Saint Mary’s hosts pianist George Winston Dec. 19

Solo pianist George Winston will fill the Page Theatre with the sounds of the transcendent beauty of nature and the changing seasons, as well as a tribute to New Orleans musicians on Friday, Dec. 19.

His 7:30 p.m. performance, part of the Page Series, will also draw attention to the Winona Volunteer Services Food Shelf. A food drive is held at all of Winston’s concerts. Attendees are asked to bring canned goods and nonperishable food to the show; drop-off areas will be set up in the lobby.

Winston, best known for his melodic rural folk piano style, will play selections from his latest CD, “Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions — A Hurricane Relief Benefit,” as well as from his melodic seasonal recordings including “December” and “Winter Into Spring.”

In 1972, Winston released his first solo album, “Ballads and Blues”; he currently has 11 solo albums. His musical genre ranges from New Orleans R&B piano to stride piano and folk piano. Winston has performed more than 2,500 concert dates, with more than 3 million tickets sold.

Tickets for the Page Theatre performance are $25, $20 for seniors and students, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Enjoy dinner and a show. Chartwells Catering will provide a pre-show dinner in the Toner Student Center. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Regular dinners cost $20 and include chicken, beef and vegetarian options, water, milk, coffee, tea, vegetable, and dessert. Children's dinners cost $12 and include mac-n-cheese or chicken fingers with French fries, water, milk, vegetable, gelatin cup, and two cookies. Dinner tickets are also available at www.pagetheatre.org.

Dance Repertory Company presents ‘The Nutcracker’

The Dance Repertory Company of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts — in association with Merchants Bank — will present the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” through Dec. 7.

The 2008 cast includes 100 members — including students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State University, and children and community members from the Winona area. In addition to beautiful dancing, this year’s production will feature a special choral performance by MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers at the conclusion of Act I in the Land of Snow.

“The Nutcracker” performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Page Theatre. The evening performances are recommended for children ages 5 and older. The Sunday, Dec. 7, afternoon performance is considered a “family event” and children ages 2 and older are welcome. At this time, the Page Theatre facilities and programs are not equipped to serve the needs of infants.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens and are available at the Saint Mary’s Box Office at Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.pagetheatre.org. Faculty and staff can receive two free tickets.

SMU Concert Band to give holiday performance Dec. 7

The Saint Mary’s Concert Band will present a multi-cultural holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. Cecilia Theater, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the band will perform Polish music composed by John de Meii, Russian Christmas music by Alfred Reed, and a Chanukah celebration written by David Bobrowitz and Kenneth Soper. In addition, SMU student conductors will lead the band in two arrangements. “Away in a Manger,” composed by Chip Davis and adapted for concert band by Robert Longfield, will be directed by Ryan Ballanger; “Variations on Deck the Halls,” arranged by Robert W. Smith, will be conducted by Gosia Paidosh.

The music will continue to flow after the formal concert. A Christmas cookie reception in the lobby will include lively jazzy carols, a brass quintet, a flute choir and a clarinet ensemble.

Tickets are $10, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Saint Mary’s University choirs to present ‘Lessons & Carols’

Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The performance — a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through sung and spoken word — will held at Chapel of Saint Mary’s of the Angels, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Music will include some familiar carols, as well as selections by Byrd, Hassler, Rutter, Nystedt, Mozart, and a variety of other composers from Renaissance to the present.

The concert will feature the premiere of “Ovejita,” a setting of a Lorca poem in English translation by composer William Neil. The setting is for women’s voices and harp, and harpist Elinor Niemisto will join the women of the Concert Choir for the premiere. Neil's composition, along with a major work in preparation for the 2009 SMU Spring Choir Concert, is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Provost Pre-Finals Breakfast set for Dec. 11

The Office of the Provost and Chartwells Food Service will again sponsor the Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast for students.

Faculty members are invited to participate in the event. The breakfast will be served from 10 to 11:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Toner Center Dining Room. This popular event is usually attended by at least 650 students. About 25 faculty and staff assist with cooking, serving, and cleaning up. By tradition, second- year full-time faculty are asked to cook and serve from 9 to 10:30 p.m. First-year full-time faculty are asked to serve and clean up from 10:15 to 11:45 p.m. However, all faculty and staff are welcome to participate in this festive event.

Faculty are invited to join students in singing Christmas carols, and Santa will be making an appearance. If you are willing to help with this event, contact Barb Schmidtknecht at Ext. 6678.

Students sell Christmas lights to benefit ‘Gifts for Winona’

Volunteers will sell Christmas lights through Tuesday, Dec. 9, for the “You Light Up My Life” fundraiser for Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona. The lights cost $5. All of the profits will benefit Gifts for Winona to help families in the community during the holiday season.

