Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies are May 9

On Saturday, May 9, the Winona campus will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

Undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium; approximately 220 students will participate in the commencement ceremony. Student perspectives will be offered by this year's Outstanding Male and Female Seniors, Jakub Szymanski and Emily Berg.

The Winona campus School of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Approximately 425 students in the graduate and professional programs administered from Winona will participate in the commencement ceremony. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Jeff Ayer, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, and Gina Eisler, Philanthropy and Development.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse. Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in the gymnasium at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary's Nairobi campus will also host its commencement ceremony on May 2. The Twin Cities campus will conduct its commencement ceremonies on June 7.

Ropes course opens June 1

The new Saint Mary’s Challenge Ropes Course is now complete. The public is invited to use the course for personal and team development, beginning June 1. Reservations may be made in May.
The course includes low challenge elements that are 2 to 3 feet above the ground, and high challenge elements that are 25 to 40 feet above the ground. The low elements challenge course includes seven elements and assorted games and initiatives. The high elements course is comprised of nine elements, including a zip line. The tower includes a climbing wall with multiple routes for varying skill levels.

All booking requests must be made no less than two weeks in advance to Davey Warner, Ext. 8740 or e-mail outdoorleadership@smumn.edu.

More information about the cost to use the course can be found at www.smumn.edu/challenge. Costs are based upon number of hours on the course, number of participants, and type of group (university, non-profit or corporate).

Dance Repertory Company to present annual spring concert

The 2008-09 performance season at Saint Mary’s University concludes with the Dance Repertory Company’s annual spring concert, “Time To Move,” Friday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 16, at 3 p.m. at Page Theatre.

For more than three decades, the Dance Repertory Company has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works. This year the DRC presents a concert featuring classical ballet and contemporary dance in the jazz and modern genres.

The concert will open with the “Kingdom of the Shades,” Act III of Marius Petipa's La Bayadère, one of ballet’s most resonant visions. Seeking his dead beloved, Nikiya, in an opium dream, the faithless, guilt-ridden Solor conjures up a seemingly endless procession of ghostly women — hallucinatory replicas of her. One by one, to Ludwig Minkus’s sweet, repetitive melody, they feed into a four-count phrase — snaking around the stage until they can assemble to display, in perfect unison, their long, slow balances. Framing the stage in two lines, pressed tutu to tutu, the women echo the steps of the soloists as if stirred by some collective unconscious peculiar to ballerinas. Artistic Director Tammy Schmidt has staged La Bayadère for the DRC.

The Concert will also feature two contemporary premieres. “In the Yard,” a new work created by choreographer Jeffrey Peterson, evokes images of family and community while combining contemporary movement with folk dance and contemporary partnering.

“Side of the Road,” an original collection of repertory by Jennifer TeBeest, is set to the soulful sounds of B.B. King, Etta James and Jonny Lang in a piece about occurrences and circumstances. More than a narrative, this work is about that pent up energy and fervor that can be released through dance; and although words can be powerful, movement is trump.

Performed by the dancers who currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and Saint Mary’s University, “Time to Move” will showcase their effervescent spirit, vibrant energy, and technical and artistic abilities that continue to inspire audiences year after year.

The Dance Repertory Company is the youth performing troupe of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. The Page Theatre will admit children ages 5 and older to the May 15 performance. The May 16 performance is considered a family event, and children ages 2 and older are admitted. At this time the Page Theatre/SMU Performance Center facilities and programs are not equipped to serve the needs of infants. Tickets are available at the Box Office, Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.

Laws of Life essay contest winners awarded April 22

Each year students at Winona schools submit essays that reflect on the values, ideals and principles that mean the most to them in the annual Laws of Life essay contest, organized by Saint Mary’s and sponsored by Winona-area businesses and organizations.

Winners of individual categories — announced April 22 — receive cash and or varying-level renewable scholarships to Saint Mary's.

The Laws of Life Essay Contest was founded in 1987 by Sir John Templeton of the John Templeton Foundation. This foundation is committed to advancing a broad spectrum of activities, including studies, award programs and publications that promote the character development of young people in secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

In 1996, William Schuler approached Saint Mary's University to begin this contest at Winona Senior High and Cotter High School. This event is made possible with his help, and the help of many other generous supporters — including Merchants Bank, William and Barbara Schuler, Junto Club, American Legion Post No. 9, Dr. Thomas and Leone Mauszycki, Dr. Roger and Peggy Zehren, Fred Fletcher and Shelly Smith-Fletcher, Zehren Dental (Dr. Peter and Kimberly Zehren), Neil and Ann Sawyer, the Winona Area Retired Educators Association and Fred and Marilyn Foss.

