Classes cancelled in honor of Brother William’s inauguration

All classes are cancelled on Sept. 26, so that faculty, staff and students are able to attend inauguration festivities. Mass will begin at 10 a.m. in the chapel.

Lunch will be served in the Toner Student Center, starting at 11:45 a.m.; faculty and staff will be dining upstairs. Robing begins at 1 p.m. The convocation begins at 2 p.m. in the gym, and will be followed by a reception in the fieldhouse.

Call Deb Nahrgang, Ext. 6966 or dnahrgan@smumn.edu, with questions. For more details, go to www.smumn.edu/inauguration.

Athletes, alumni honored at ‘M’ Club weekend festivities

Coach Don Olson was recognized by Athletic Director Nikki Fennern and Brother President William Mann.

Cassie Otte ’09 and Brady Knudsen ’08 were named Saint Mary's University's Outstanding Male and Female Athletes.

The 2008 Sports Hall of Fame inductees included, from left: Dick Kuehl ’57, Diane Kuehl (on behalf of her husband, the late Duane Kuehl ’58), Jen Garin ’99, Katie Kortsch ’95, and Brad Wiley ’90.

In recognition of their 2008 baseball and softball successes Brady Knudsen ’08 and Cassie Otte ’09 were named Saint Mary’s Outstanding Male and Female Athletes during the Cardinal ‘M’ Club Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony Sept. 13. Kevin Black ’08 and Kasey Schultz ’08 were named SMU’s Outstanding Male and Female Scholar Athletes.

Saturday evening’s festivities also included the induction of five new members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame: Jen Garin ’99 (fastpitch softball), Dick Kuehl ’57 (baseball), Duane Kuehl ’58 (baseball, posthumously), Katie Kortsch ’95 (women’s soccer) and Brad Wiley ’90 (men’s hockey).

In a special portion of Saturday’s ceremony, longtime hockey coach and athletic director Don Olson was recognized for his 32 years of service to Saint Mary’s; retiring faculty athletic representative Larry Luttmers was also honored.

The weekend kicked off with the seventh annual Cardinal ‘M’ Club golf outing, where more than 120 golfers converged on the Cedar Valley Golf Course. On Sunday, former student-athletes took part in alumni games in baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s hockey, swimming and diving, and tennis.

Reel Big Fish to headline Oct. 9 concert at Saint Mary’s

Reel Big Fish, a horn-driven ska punk band from California, will headline a Thursday, Oct. 9, concert at Saint Mary’s.

Doors to the gym will open at 6 p.m.; an opening band (yet to be named) will perform at 7:15 p.m., and Reel Big Fish will take the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Reel Big Fish is best known for the 1997 hit “Sell Out.” The band gained mainstream recognition during the 1990s. In 1998, the band appeared in the movie BASEketball, performing in the stands to pump up the crowd. Their performance at SMU connects their tours in Canada and Brazil.

Tickets are $15 for the general public. Saint Mary’s students will be admitted for free and have the option of purchasing a $10 additional ticket. SMU faculty and staff also pay $10. Tickets are available via the SMU Box Office, Ext.1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.smumn.edu/concert. The event is hosted by SMU’s Student Activities Committee.

Page Series opens Oct. 8 with Compañia Flamenco

Saint Mary’s Page Series will come alive with music, fiery footwork and brilliant costumes when José Porcel Compañia Flamenco takes the stage Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Known for their superb flamenco performances, José Porcel and his company of talented dancers will bring an explosion of rhythms, colors and emotions of the Spanish people to Page Theatre, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

A flamenco performance gives spectators an overwhelming sensation of happiness, a joyful and sensual mood. The October program features eight dances, ranging from electrifying solos by Porcel to larger pieces for the company of eight men and women. In addition, the audience will be treated to live performances by a musical ensemble and traditional flamenco singers.

Tickets for the performance are $22, $18 for seniors, $18 for students, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

New this year will be “student rush tickets.” Any student can purchase a “rush” ticket 20 minutes before the beginning of an event for $10. Students provide a valid picture ID; there’s a limit of one ticket per student and no reserved seats.

Volunteer Services plans ‘Make a Difference Day’

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Services group has invited Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Approximately 150 Saint Mary’s University students will be teamed up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help groups and organizations on Saturday, Oct. 25, in recognition of “Make a Difference Day.”

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.

For more information, call Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936 or e-mail volunteerservices@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s to host disc golf open Oct. 18

Saint Mary’s University and Innova Disc Golf will co-sponsor a 36-hole disc golf tournament Saturday, Oct. 18.

The tournament — open to the public — will be held on The Woods disc golf course. Beginners are encouraged to participate. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. in the Toner Student Center. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., and the second round will begin at 1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

Pre-register for the event at www.smumn.edu/thewoods. The cost for two rounds of 18 holes is $15 for students and $25 for the general public. Proceeds will go to maintaining the disc golf course and the Outdoor Leadership Program. Each participant will receive a commemorative Innova Fairway Driver Disc. On holes 1 and 18 there will be a $3 “Ace Pot” buy-in for confident players.

