SMU forming Habitat Women Build team

Hey Ladies, it’s time to start raising the roof! Saint Mary’s University is one of 16 teams helping to build Winona County’s first Habitat for Humanity Women Build home.

Nationally, more than 1,500 Habitat homes have been built by crews of women. This next year, Winona County’s 41st Habitat Home will be added to this list. It’s important to note that Women Build is not about excluding men (who will help in many supportive roles); it’s about including women.

Terri Lieder and Deb Nahrgang from the Office of Communication and Marketing invite any faculty, staff or students who are interested in learning more about the project, to attend an upcoming kickoff event on Thursday, Jan. 21.

The kickoff will run from 5 to 7 p.m., and participants are invited to drop in anytime to the Winona Knitting Mills Building, 909 E. 2nd St. Informal presentations about the Women Build are scheduled for 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served, and Women Build merchandise and information will be available. Habitat will also be hosting some fun hands-on learning titled, “Home Building 101.”

If you’re already on the team, come meet the others who will be involved in the build. If you’re not yet on our team, come and find out how you can join.

Come hear more about how you can make home ownership possible for a family in Winona — and about how women can really make a difference. Additional information can be found at www.habitatwinona.org.

Mear’s work highlighted at faculty art show

Sister Margaret Mear

Seven Saint Mary’s faculty members from the Department of Art and Design will display a variety of artwork through Sunday, Feb. 14, in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The show, “Seven Point Perspective,” will include a retrospective of retiring faculty member Sister Margaret Mear’s work. Sister Margaret will be honored for her tireless contributions to the university for the past 33 years. Also displaying works are Brother Roderick Robertson, Preston Lawing, Rob McCall, John Whelan, Charlie Campbell and Kathy Greden Christenson.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the exhibit is free and open to the public.

SMU Page Series event to highlight Harriet Tubman

Shadow puppets and illuminated scenery will bring the story of Harriet Tubman to life in the next Page Series performance Friday, Jan. 15. The Underground Railroad Theatre will present, “Are You Ready my Sister?” at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

This historical adventure story of Harriet Tubman, the “great conductor” of the Underground Railroad and the Quaker women who helped her bring 300 slaves to freedom, features live music based on spirituals of the time, dramatic scenes and audience participation. The set, a giant patchwork quilt, unfolds the story; each square of the quilt is brought to life with shadow puppets and illuminated scenery.

Harriet Tubman was born a slave but later became a fugitive from slavery, fleeing from southern states where slavery was practiced to northern states where it was not. She then became a “conductor” on the so-called Underground Railroad, returning to the South to bring other fugitives out of slavery.

For over 25 years, Underground Railroad Theatre’s artistry has delighted audiences, young and old, through the combination of acting, puppetry and music that explores community concerns. The company is committed to presenting theater that provokes discussion, builds bridges between people and reflects cultural diversity.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

In conjunction with this event, the Winona County Historical Society will present an exhibit titled “Fight for Freedom,” which will explore Winona County’s link to the struggle to end slavery. The exhibit will feature Company K (the men of this region who fought with the 1st Minnesota during the Civil War), Fredrick Douglass’ visit, and case studies of successful African Americans who found new lives in Winona County. This exhibit, free and open to the public, will be on display in the lobby of the Performance Center from Jan. 11 through Feb. 12.

SMU to host Moscow Festival Ballet Jan. 26

The Moscow Festival Ballet will present “Giselle” — a story of love, betrayal, madness, revenge and forgiveness — at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Page Theatre.

The Moscow Festival Ballet, under the direction of former Bolshoi principal dancer Sergei Radchenko, has amassed a loyal following across the United States for its technically precise and respectful interpretations of grand ballet in the admired Russian tradition.

“Giselle” is the story of a pure and innocent peasant girl who is jilted by a rich nobleman. Driven insane by the ending of their relationship, she dies and enters the graveyard world of ghosts of vengeful brides betrayed by undeserving suitors. The role of Giselle is one of the most sought-after in all of ballet, as it requires technical perfection, dazzling grace, lyricism and great dramatic skill.

The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when Radchenko sought to bring together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent new company within the framework of Russian classic ballet.

Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Make it dinner and a show! Pre-show dinners, provided by Chartwells Catering, will be available, beginning at 6 p.m. in the President’s Room. Orders will be accepted up to one week prior to each event. Reservations can be made online or through the box office. Adult dinners are $22 and include chicken, beef and vegetarian options. Children’s dinners are $14.

SMU donates $1,400 to Food Shelf

Saint Mary’s University donated $1,400 to Winona Volunteer Services to be used for the Food Shelf. The money was raised through campuswide fundraisers including potlucks and “Jeans for a Cause” Fridays. Presenting the check to Sandra Burke, center right, executive director for Winona Volunteer Services, are SMU Volunteer Committee members, from left: Cindy Marek, Coral Henthorne and Laurie Haase.

‘Pebble of Truth’ to be discussed Jan. 14

The public is invited to a presentation titled “Paul Muldoon’s Pebble of Truth — by Dr. Christian Michener of the Department of English — on Thursday, Jan. 14. The event, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the President’s room, will include a discussion about Muldoon’s poetic response to Irish terrorism.

Muldoon is a contemporary poet from Northern Ireland who has won numerous awards for his poetry. Muldoon won the Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for his collection of poems titled “Moy, Sand and Gravel.”

Refreshments will be provided. This event is sponsored by the International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta.

For more information, contact Dr. Carolyn Ayers at Ext. 1523 or cayers@smumn.edu.

Griffins named recipients of Taylor Richmond benefit

Crystal Griffin, maintenance, and her family have been chosen as the recipients of the 10th annual Taylor Richmond benefit and dance. This year’s dance is scheduled for March 20.

Film to be shown at SMU for Frozen River Film Festival

As part of the Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF), Saint Mary’s Philosophy and FRFF clubs will be showing a film called “The Age of Stupid.” This film focuses on climate change, war, consumption and other world issues.

The event will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Following the film, a panel discussion will be held.

FRFF is an annual documentary film festival in Winona offering “programs that engage, educate and activate viewers to become involved in the world.” The focus of the 2010 festival (Jan. 27-31) is food and everything that has to do with it.

For more information about the festival, visit the website at www.frff.org. A host of films, events, and issues are scheduled. Student admission to the festival events is free. Also, the FRFF club will provide transportation to the various festival destinations.

Dance Repertory Company auditions are Jan. 9

The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct auditions for the Dance Repertory Company’s annual spring concert at noon Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

The company is seeking intermediate and advanced dancers with modern, jazz, tap, ballet or pointe training. Roles are available for male and female dancers, ages 13 and older (and for younger students by invitation only).

Interested candidates are asked to bring a photo of themselves, planning calendars, and proper shoes/attire to the audition.

The DRC will be presenting its annual spring concert, featuring The Goodman Suite, on April 22-24 at Saint Mary’s Page Theatre. The Goodman Suite, debuted by the DRC in the spring of 2000, features works to the swingin’ music of Benny Goodman.

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

For more information about the Dance Repertory Company, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, or call Ext. 5500.

Next Brown Bag it @ the Fitz to be held today

The next Brown Bag it @ the Fitz topic is “Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Q & A.” Wondering how to obtain books, journal articles, DVDs, etc. from libraries around the United States? Join us for an ILL Question-and-Answer session. Learn about the online forms, the new Find It tab in World Cat and more. The event will be held 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. today, Friday, Jan. 8. Grab your lunch and come to the McEnery Center Main Lounge. Drinks and desserts will be provided.

IT Department hosts EDUCAUSE Conference

At the beginning of November, the Information Technology Department hosted a viewing room for the 2009 EDUCAUSE Conference - Online Edition.

This year’s conference was the first in which Educause offered the online option. In an effort to keep abreast of what is going on in the industry, and with emphasis placed on stretching the university dollar, Information Technology registered for the event and invited members of the Winona campus to participate.

Twelve members of the university participated in a combination of 15 sessions offered over the three-day period.

We are aware of a number of university members who were interested in attending the session but could not, due to prior commitments. As a follow up for those still interested in reviewing the content or possibly seeing it for the first time, conference materials (including presentation recordings) can be viewed at www.educause.edu/Resources/Browse/EDUCAUSE09/35198#tabs--2.