During the Dec. 12 Provost’s Breakfast, everyone on campus is asked to turn on their Christmas lights.

SMU ‘Let’s do Lunch’ scheduled for today

The next “Let’s do Lunch” is scheduled for today, Friday, Dec. 5, and is sponsored by the SMU Cabinet. Money from the potluck-type meal will be given to our Nairobi campus. The “Let’s Do Lunch” and “Jeans for a Cause” fundraisers are hosted by the SMU Volunteer Committee.

‘Gifts for Winona’ seeks donations for families in need

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees are up. This community-wide program — in its seventh year — provides gifts to less-fortunate families during the holiday season. Last year the Winona community provided gifts to more than 1,500 residents. This year more than 1,800 individuals — a record number — have asked for help.

Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, are available on one of the trees located in the Toner Center and Saint Mary’s Hall.

Return gifts to the Business Office by Dec. 10. A monetary donation can also be made to sponsor the purchase of gifts; make checks payable to SMU GFW and send to Gifts for Winona, Box #8 or drop off at the Business Office windows.

‘Toys for Teens’ hosted by CAC accepting donations

The Cardinal Athletic Council will host its “Toys for Teens” holiday giving drive by the stairs in the Toner Student Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m. today through Dec. 10.

Bring a gift appropriate for a teenage boy or girl to be entered into a drawing for gift certificates around Winona. Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase toys. CAC will be competing with all other MIAC schools for the highest percentage of toy collection.

For more information, contact Melissa Paulson at mmpaul05@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s represented at Huether Conference

Saint Mary’s was well represented at the 35th Annual Huether Lasallian Conference, Nov. 20-22, in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Mary Catherine Fox, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Sr. Judith Schaefer, OP, Ph.D., Theology, presented two fully subscribed breakout sessions titled, “The Twelve Virtues of a Lasallian Educator: A Global Lens for the 21st Century.”

This year’s conference theme, Global Learning and Social Responsibility through a Lasallian Education, gathered a diverse group of presenters and attendees from Lasallian schools, universities and service agency ministries across the United States and Toronto Region.

The SMU contingent included 10 members of the faculty and staff from both the Winona and Twin Cities campuses, including (in addition to Dr. Fox and Sister Judith) Brother Lawrence Humphrey, director of Mission; Dr. Roxanne Eubank, director of the Institute for Lasallian Studies; Tim Gossen, dean of Students; Dr. Tycho deBoer, assistant professor of history; Dr. Jack McClure associate professor, SGPP; and Chris McClead and Lynn Streefland from Campus Ministry. Sarah Fischer, SGPP admissions recruiter, also attended and worked the SMU exhibit booth showcasing the Institute for Lasallian Studies to the many interested attendees.

As always, SMU alums who now serve at Lasallian schools and universities were in attendance and enjoyed reconnecting. Highlights of the conference included: an international opening prayer service held in real-time and simulcast from Lasallian venues in Bethlehem, Nairobi, Mexico City, Manila, and St. Louis; remarks by the Superior General, Brother Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria; and keynotes by Reverend Drew Christiansen, S.J. editor-in-chief of America; Dr. Eboo Patel, founder and director, Interfaith Youth Core; and His Excellency Reverend Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, MM, President, United Nations General Assembly, 63rd Session.

‘Study Abroad Photo Contest’ winners to be announced Dec. 10

The Study Abroad Office will open its “Study Abroad Photo Contest” display at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Fitzgerald Library. The top 12 photos, submitted by Mike DeGidio, Alex Gorgone, Alison Kay, Anna Keller, Erin O’Keefe, Caitlin Radtke, Jillian Reinboldt, Sarah Weir, and Danielle Zauher, will be on display. The winners of the photo contest will be announced at a reception following the opening.

Volunteer Services accepting cookie orders until Dec. 16

Volunteer Services will receive orders until Dec. 16 for a cookie fundraiser to supplement the cost of service trips. For more information, contact Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936.

Holiday services announced

The Patronal Feast is scheduled for 12:10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8, and the Christmas Light Service is set for 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11.

Six students receive Tribeta research grants

Saint Mary’s University biology students, from left, Maria Borgerson, Nicole Haese, Ben Linder, Melanie Tyler. and Lori Brunner, received Beta Beta Beta research scholarships.

Six biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships. Students submitted a proposal for their senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students and their research advisors are Maria Borgerson, (Dr. Debra Martin); Nicole Haese (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath); Ben Linder (Dr. Debra Martin); Melanie Tyler, (Dr. Martin); and Lori Brunner, (Dr. Richard Kowles). Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta faculty advisor.