For more information, go to www.smumn.edu/thewoods or e-mail Davey Warner at outdoorleadership@smumn.edu.

SMU family weekend events set for Sept. 26 - 28

Saint Mary’s will host its annual Family Weekend on Sept. 26-28. The university has scheduled many events for families of students and the SMU community.

The weekend festivities include the 21st annual Fall Frolic Fun Run/Walk; SMU varsity sports contests; a Blue Angel variety show; the theatre department performance of “Bus Stop”; a choir and band concert; a jazz concert; and much more. For a complete list of family weekend events, visit on-line at www.smumn.edu/sitepages/pid2555.php.

For more information, call Chris Kendall at Ext. 1640.

Kaplan-commissioned piece to highlight SMU Concert Band, choirs concert Sept. 27

Marc Bernstein

The SMU Concert Band and three SMU choral ensembles will combine talents for a Family Weekend performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, in Page Theater.

The concert will mark the world premiere performance of “Ashkenazi Fathers,” composed for the SMU Concert Band by internationally recognized jazz saxophonist Marc Bernstein through the support of the Sam and Helen Kaplan Foundation. “Ashkenazi Fathers” is a celebration of the Jewish faith, especially the role fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers play in the lives of their children.

This performance marks the fifth in a series of commissions by the SMU Concert Band through 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.

Bernstein will present a special composer’s conversation, just prior to the performance, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Page Theatre. During this conversation, the composer will discuss the cultural inspiration for his piece and the evolution of his work.

The audience is also invited to join the performers for a reception honoring Bernstein after the concert.

Bernstein will travel from his home in Denmark to Saint Mary’s the week prior to the performance to serve in residency. He will rehearse with the band and work with SMU students in a variety of classes and rehearsals.
For more information about Bernstein, go to www.marcmusic.info.

The Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will open with Steven Reineke’s “Celebration Fanfare,” an exciting new work published just last year. Next the ensemble will play the hauntingly beautiful “As Summer was Just Beginning” — subtitled “Song for James Dean” — written by Larry Daehn in memory of actor James Byron Dean, who was tragically killed in a car accident at age 24 after a brief film career. “Ashkenazi Fathers” will conclude the first half of the Concert Band performance. A Saint Mary’s jazz combo will join the concert band for the premiere piece, and Bernstein will serve as the featured soprano saxophone soloist.

The second half of the concert features the SMU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, joined the Women’s Choir, directed by Lindsy O’Shea. Choral selections will include works by Schumann, Morley, Hassler, Nystedt, Mulholland, and choral arrangements by Philip Lawson and Bob Chilcott of the King’s Singers.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students or 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.

Bernstein and Heukeshoven will appear on HBC news on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Tune in to find out more details about Bernstein’s visit and the upcoming concert. The program airs at numerous times throughout the day.

SMU alum to enlighten students Sept. 25

As part of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, Todd VonBastiaans, a 1994 Saint Mary’s alum, will speak about how he has used his theatre set and lighting background to create a successful entrepreneurial venture on Thursday, Sept. 25. As the owner of Alios, VonBastiaans oversees many of the lights around Las Vegas. He also manages Trifecta Gallery in the Arts Factory.

VonBastiaans will make a presentation, beginning at 4 p.m., on how possible it is to chase your dream and shine. Admission is free and open to all students, faculty and staff. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Dominic Lawrence at Ext. 1486 or dlawrenc@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s to stage comedy ‘Bus Stop’ Sept. 25-28

Despite being trapped in a howling snowstorm, weary bus travelers find love and romance in a cheerful roadside diner during the Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre Arts production of “Bus Stop” Sept. 25-28, coinciding with SMU’s Family Weekend.

In this playful romantic comedy, written by William Inge and directed by Judy Myers, Cherie, a young and pretty nightclub singer has been kidnapped by a lovesick 21-year-old cowboy with a ranch of his own (and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull). Romances blossom as audiences are introduced to a roomful of colorful characters including an inebriated English professor, a virtuous bus driver and many more.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25, 26 and 27. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

Tickets for the performance — to be held in the Page Theatre — are $10, $5 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.

Volunteer Services to host Gilmore Creek cleanup

The Gilmore Creek (and The Woods disc golf course) cleanup will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. The annual cleanup, sponsored by Volunteer Services, provides faculty, staff and students an opportunity to get away from their computers and into the fresh air. SMU has adopted a 2-mile stretch of Gilmore Creek.

If you would like to help keep our creek clean, and get some great exercise, contact Katie LaPlant at kalaplan@smumn.edu or Ext. 6936.

