien, Madeline Pieper, Ashley Wendlandt, Josh Barrett, Hilary Oas, Emerald Hulsing, Satoshi Hayashi, Mary Moses, Jeffrey Paul and Seth Weeks.

The galleries — free and open to the public — are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in the Toner Student Center.

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. Registration was due April 14.

Racers are responsible for bringing their own bikes, and are 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 visit www.smumn.edu/heartandsoul.

Students present hymn-sing April 29 at Faith Lutheran

Tony Freeman

Organ students from Saint Mary’s will present a recital and hymn-sing from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1717 West Service Dr.

SMU students Tony Freeman, James Possin and Jake Vercimak, along with their instructor, A. Eric Heukeshoven, will perform selected works by Flor Peeters and John Ferguson, as well as traditional hymn tunes. The recital will also feature two original works. “Evening Hymn” by Freeman is based on an original hymn text by Father Paul Nienaber, assistant professor of physics at Saint Mary’s. This performance will mark the public premiere of Freeman’s work. “Reflections” by A. Eric Heukeshoven will feature Dr. Janet Heukeshoven (also a member of the SMU music faculty) on flute.

The event is free and the public is invited to come, sing, and listen to this uplifting music.

For more information, contact Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@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 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 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.

Landrum named men’s basketball coach

Todd Landrum will take over as the new men’s basketball coach Aug. 1. He currently serves as the youth/scholastic coordinator for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves organization.

Prior to his current stint with the Timberwolves, Landrum was a member of the UW-Platteville coaching staff, first as an assistant coach and then as the team’s head coach. He has also spent 10 years as an assistant coach in the Big Ten, first at Wisconsin and then at Ohio State — where the Buckeyes reached three NCAA tournament appearances and earned an NIT title.

Zimmerman named women’s soccer coach

Eric Zimmerman will take over as the women’s soccer coach. He served as an assistant under Saint Mary's University women's soccer coach Chris Dembiec a year ago and has worked in the Coulee Region United Soccer Association since 2000 — while also serving five years as an assistant coach for the Viterbo men's soccer program, as well as the V-Hawks' interim head coach for the 2004 season.

Eubank, Merchlewitz and Fox serve as delegates to Midwest District Congress

Dr. Roxanne Eubank (professor, Ed.D. in Leadership, Twin Cities campus), Ann Merchlewitz (vice president and general counsel) and Dr. Mary Fox (professor of Interdisciplinary Studies) participated as delegates to the Midwest District Congress of the Brothers of the Christian Schools April 16-19 at the Techny Towers Conference Center near Northbrook, Ill.

The Congress, a gathering of 44 elected delegates from Lasallian ministries throughout the Midwest District, was the final element in a three-part chapter process that began with a convocation at Lewis University last summer. The convocation provided a forum to present and study the issues facing the district. Last fall, a Brothers’ Congress at Mundelein, Ill., was convened to focus on district issues relevant to the Brothers and the recently completed study titled “Being Brothers Today.” Both meetings also reviewed the work of 44th General Chapter which concluded in Rome, Italy, last spring.

The uniting theme of all three components of this year's Midwest Chapter was “Community Carries Charism.” At its most basic level, the chapter emphasizes areas of focus for the district for the next five years. The chapter is part of the governance structure of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and therefore linked to all Lasallians.

Brother Frank Carr, FSC, Visitor of the Midwest District (and Saint Mary's University trustee) addressed the congress regarding the need for a clear identity. He reminded the delegates that, “We need to connect Lasallian to Catholic, the context out of which we come, so as not to drift from our roots.” Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, General Councilor for the United States/Toronto Region, also attended and updated delegates on the work of the General Chapter held in Rome, Italy, last spring.

The congress passed a resolution of interest to our university community which states:

“Be it resolved that the Midwest District encourages its universities (Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tenn.; Lewis University, Romeoville, Ill.; and Saint Mary’s University, Winona) to imbed a Lasallian formation component in graduate/professional programs to aid ministries in planning for leadership, succession, and emerging needs of the ministries.”

Study day radiothon to raise money for Habitat

On May 1, Jeff Hefel and Joe Dulak will take to the KSMR (92.5 on your campus radio dial and 94.3 for your off-campus enjoyment) air waves to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Last year Hefel and Scott Deml raised $3,100 for this noble cause.

Auction items are needed. To donate an item contact Jeff Hefel, Joe Dulak, Kathy Pedersen, or Matt Klosky via e-mail. If you wish to spend an hour with the DJs, contact Klosky.

Current Auction Items include:
• Dinner prepared by Tom and Ryan
• Guitar Lessons from Adam Stasika
• 2 dozen peanut butter cookies from Jeff’s wife
• 1 throw-sized quilt (minimum bid $50.00) courtesy of Carmen Aslesen
• 1 used POM case, courtesy of Jason Richter

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.