Each session has a “Resources and Video” tab through which participants can view or listen to the conference proceedings.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the online conference.

Students deliver gifts for children at Winona Health

A group of first-year students from the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women delivered Christmas gifts for children at Winona Health through the Winona Health Foundation. The students are in Dr. Janet Heukeshoven’s First Year Seminar.

The gifts will be distributed to children receiving care in Winona Health Emergency Department, Urgent Care Clinic and in the hospital's Pediatrics Unit.

History Book Prize winners announced

Since 1995, the Department of History has awarded book prizes to recognize students for outstanding work in history courses. The following students were chosen for their work during fall semester, 2009:

• Peter McColl won the book prize for H125 Europe and the World.
• Sarah Adie and Anna Sonday were recognized for their good work in H150 American Experience.
• David Spriegel earned the book prize in H250 Historical Thinking.
• Emily Degallier received the prize in H305 Colonial and Revolutionary America
• Anne Richards was honored in H355 U.S. Women’s History.
• Tim Van Cleave was recognized for his work in H321 Early Middle Ages. 
• Alison Hill took the book prize for H390 Modern China.

Students invited to submit ideas for next Kabara contest

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is offering students a second chance to win the Business Idea Elevator Pitch Competition. A total of $500 in prizes will be awarded to the winners and others selected at random.

Any undergraduate SMU student of any major who has an idea for a new business should enter. This competition also gives students a chance to enhance their presentation skills and the opportunity to explore the idea of starting a business. Participants will present their business ideas on Jan. 19 at 3:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Room 409. After the presentation, participants will submit a written script of the short speech.

This is not a PowerPoint presentation, but rather an explanation of a business idea similar to what you would give in a 60-90 second elevator ride. Anyone interested in participating should contact Teresa Speck by Jan. 15. E-mail your name, e-mail address and the name of the business to tspeck@smumn.edu.

Job and Internship Fair to be held Feb. 16-17

The Minnesota Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair will be held Feb. 16-17 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Students are invited to meet employers, explore possibilities and possibly land a job or internship. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 12. The cost to attend is $14. Contact the Career Services & Internships Office, Ext 6996, at Saint Mary’s Hall, Room 136 or go to www.smumn.edu/careerservices and click on the “Job and Internship Fairs” graphic.

In past years, over 150 organizations have participated in the Fair including: 3M, Cargill, Ecolab, Hennepin County, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Life, Minnesota Public Radio, Ordway Center, Padilla Spear Beardsley, Peace Corps, Target Corporation, Teach for America and West Group. For a complete list of companies attending, visit: www.mnpcfair.org.

Paper by Schmidt, Price and McCallum wins award

“Going Global: A Look at Corporate Citizenship” by student Melissa Ann Schmidt, and faculty members Lawrence Price and Shelly McCallum of the Business Department was named the McGraw-Hill/Irwin Distinguished Paper for the Business, Society and Government Track. The award will be presented at the upcoming 2010 Midwest Business Administration Association (MBAA) International Conference in Chicago in March. This paper is also automatically accepted for publication in the Business, Society and Government Journal.

Congratulations to Gossens

Ashley and Tim Gossen (Student Development) had a son, Damian John Gossen, on Sunday, Dec. 13. The SMU community extends its congratulations to the Gossen family.

Sympathy to Coburn, Straub families

Mary Louise Coburn, mother of Barb Croucher, Human Resource and Facilities director, Twin Cities campus, died on Saturday, Dec. 26.

Saint Mary’s trustee emeritus, benefactor, and alum Oscar Straub ’52 died Wednesday, Jan. 6.

Straub, 78, retired as co-owner and president of Motor Carrier Insurors of St. Louis and had served on the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees from 1988-1998 and again from 1999-2009. He was named a trustee emeritus in 2009.

The clock tower and courtyard on the Winona campus was a gift of Oscar Straub and his wife, Mary Jane, CST ’52. Oscar also received the 1997 Alumni Appreciation Award from Saint Mary’s. The award recognized his continuing dedication to the mission and to alumni and current students of the university. The Straubs frequently hosted a liturgy and dinner in St. Louis for Saint Mary’s alumni, prospective students, parents and friends.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Mary Jane Straub at 456 Sheffield Estate Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Coburn and Straub families.