SMU program in nuclear medicine reaccredited

The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology has continued the accreditation of the Saint Mary’s degree program in Nuclear Medicine Technology until 2013. The program operates in conjunction with clinical sites at three hospitals in the Chicago area.

Special congratulations go to Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, associate professor of biology and director of Allied Health Programs, for her excellent work leading the self study report and accrediting team visit.

Johnson completes Ph.D.

Dr. Peggy Johnson, director of the Writing Center, completed her Ph.D. in Composition and Rhetoric at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She successfully defended her dissertation, “A Pedagogy of Love: Exploring Emotion, Spirit and Intellect in the Basic Writing Classroom” on Nov. 13. Dr. Johnson’s degree will be officially awarded at IUP’s December commencement. She has also earned degrees from the State University of New York and the University of North Dakota.

Jazz News

SMU Jazz groups will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Westfield Golf Course.

Remicks honored at AFP Day Nov. 10

Jack and Mary Ann Remick, SMU trustee, were honored as Outstanding Philanthropists at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southern Minnesota Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 10.

English faculty present at convention in Minneapolis

Dr. Carolyn Ayers, English Department, and Dr. Brooke Lenz, English Department, recently moderated a session titled “Situated Narratives” at the annual convention of the Midwest Modern Language Association in Minneapolis. During this session, they also presented a paper titled “Contesting Narratives in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions and The Book of Not,” which focused on the authenticity, ethical imperatives, and narrative form of the narrator’s story.

SMU faculty attend NASM Conference in Seattle

Dr. Ned Kirk, Music Department, and Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, accreditation renewal coordinator, both attended the NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) conference in Seattle Nov. 21-25. NASM is the national agency which granted SMU full membership in 2005. The first renewal process will be completed during the 2010-11 academic year, with renewals once every 10 years thereafter.

Student Activities Committee gathers 422 pounds of food

The Student Activities Committee participated in the 10 Days of Giving Program, which collects food for the Winona Volunteer Services Food Shelf. On Monday Dec. 1, the Student Activities Committee did a door-to-door campaign in all of the residents halls. They collected 422 pounds of food and raised $91.24 for the food shelf.

SMU in the news

As an effort to let our university community know all the ways SMU is “making the news” — in the Winona area and beyond — the Communication and Marketing Office will provide a regular list of stories highlighting SMU that are featured in the print media.

• The Winona Daily News published an editorial titled “Gone (for now), but not forgotten” about the decision to suspend the Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre after its second season. The article appeared Nov. 25.

•The Daily News also published a article on Dec. 3 titled “‘Nutcracker’ features record number of male dancers.”A video clip is located on the Daily News mainpage.

•The Winona Post’s Nov. 23 issue included an article titled“Gifts for Winona fills big needs.”

•Ashley Otte, a Saint Mary’s SGPP student, came within a feather of winning $2 million on the Thanksgiving episode of the popular NBC TV show “Deal or No Deal.” Otte took home $260,000. To read her story go to http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=372682. The Rochester Post Bulletion and several other area media reported the story.

•The Christian Brothers of the Midwest publication Partners in Mission featured a variety of Saint Mary’s news including a story about the Lasallian Teacher Immersion Program, a feature about Brother President William Mann, and a photograph from Brother William’s inauguration.

•The Daily News wrote a story called “Sounds like history: Composer looks to Winona’s past for inspiration” about William Neil. Neil’s work will premiere at the “Lessons and Carols” concert. The article appeared on Nov. 25.

Let us know so we can share

Whenever you have news to share, call Deb Nahrgang, director of communication-Winona, at Ext. 6966 or e-mail dnahrgan@smumn.edu. The venues we use to share the good news about Saint Mary’s include “Campus Notes,” internal e-mails, news pitches to media, press releases, the alumni magazine, university e-newsletters, brochures, the website and more.

Reminder: last ‘Campus Notes’ before break is next week

Because of Christmas break, next week is the last “Campus Notes” in December, so look ahead on your calendars. After break, the next issue of “Campus Notes” will be released Jan. 9. The deadline for that issue is Jan. 7.

Sympathy to Wnuk, Wiltgen families

Evelyn Wnuk, who served as the executive secretary for Brother Louis DeThomasis for 13 years, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Winona. A card of condolence can be sent to Mark Johnstone and family, 567 East Broadway, Winona.

Kathleen (Katie) Jo Wiltgen, daughter of alum Patrick Wiltgen ’75 and granddaughter of former Saint Mary’s coach and faculty member Ken Wiltgen, died Saturday, Nov. 29, due to injuries from a car accident. Nancy Witgen, Development and Alumni Relations, is Kathleen’s cousin. Several other extended family members are SMU alumni as well.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Wnuk and Wiltgen families.