SMU Chamber Musicians to perform April 27

Saint Mary’s University student chamber music ensembles will present their annual spring recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. A variety of musical compositions from the Baroque Era to contemporary times will be performed by flute duets, clarinet and mixed woodwind trios, flute and clarinet duets, brass quintet, and woodwind nonette.

Composers represented include Vivaldi, Schultz, Gounod, Kaisershot and others. The performance is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact chamber music coordinator, Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.

SMU raises $14,500 at Relay for Life

Saint Mary’s University hosted its first Relay for Life April 19-20. A total of $14,500 was raised, and 170 people participated in the event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. Additionally five cancer survivors — including SMU’s Sister Claire Korte, Dr. Jane Kelly Rodeheffer, and Meghan Parranto.

Saint Mary’s seniors honored at Academic Honors ceremony

Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding senior students Wednesday, April 16, at the annual Senior Academic Honors Banquet. Highlights of the evening included the announcement of graduate and professional school acceptances, grants and fellowships, and the awarding of the following special honors:

American Institute of Chemists Award (chemistry award) — Nicholas Swanson
American Chemical Society Award (chemistry award) — Michael Mulholland
Wall Street Journal Award/Business Student of the Year (business award) — Amanda Christman
Kevin Martineau Award (business award) — Rebecca Yerhot
Outstanding Accounting Major (business award) — Kevin Black
Outstanding International Business Major (business award) — Kristina Koecheler
Outstanding Management Major (business award) — Ashley Andrescik
Outstanding Marketing Major (business award) — Anastacia Sontag
Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Philosophy (philosophy award) — Timothy Hepner
Gerald E. Sullivan Award (theatre arts award) — Walter Claassen
Michael G. Flanagan Award (theatre arts award) — Andrew Winecke
Brother Leo Northam Award (mathematics award) — Sarah Ruether
Future Alumni Committee Scholarship — Jeffrey David
Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Awards — Timothy Hepner and Kasey Schultz

Saint Mary’s seniors honored at Student Life ceremony

Saint Mary’s recognized outstanding senior students (and some faculty and staff) Wednesday, April 9, at the Student Life Awards Ceremony. Several awards were handed out to seniors that made a noticeable impact on student life at SMU. Awards included:

Brother Finbar McMullen Award (presented to an SMU community member that demonstrates him/herself to be an individual who unselfishly meets the needs of the undergraduate students of Saint Mary's University) — Nikki Richmond, Campus Ministry/ Student Activities secretary
Charlene “Char” Tjaden Outstanding Resident Assistant Award — Gary Borash
Club and Organization Advisor of the Year — Nancy Edstrom, Interdisciplinary Studies senior lecturer and advisor for BUDDIES.
Club and Organization of the Year — Abby Zimmer on behalf of Habitat for Humanity
Intramural Most Valuable Players — John Geske and Lee Coleman
Volunteer of the Year Award — Brittany Staver
Outstanding Student Senator of the Year Award — Neil Leibundguth
Winona Community Service Award — Jessica Evers and Abby Zimmer
Brother James Miller Award (presented to a student(s) that dedicated his/her college experience to promoting the legacy of Brother James Miller, spreading the compassion of God and continually serving the community) — Laura Holupchinski and Anthony Freeman
Student Service Award — Kasey Schultz

Baker named to Board of Governors Leadership Council

Jackie Baker, director of internships, has been named to the Board of Governors for the Midwest Cooperative Education and Internship Association (MCEIA). She will represent the State of Minnesota on the Board’s Leadership Council. Members of the Leadership Council are appointed as liaisons to the Board by their respective state organizations and have tenure of one year. The Leadership Council will be discussing issues that are significant to the Midwest in economic development strategies, common themes within the region, and the value of MCEIA to its constituents.

The Midwest Cooperative Education Internship Association is a non-profit organization of educators, employers, and groups from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The organization seeks to promote an understanding of the significance and value of cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning; strengthen the functioning of cooperative education, internships and other experiential learning; and provide a source of information about cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning.

Daul-Elhindi named education librarian

The library is pleased to announce the appointment of Carol Daul-Elhindi to the newly created position of education librarian. She will be responsible for the library’s bibliographic instruction program and for developing new programs for promoting and implementing information literacy across campus. She will take up her duties in June after the library expects to hire a new inter-library loan librarian to fill Daul-Elhindi’s current position. Please place any requests for library instruction with her at cdaulelh@smumn.edu.

Reminder: Next week is last ‘Campus Notes’ of school year

Look ahead on your calendars. Next week, May 2, is the last issue of ‘Campus Notes’ for the school year. The deadline for this last issue is Wednesday, April 30.

Though there isn’t a newsletter throughout the summer, this campus is active year round. Please continue to keep the Office of Communication and Marketing informed of events throughout the summer. Call Deb Nahrgang, Ext. 6966, with story ideas or communication needs.