This year's Laws of Life essay contest winners, their schools and their awards are:
• Platinum — Katie Harbinson, Cotter High School ($1,000 cash and a $3,000 scholarship).
• Gold — Da Som Ahn, Cotter ($400 cash and a $2,000 scholarship)
• Silver — Ji Won Lee, Cotter; Ethan Kastello, Winona Senior High School; and Shaina Laska, Hope Lutheran High School ($200 cash and a $1,000 scholarship).
• Blue ribbon awards — Ryan Residence and Stefani Schmidt, WSHS; Sarah Degallier and Anna Rose Beilfuss, Hope Lutheran; and Richard Han, Ye Jin Kang, Sean O’Reilly and Michaela Zeller, Cotter ($100 cash prize).
• English class awards — Mackenzie Brosnahan, Taehwan Kim, Yi Chen and Jeff Severson, Cotter; and Lacey Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran ($50 savings bond from Merchants National Bank).

Student Life Awards presented

Saint Mary’s recognized outstanding students Thursday, April 23, at the Student Life Awards Ceremony. Several awards were handed out to students 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) — Peggy Walters, Student Development administrative assistant.

Charlene “Char” Tjaden Outstanding Resident Assistant Award — Zhe Song

Club and Organization Advisor of the Year — Scott Sorvaag, SMU Education Department, for his work with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Club.

Organization of the Year — Laura Holupchinski, Mary Gleich and Andrew Rath, on behalf of the Peace and Justice Club.

Intramural Most Valuable Player — Kevin Halpin

Volunteer of the Year Award — Derek Wherley

Outstanding Student Senator of the Year Award — Brandon Wanless

Winona Community Service Award — Anjy Buck

Brother James Miller Award (presented to a student who has dedicated his/her college experience to promoting the legacy of Brother James Miller, spreading the compassion of God and continually serving the community) — Ryan Langr

Student Service Award — Gary Borash.

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, “A leap of faith” about SMU students tutoring at the Red Wing Correctional Facility on April 26.

• The Winona Daily News ran two articles about our students’ cleanup work, “Up a creek (with a trash bag) on April 25, and “Annual Spruce Up Winona Day draws student volunteers.” About 140 volunteers from SMU helped with this year’s Spruce Up event.

•The spring issue of Twin Cities Business is out, and the Saint Mary’s MBA is in two articles, “The Masters of Business” and “Making the Cut: What does it take to get into an MBA program.”

Employee changes

Leaving:
• Sandra Beth, May 31, director of Fitzgerald Library
• Martin Bourbeau, April 15, Twin Cities security guard
• Gerald Briggs, May 31, Twin Cities program director, B.S. in Indus. Tech.
• Michelle Cochran, May 31, associate director K-12 Reading Lic. Program
• Robert Connor, May 13, associate dean for London and Florence
• Jane Cowgill, May 13, assistant professor of English
• Michael Donahou, May 13, assistant professor of theology
• Karen Fischer, May 31, Twin Cities director, Wisconsin education
• Nicholas Hall, May 31, assistant women’s basketball coach
• Dr. Jeffrey Highland, May 31, provost and vice president of the College
• Nykol Johnson, April 22, reference librarian
• Diana Kirby, May 13, assistant professor of theology
• Dr. Larry Luttmers, May 13, professor of psychology
• Christopher Stromberg, May 13, instructor, math and statistics
• Dr. Jim Vogel, May 13, professor, chemistry

Senior Academic Awards given out April 22

Saint Mary’s recognized outstanding senior students Wednesday, April 22, 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) — Bethany Kaufmann and Emily Mason

American Chemical Society Award (chemistry award) — James Mazzuca

Wall Street Journal Award/Business Student of the Year (business award) — Jakub Szymanski

Kevin Martineau Award (business award) — Amanda Wiste

Outstanding Accounting Major (business award) — Radoslaw Tomczak

Outstanding International Business Major (business award) — Leah Hoglin

Outstanding Management Major (business award) — Amanda Wiste

Outstanding Marketing Major (business award) — Holly Roffler

Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Philosophy (philosophy award) — Thomas Otto

Grove Bree Holman Award (theatre arts award) — Anthony Freeman

Michael G. Flanagan Award (theatre arts award) — John Montecalvo

Brother Leo Northam Award (mathematics award) — Angela Buck and Kristi Recke

Distinction in Studies/Academic work (social sciences award) — Sarah Windschitl

Distinction in Studies/Academic Work-Social Activism (social sciences award) — Laura Holupchinski

Future Alumni Committee Scholarship — Sarah St. Laurent

Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Awards — Neil Leibundguth and Sarah Mueller

Students receive math awards

The Math Department honored the following students for their participation in the department.

For the North Central Section of the Mathematical Association of America Team Contest (Students have three hours to work on 10 problems in teams of three.): Justyna Kujtkowska, Megan Jantscher, Jakub Szymanski, James Mazzuca, Katherine Schultz, Yer Thao, Bin Hu, Changyu Yang and Ye Zhang.

