Student History Research Symposium is April 18 at SMU

Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 18, at Saint Mary’s. 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, and Winona State University.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Kendall Staggs, lecturer in history at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, will speak on “The Politics of Foreign Oil Dependency: A Historical Perspective.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for nine years, with UW-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and UW-Eau Claire joining in the past two years. 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. Students will present their research in concurrent panels of three students each. The first panel session starts at 9:15 a.m., the second at 10:45 a.m. Dr. Staggs’s talk will start around noon and will be accompanied by a complimentary lunch.

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

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

The third Saint Mary’s University Heart & SOUL “Row, Ride, Run Triathlon” will take place on Saturday, April 25, 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.

Serving Others United in Love (SOUL) is a program of the Office of Campus Ministry, and offers opportunities to members of the SMU community to serve and be served through both national and international mission trips.

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.

Racers are responsible for bringing their own bike, 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, or to register online, visit www.smumn.edu/heartandsoul. For information on reservations, call Ext. 1643.

Saxophonist David Liebman to complete two-day residency

Photo by Pin Lim

The community is invited to listen to and learn from world-renowned saxophonist David Liebman Thursday and Friday, April 16-17, as he completes a two-day residency at Saint Mary’s University.

Liebman will perform with the Jazz Ensemble and Combos, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, in Page Theatre. He will also give a special “meet the artist” session at 6:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. Both venues are located in the Performance Center. Tickets to the performance are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Additionally, Liebman will offer two master classes — both free and open to the public — including:

• A Jazz Improvisation Master Class for students, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in Page Theatre, and

• An Improv Master Class for teachers and pros, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, April 17, in Page Theatre.

The residency is made possible through funding from the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation and the Department of Music. For more information, contact Paulson at jpaulson@smumn.edu Ext. 1596, or go online to www.daveliebman.com.

‘Talkin’ Jazz’ luncheon is April 17

Faculty members should mark their calendars for a special luncheon Friday, April 17, at 12:15 p.m. in the President’s Room hosted by Dr. Tom Mans. The subject is “Talkin’ Jazz” and special guests include world renowned saxophonist and Miles Davis group veteran David Liebman, Dr. Rich MacDonald, director of Jazz Studies at WSU, and Dave Gudmastad, band director at Cotter High School. The panel will have a spirited discussion about the current status of jazz. The event is being organized by Dr. John Paulson, professor of music. Those planning should attend, should contact Christina Pruka at cpruka@smumn.edu.

Chemistry faculty/students attend ACS national meeting

Drs. Jaime Mueller and Roger Kugel and four senior chemistry majors, Bethany Kaufmann, Emily Mason, Jim Mazzuca and Justin Steinke, attended the 237th American Chemical Society national meeting in Salt Lake City March 22-24.

Dr. Mueller presented a poster titled: “Chemistry Night: Formula for a Successful Program of Outreach and Recruitment,” and Dr. Kugel presented a poster titled: “Deriving the Boltzmann Distribution from Simple Combinatorics.” Both posters generated considerable interest among chemists in the Chemical Education Division’s poster session. The group also attended many of the more than 7,000 technical papers presented at this national conference and also benefited from the informal interactions and professional networking opportunities. Student travel was subsidized by Student Senate and by a grant from the Fugere Family Foundation.

Art students to display work through May 9

Ann Kolaczkowski is one of seven students displaying work in the senior art show, “Squaring the Circle: Constructing the Impossible” March 29 through May 9 at Saint Mary’s University.

Senior art students will display their work through May 9 in “Squaring the Circle: Constructing the Impossible.” The show — free and open to the public — will be held in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Displaying work will be: Michael DeGidio, Mary Margaret Gill, Ann Therese Kolaczkowski, Natalie Nemetz, Samantha Oreskovich, Andrew Rath and Cassie Ward.

An opening reception is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18. The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open daily between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Famous Dave’s founder presentation includes food

Dave Anderson, founder of the popular barbecue franchise Famous Dave’s of America, will speak at Saint Mary’s on Monday, April 27.

The event, hosted by the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, is free and open to the public. Anderson’s presentation, “Me, Inc. — The Spirit of Entrepreneurship,” will run from 6 to 7 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Famous Dave’s of La Crosse is donating samples and appetizers in honor of the event. Food will be served on a first-come, first-served basis after the presentation outside of the Performance Center. Freewill offerings will be accepted to benefit the Kabara Institute.