‘Playhouse Creatures’ named as second theatre show

The SMU Theatre Department has changed one of its previously announced productions for the upcoming school year. New to the schedule is “Playhouse Creatures” written by April DeAngelis and directed by Dr. Steven Bouler — to be presented at the Valéncia Academy Theatre, Nov. 6-9.

Previously purchased tickets for the production “She Stoops To Conquer” will be honored.

Saint Mary’s students to present jazz concert Sept. 26

Two Saint Mary’s University jazz groups, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will kick off the year with a concert 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in Figliulo Recital Hall — in conjunction with SMU’s Family Weekend.

Internationally recognized jazz saxophonist Marc Bernstein — at SMU through the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation — will join students onstage.

The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble and six-piece Jazz Combo I will perform from 6 to 7 p.m., and two Jazz Workshop Combos, directed by Dr. Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven, will play for a reception following the concert in the Toner Student Center.

Jazz Combo I will play popular selections from the swing era and contemporary jazz. Student soloists in the combo include alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams of Little Falls, guitarist Sam Courtier of Red Wing, and Tom Briese on trombone from Rochester. The big band will play favorites from big band classics as well as new selections from today’s greatest arrangers. Student soloists in the big band include Peter Waldorf of Bloomington, Ill., on trumpet along with Courtier and Briese.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students or 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.

Free tickets available for faculty, staff

Faculty and staff are able to obtain two free tickets to any SMU-produced event (excluding the Page Series and “The Nutcracker”) — including Family Weekend performances by the jazz ensembles, Concert Band and choir ensembles, and theatre department presentation of “Bus Stop.”

Faculty and staff must come to the box office with your ID to claim your tickets.

Biology student to discuss Mayo Scholars Program

Bethany Kaupmann (a current SMU student), will discuss “The Mayo Scholars Program” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in Room 112, Hoffman Hall.

SMU professor published in Northeastern Naturalist

Dr. Phil Cochran, Biology, has published an article titled “A cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in Minnesota, and historical reports of other pit vipers unexpected in the Upper Midwest” in the journal Northeastern Naturalist (15:461-464). The cottonmouth in question was carried to Winona on a barge originally loaded in Louisiana and transported up the Mississippi River.

Next gallery show to feature computer illustration series

California artist Tom Lundquist will display images from his “Poissons de Chant” series — including #29 “Pursued by sheep, Joey Poisson adopts a desperate strategy” — Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 at Saint Mary’s University.

Tom Lundquist, a Minneapolis native and faculty member at Santa Monica College, Calif., will display images from his “Poissons de Chant” series Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Lundquist’s digital image series illustrates the adventures of a mythical troupe of singing fish from Montreal. Most of the characters are production assistants, agents, accountants, or animal performers that work for the fish. The elaborate narrative suggested in the prints doesn’t really exist. Though a number of people have suggested that Lundquist write a story to go with the illustrations, he says the only thing he really enjoys doing is making pictures. Lundquist has created an intricate fantasy world that will test your imagination. To learn more about Lundquist’s work, go to http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tomlundquist.

Admission is free and open to the public, and gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

George Christian to be featured in national magazine

A Connecticut man who spoke at Saint Mary’s last September is featured in an award-winning national magazine as one of “The Librarians Who Shushed the Patriot Act.”

George Christian and his colleagues, who challenged an order to give the FBI records about patrons’ use of library computers, are featured in the September/October issue of Mother Jones magazine. In May, Mother Jones won an Award for General Excellence from the American Society of Magazine Editors.

Christian, who was invited by the Social Science Department to speak in conjunction with Constitution Day, told a standing-room-only crowd in Figliulo Recital Hall last September that he and his colleagues fought the FBI order because they considered it unconstitutional.

Link to the story at www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/09/exit-strategy-americas-most-dangerous-librarians.html

For more information, contact Dr. Steve Schild, Ext. 1753.

Saint Mary’s to host guest pianist Kevin Ayesh Sept. 20

Saint Mary’s guest pianist Dr. Kevin Ayesh will present a free recital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in Figliulo Recital Hall. Ayesh has performed throughout the United States and has been the head of the Music Department at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, N.C., since 1992. As a North Carolina Visiting Artist, he appeared before thousands across that state between 1988 and 1992, performing as many as 100 recitals in a season.

During the past two seasons, Ayesh has performed and given master classes at Washington State University, Portland State University, Colorado State University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Tennessee, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the University of Rhode Island, Brevard Community College in Florida, and the Elkader Opera House in Elkader, Iowa.

Early deadline set for next week’s ‘Campus Notes’

Because of the inauguration activities on Friday, Sept. 26, next week’s “Campus Notes” will come out on Wednesday. Deadline for Wednesday’s edition is Monday, Sept. 22, at noon. Quickly take a look at your calendars for events coming up. The following “Campus Notes” will come out on Oct. 3.