Brother Louis De Lasalle Award for outstanding performance in Freshman Calculus: Sara Harstad

And, in its inaugural year, the Lou Guillou Award for outstanding service to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics: Yer Thao

Inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon: Bin Hu, Megan Jantscher, Agnieszka Kadej, Sarah Murphy, Katherine Schultz, Jakub Szymanski, Changyu Yang

Biology students present research

Five biology students presented their research at the NC-3 Beta Beta Beta district meeting that was hosted by the Gamma Eta Chapter at Grand View University on April 17-18, in conjunction with the Iowa Academy of Science held at Des Moines University, located in Des Moines, Iowa.

The students, their project and their research advisors are:

• Maria Borgerson, “Determination of Genetic Relationship Between Female Phellodendron chinese in Saint Mary’s Park and Offspring Phellodendron Chinese Found Nearby” — Dr. Debra Martin.
• Nicole Haese, ”The Effects of the Dietary Supplement Laucidin on Blood Glucose Levels of Diabetic Mice” — Dr. Jeanne Minnerath.
• Ben Linder, “Analyzing the M3 Repeat Region of the Induced Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Gene in Homo Sapiens with Exercised Induced Asthma” — Dr. Deb Martin.
• Melanie Tyler, “Assaying of Lysozyme Inhibitor from Egg-Whites” — Dr. Martin.
• Lori Brunner, “The Mode and Extent of DNA Replication During Endomitosis in Nodules of Leguminous Plants,” Dr. Richard Kowles.

Haese was award first place for the Frank G. Brook Award and Tyler was awarded third place. Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta district director.

Ice cream dates announced

Let’s Do Ice Cream fundraisers will be June 4, July 16 and Aug. 13.

Benefactor recognition dinner draws 90

On Saturday, April 25, the university hosted a Benefactor Recognition event, honoring those who contribute to Saint Mary's through named scholarships, the Leadership Giving program, and the Lasallian Legacy Society. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the generosity shown to Saint Mary's and provide an opportunity for benefactors and students to interact. Nearly 90 guests were in attendance.

Saint Mary’s announces next Page Series season

Danú

Buckets and Tap Shoes

WINONA, Minn. — The 23rd season of the Saint Mary’s University Page Series is once again filled with music, dance, theatre, and family-friendly offerings from around the world! You don’t have to travel far for world-class performances. Season subscriptions go on sale May 18 through July 31 and Aug. 17 through Sept. 18.

Purchase tickets to three or more events to receive these benefits:
• New subscribers: 10 percent off total order
• Returning ’08-’09 subscribers: 25 percent off total order
• Everyone: exchange privileges and guaranteed seating choices

Pre-show Dinners
Select shows have pre-show dinners available. Make your evening an event; enjoy a pre-show dinner — catered by Chartwells — in SMU’s Toner Student Center. Dinners can be purchased when buying your tickets and cost $22 for adults and $14 for children.

The 2009-2010 Page Series

• Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.
Buckets and Tap Shoes
Adults $12, Seniors and Students $5
Virtuoso percussion and extraordinary tapping by this world-travelled group

• Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company
Adults $27, Seniors and Students $25. Student Rush $10
An 80-member traditional folk troupe that leaps, flies, but never stops

• Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m.
In The Heart of The Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre: Beneath The Surface
Adults $12, Seniors and Students $5
A circus of wonderment about our relationship to water

• Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Five By Design: Club Swing
Adults $25, Seniors and Students $20, Student Rush $10
Pre-show dinner available
Where the music’s hot, the drinks are cool, and the legend lives forever

• Jan. 15, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Underground Railroad Theatre: Are You Ready My Sister
Adults $12, Seniors and Students $5
The story of how Harriet Tubman helped free 300 slaves

• Jan. 26, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Moscow Festival Ballet: Giselle
Adults $27, Seniors and Students $25, Student Rush $10
Preshow dinner available
A classic story told by one of the world’s greatest dance companies

• Feb. 9, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Théâtre Sans Fil: The Hobbit
Adults $12, Seniors and Students $5
The JRR Tolkien tale of Bilbo Baggins told with large-scale puppets and wonder filled sets

• Feb. 24, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
The Wailin’ Jennys
Adults $25, Seniors and Students $20, Student Rush $10
Sweet harmonies and original music

• March 10, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Danú
Adults $25, Seniors and Students $20, Student Rush $10
Pre-show Irish-style dinner available
Award-winning traditional Irish music from County Waterford

• March 13-14, 2010, 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., Figiulo Recital Hall
Ned Kirk
Adults $22, Seniors and Students $18, Student Rush $10
Pianist interprets Beethoven and others

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Call or visit the Performance Center Box Office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday. Summer office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning May 11. Or go online to www.pagetheatre.org.