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Anderson shares his heartfelt optimism using his life’s story to share insight and life lessons in dealing with today’s fast-changing world. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the American dream and stresses that no matter how tough things may seem today, if you never give up your dream and work hard, tomorrow’s rewards will always come.

Anderson will be available following the presentation to sign his books, “LifeSkills for Success” and “Backroads and Sidestreets Cookbook” in the Performance Center lobby. Copies of the books will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to the Lifeskills Center for Leadership in Minneapolis.

Annual SMU benefit dance raises $17,000 for Geherens

Approximately 650 people danced to the Johnny Holm Band during this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance March 28 at Saint Mary’s University.


Money raised at this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance will help SMU alumni Bill and Mia Geheren of Huntley, Ill., purchase a handicapped accessible van for their family. The Geheren family includes, from right, Bill, Tommy, Charlie, Michael and Danny; Mia is not pictured. Nikki and Taylor Richmond (the benefit’s namesake), at left, joined the activities.

About 650 people attended the ninth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance on March 28.

Proceeds from the dance — and silent auction — raised approximately $17,000 for this year’s beneficiaries, Bill and Mia Geheren of Huntley, Ill., and their four children. Their three adopted children were born addicted to cocaine; one child is addicted to heroin and meth as well. Money from the benefit dance and silent auction will help the family purchase a handicapped accessible van.

Donations are still being accepted. To help, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Katie LaPlant, Box 1471. To see photos of the event, go to www.geheren.com.

Iron Chef competition planned as part of BUGSS month

An Iron Chef competition is planned for Sunday, April 19, to raise money for the Bethlehem University Gaza Student Scholarships (BUGSS). Faculty, students and staff are asked to gather into teams of four and sign up. Registration ends today.

Three highly qualified judges, Brother Stephen Rusyn, Dr. Gary Diomandes and Joe Piscitiello, are lined up.

Teams will create one main dish and dessert enough for 10 people. The main dish must include the secret ingredient announced two days before the competition. Team fans will enjoy the creations and watch the competition for an entrance fee that will benefit the scholarship. Tickets will be on sale the week after break ($5 for faculty/staff and $3 for students). Your ticket will let you sample the various entries and enjoy a falafel sandwich, hummus, and tabouleh, prepared by Brother Tom Houde, John Schollmeier, and Dr. Dorothy Diehl.

Sign up in the game room or contact Amira Sadek, student coordinator, at amsade06@smumn.edu with questions.

Choirs concert features world premiere by William Neil

The Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, and Women’s Choir, under the direction of Lindsy O’Shea, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, Saint Teresa campus.

The performance will include a world premiere performance of Oratoria for choir, soloists, brass, percussion and the church bells of Winona, by William Neil.

The work features the Chamber Singers, percussion and a brass quintet coached by Eric Heukeshoven. Also involved with be Music Technology faculty member Brett Huus, assisting with electronically sampled sounds used in the work.

The evening will also include a special performance of O’Shea’s “Due Sonetti di Petrarca” and Jake Runestad’s “I will Life Mine Eyes,” as well as works by Pablo Casals and spirituals.

Neil is a 2008 McKnight Visiting Composer. For more information, go to http://duisigh.thecomposerstudio.com.

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

Brother William, Mary Fox present at Lasallian Institute

Brother President William Mann and Mary Catherine Fox, Ph.D., professor of interdisciplinary studies were invited to present the Capstone experience of the Lasallian Leadership Institute (LLI) for the United States Toronto Region of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The Capstone weekend culminates three years of Lasallian study for each cohort.

Over the last month, Brother William and Dr. Fox presented to the Midwest District LLI cohort March 12-14 in Illinois, the Long Island -New England, New York and Baltimore District cohort March 19-21 in Pennsylvania, and the California, New Orleans-Santa Fe District cohort March 26-28 in California.

The focus of Brother William’s and Dr. Fox’s joint presentation utilized metaphor as a tool for both reflecting upon our lived reality and creating new structures for our collective future — our Lasallian home — “together and by association.”