Lighting design concert is today

Everyone is invited to a lighting design song concert from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today, Friday, May 1, in Page Theatre. The event is free. The TA275 Lighting design class will present a song concert for their final class projects. Six designers have designed and programmed lights for two songs apiece. Several dancers will also be doing improvisational dance for the concert.

Saint Mary’s presents at the Higher Learning Commission

Five members of the university community presented at this year’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC) annual meeting, held April 18-21 in Chicago. More than 3,000 administrators, faculty and staff from member institutions across the 19 states that the HLC serves attended the meeting.

Linka Holey, associate vice president and academic dean of the SGPP, Elizabeth Childs, associate dean of curriculum and assessment of the SGPP, and Jeff Highland, provost, presented on the model currently used in the SGPP for advancing program vitality following program review. Highland, Tracy Lehnertz, director of institutional effectiveness, and Kara Wener, institutional researcher, presented two sessions in the self-study portion of the meeting; the topic was utilizing a self-study website to engage university constituents in the self-study process. Both groups were well-received by those in attendance.

Girl Scouts recognize Seebach’s work

The Riverland Council Girl Scouts named Beth Seebach, Psychology Department, as the Outstanding Leader in Riverland Council. Girl Scouts of Riverland Council serves 10 counties in southwestern Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa, serving over 3,000 participants in Girl Scout programs in 75 rural and urban communities.

Myers to serve as reader in Alaska event

Judy Myers, MFA, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as artistic director for Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre 2007 and 2008, has been invited to participate as a reader in the Play Lab at the 2009 Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska.

Myers will read roles in two to six plays from more than 50 works chosen to be read at the conference from June 13-20. Each play has one rehearsal in Valdez the day before the reading, directed by the playwright. After each reading, a panel of three respondents (featured international theatre artists, professionals, and educators), will give critical feedback to each playwright following the development format created at the Circle Repertory Theatre Company in New York with the intent of opening the writers up to new ways of understanding their plays. Audiences will also provide feedback.

“I will teach playwriting again this fall and I want to continue to participate in the development of new works at the national level, something I haven’t done in a long time,” she said. “To be able to bring that experience back to my students is invaluable.”

This is last ‘Campus Notes’

This is the last edition of “Campus Notes” for the semester. Remember that the Communication and Marketing Office can continue to help you promote activities both externally and internally throughout the summer.

Tristano to participate in International Congress session

Richard Tristano, professor of history, will participate in a session of the International Congress on Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University, on “Historical Writing as Literary Writing: Reconsidering the Relationship between Form, Truth Claims, and Convention in Medieval Historia.” The paper is titled “Interlaced History: Matteo Maria Boiardo, Poet and Historian.”

Hollnagel, Radtke to present at annual ACT Conference

Aubrey Hollnagel, Admission Office visit coordinator and Megan Radke, admission counselor, are presenting at the annual ACT Conference in Chicago July 15-17. This conference is geared toward admission representatives and high school counselors. They are part of the “pre-conference sessions” and will speak to other colleges about Saint Mary's Admission Ambassador Program and how current SMU students are used to recruit prospective students. They will present along with Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio; Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky; and Northeastern University, Boston, Mass.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. is celebrating its 10th anniversary today, Friday, May 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Jefferson Pub & Grill.

Spring dinner is May 7

The annual end-of-the-year dinner is Thursday, May 7. The event begins 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. in the dining room.

SMU to host Trinona Kids Triathlon

The Trinona Kids Triathlon is a swim/bike/run triathlon for kids ages 5 through 13, hosted by Saint Mary’s June 13. Each triathlete will swim in the SMU pool, bicycle on campus, and finish the competition on the outdoor track. No experience is necessary. This is a low-key, fun, athletic competition.

Snacks and giveaways will be provided after the race. Participants need to bring swimsuits, goggles, towels, bikes, helmets, running shoes and any other items needed for the race.

Youth ages 5 to 7 swim 25 yards, bike 1 mile and run a quarter mile; ages 8 to 10 swim 75 yards, bike 1 mile and run a half mile; and ages 11 to 13 swim 175 yards, bike 2 miles and run three quarters of a mile.

The cost is $30. Register online at www.active.com.

Congratulations to Heacox family

Chet (Information Technology) and Megan Heacox had a baby girl, Delilah Rose, on April 28. The SMU community extends its congratulations to the Heacox family.

Sympathy to Wheeler, Kronebusch families

John W. Wheeler Jr., brother of Sue Miner (M.Ed. Program Office) died Friday, April 24. A note of condolence can be sent to Sue Miner,
Campus Box 76.

Ted Monson, Cindy Kronebusch’s (PDI Program secretary) step-father and grandfather to Kayla (Kronebusch) Beyer ‘05, died Friday, April 24. A note of condolence can be sent to Cindy Kronebusch at Campus Box 74.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Wheeler and Kronebusch families