Nearly 200 participants attended the Capstone weekend experiences. Attendees represented diverse Lasallian ministries including university, middle and secondary schools and social service agencies. Brother Visitors from the districts, councilors from the international Institute and secretaries of international Lasallian commissions joined district cohorts in the Capstone weekend experience.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. (including Eric Heukeshoven) will perform 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Jefferson Pub & Grill.

SMU in the news

Here are recent mentions of SMU “making the news” — in the Winona area and beyond.

• The Winona Daily News ran an article titled, “Children First: SMU grads who adopted three kids with special needs focus of benefit” about this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit recipients in its March 27 edition.

• Winona Police Chief Frank Pomeroy mentioned his experience as a student of Saint Mary’s in his retirement column in the March 31 edition of the Winona Daily News.

Beekeeping is the next topic in Knowledge Acknowledged

Chris Kendall, Gary LeMasters and Wes Miller will share their passion for bees at the next Knowledge Acknowledged presentation from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the McEnery Center. Light refreshments will be served. Get the buzz on the honey bee and hear tales of beekeeping and honey harvesting.

Hendrickson Institute hosts John Howard April 21

The Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership will host the 2009 Forum on Leadership on Tuesday, April 21. John Howard, former prime minister of Australia, will speak about “Leadership in a Global Economy,” and the Hendrickson Institute Medal for Ethical Leadership will be awarded to Charles M. Denny.

As the prime minister of Australia from March 1996 until December 2007, the Honorable John Winston Howard served a distinctively Western role in the Asian-Pacific Rim. Howard approached his responsibilities from a global viewpoint, providing economic vision and security strategies that raised Australia’s profile and impact around the world as well as improving economic stability at home.

Howard will discuss the role of world leaders in a new century, addressing the growing concerns of globalization and global economics, the environment, and threats to international security. He will explain in what ways, and to what degrees, China, India and the Pacific Rim may participate. Finally, he will respond to questions submitted by Forum participants.

Denny will be honored for his years of ethical leadership as chairman and CEO of ADC Telecommunications Inc; his commitment to equity and justice (for example, by providing jobs through Project for Pride in Living Industries); and his decades of volunteer work in the nonprofit sector. He is also recognized for his legacy of written ethical guidelines for corporations, from the Minnesota Principles to his research and writing as a recipient of the Louis W. Hill Jr. Fellowship.

Registration begins at 3 p.m., the forum runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m., and a reception will follow at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., in Minneapolis.

Tickets are $50 for the public, with a special student rate of $10, and a faculty and alumni rate of $40. For more information, contact Barb Hall at bhall@smumn.edu or (612) 238-4517. More details can be found online at hendricksonforum.smumn.edu.

SMU invited to Polish-American Art Show and Lecture

The Polish Art Museum (at 102 Liberty St.) will celebrate its annual “Dyngus Day” on Monday, April 13. Dyngus Day is a celebration of Easter Monday. The celebration is based on traditions of baptism and the suffering of Jesus during the Easter season. A Polish-American art exhibit, displaying past and present paintings of local Minnesota artists of Polish descent, will be a major part of the festivities. The exhibit will be open between 4 and 9 p.m.

Additionally, Dr. Tomas Tolvaisas, an assistant professor in the Department of History at WSU, will lecture on the numerous intersections and mutual influences of American and Polish modern art during the 1960s. His presentation and a question-and-answer session will take place in the museum theater between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The exhibit will continue through Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, go to www.lacrossetribune.com/brochures/polishmuseum/polishci.htm or call the Polish Museum, 454-3431.

Windley-Daoust presents paper at academic religion conference

Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust, assistant professor of theology, presented a paper titled “Natural Childbirth as Phenomenological Icon in an Iconoclastic Medical Culture” at the Upper Midwest American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature conference in St. Paul, Minn., on March 27.

Spartz, Bearbower present iT poster session

Jason Spartz and Sarah Bearbower, iT, presented a poster session at the Educause Midwest Regional Conference in Chicago on March 21. The topic was titled “Tracking Transformative Change with Classroom Capture at a Liberal Arts Institution.” The presentation content was co-created with Dr. Chad Kjorlien.

The presentation was well-received by many. Gib Smart from Tegrity relayed comments from Dr. Kelly Wilkinson (director, Center for Instruction, Research, and Technology at Indiana State University) saying “she was raving about you guys, was very impressed…” while Bryon Glock, (IT director at Western Michigan University) said “Saint Mary’s has had some great presentations the past two years. Keep it up!”

Tadie presents paper at philosophy conference

Dr. Joseph Tadie, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy, is presenting at a philosophy conference titled, “TEMPERANCE — A conference on the Cardinal Virtues,” sponsored by the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University on April 2-4.

He will present his paper, “Hovering Between Humilities: Aquinas Face to Face with Aristotle and Augustine,” from 11:15 to 12:30 p.m. today, Friday, April 3, in Session III in RC 107 at Viterbo.

Marpe presents at marketing management conference

Dr. Thomas Marpe, dean of the School of Business, presented a paper titled “Catholic Parishioner Satisfaction and Religious Giving” at the (MMA) Marketing Management Association Conference March 20 in Chicago. This paper is part of a larger study that looks at the types of parishioner satisfaction and its impact on financial contributions to parishes. The MMA conference was part of the larger MBAA International conference that was attended by professor Teresa Speck, professor Jeffrey Hefel, assistant professor Benjamin Huegel, and assistant professor Chandu Valluri.

Student Senate election results announced

The following students were elected to Student Senate Executive Board positions for 2009-2010:

President: Mary Gleich
VP - International Affairs: Scott (Zhe) Song
VP - Financial Affairs: Travis Fick
VP - Academic Affairs: Karina Rajtar
VP - Media Communication: Alex Bilski
VP - Campus Life: Brenda Welscher
VP - Social Affairs: Molly Jewison
VP - Student Life: Brandon Wanless
VP - External Affairs: Marie Allen/Ali Kremer
Executive Assistant: Gabbi Langan

Brey and Dahlstrom winners of Kabara business plan

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s business plan competition, D.J. Brey and David Dahlstrom. Their plan, “Sugar Loaf Scouting Combine,” earned them the $1,000 prize for first place in the competition.

Brey is a junior sport management major from St. James, Minn., and Dahlstrom is a junior accounting and human resources management major from Rochester, Minn.

The Kabara Institute aims to incite a passion for entrepreneurial spirit in students across the university, regardless of their major field of study, to enhance the entrepreneurship program offerings at Saint Mary’s by providing opportunities for students to interact with entrepreneurs and experience entrepreneurship first-hand, and to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in our society.

The Kabara Institute has sponsored a series of guest speakers and company tours during this academic year. Look for more events, including another competition, during the 2009 – 2010 academic year.

Service Recognition Reception planned for April 23

The Service Recognition Awards and Reception will be 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the Common Room. Awards will be presented to those celebrating anniversary years, as well as this year’s retirees, Sandra Beth, Dr. Jeffrey Highland, Robert (B.J.) Jonsgaard, Dr. Larry Luttmers, Jerrie Seibert and Dr. James Vogel.

SMU student is honoree in Dubuque arthritis walk

SMU student Danielle Scholbrock is the 2009 honoree for the Dubuque, Iowa, Arthritis Walk, to be held May 16 in Murphy Park. To read Scholbrock’s story or learn more about donating to this cause, go to: http://dubuquearthritiswalk.kintera.org.

Students sleep outside to raise awareness of homeless

Saint Mary’s students slept outside in cardboard boxes Thursday, April 2, during the annual “shak-a-thon,” part of Habitat for Humanity’s Act!Speak!Build! Week. A week of activities raised awareness about the millions of people who do not have adequate shelter to sleep.

No ‘Campus Notes’ next week

This is a reminder that, because of Easter break, there will be no ‘Campus Notes’ next week. Look ahead on your calendars. The next edition will be Friday, April 17. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, April 15.

Sympathy to Watters family

Bishop Loras Watters died Monday, March 30. Bishop Watters, 93, was installed as the 5th Bishop of the Winona Diocese in 1969, where he remained until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure, Bishop Watters served on the SMU Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1980, and was subsequently named a trustee emeritus. Watters Hall on SMU’s Winona campus is named in his honor.

Bishop Watters’ Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon today, Friday, April 3, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

Daily Mass on Friday, April 3, in the Saint Thomas More Chapel will be canceled in lieu of Bishop Watters’ funeral.