10th SMU benefit dance to help Griffin family

Bob and Crystal Griffin and family

Saint Mary’s will present the 10th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, March 20.

The beneficiaries of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — are Bob and Crystal Griffin and their family of Fremont. Crystal works in the Maintenance Department at Saint Mary’s, and the two co-own the Lewiston bowling alley, L.A. Lanes. They have three sons, ranging from age 5 to college.

Bob underwent emergency surgery in May because of an infection in his back. Doctors removed two vertebrae and replaced them with titanium, leaving Bob with only a 1 or 2 percent chance of ever walking again. Determined, Bob is undergoing aggressive physical therapy in La Crosse, Wis. Money raised from the benefit dance and silent auction will help the family pay for medical bills and help the family make renovations to their home for handicap accessibility. The family also hopes to purchase a handicap accessible van.

The benefit dance has become an annual tradition since its start in 2001 by students in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s Campus Ministry and Student Activities staff member Nikki Richmond. Taylor has a genetic terminal illness called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) and the proceeds from his benefit were used to fulfill Taylor’s dream of going to Disney World. Each year this event benefits someone in the SMU community in need.

The dance, featuring music by the Johnny Holm Band, will be held in the Toner Student Center dining room. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $25 per couple. To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact Jason Richter at Ext. 1648. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Richter at Box 45.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 18-19. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room.

Lots of items have already been donated, but more are needed. If you have something you would like to donate (handmade gifts, gift baskets, services, etc.) get them to Richter or Richmond by Monday, March 15.

In addition to the dance and silent auction, the student committee is selling a special 10th annual Taylor Richmond benefit dance T-shirt for $10.

Cardinal Plunge totals announced

More than 300 people attended the first “Cardinal Plunge” Saturday, March 6, at Michael LaCanne Park. A total of 120 people “plunged” into Lake Goodview to raise money for Haiti relief efforts and a fund for Michael Mockler, a current sophomore at Saint Mary’s who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The event raised $1,600, and approximately $1,400 was collected in outside donations. Video of the event is at www.youtube.com/smuwinona.

Reminder about Census

Faculty and staff are asked to remind students to fill out their U.S. Census forms. Minnesota Secretary of State Mike Ritchie was on campus Monday to stress how important students are to the City of Winona and the State of Minnesota for the 2010 U.S. Census.

Minnesota is especially interested in counting all students, because even a few missed residents could mean losing a district in the U.S. House of Representatives. This could result in negative federal and state funding consequences.

All students — from any state or country — will be counted where they live for the majority of the year and should answer appropriately. All Winona campus SMU students will fill out a census form in Winona. Off-campus students will receive a mailed form starting March 13, while on-campus students will receive forms later in the month.

Class begins selling ‘The Red Card’ this week

The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship class is selling special discount cards benefiting the Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin.

The “Red Card,” which is being sold for $10, includes reduced prices on merchandise from 19 local businesses including Westgate Bowl, Mugby Junction, Fantastic Sams, Tres Compadres, Electric Beach, Golden China, Spa Panache, Chula Vista, Jefferson’s, Warpzone, Perkins, Jimmy John’s, Ground Round, Sammy’s Pizza, GQ Hairstyling, Country Kitchen, Timber’s, Papa Murphy’s and Blooming Grounds.

The card can be used until March 1, 2011, and its value is not limited. If the card is used at each business one time per month, the approximate annual savings to cardholders is $800. For a family of four, the estimated annual savings are doubled.

The fundraiser benefits Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin, a team of volunteer medical staff that travels to Haiti several times each year to provide free medical care. A student in the SMU class is from Haiti and has served as a medical translator for doctors and nurses in this organization.

The Red Card will be sold during the following events:

• SMU baseball — home games — April 5, 7, 9 and 17.
• SMU softball — home games — March 25, and April 8 and 14.
• Relay for Life — SMU Fieldhouse — April 9.
• Page Theatre — March 13 and 14.
• Earth Day — Unity Park, SMU table — April 17 from 2:30-7 p.m.

The Red Card will be sold at the following locations:

• Blooming Grounds, 50 E. 3rd St.
• Jimmy Johns, 155 E. 3rd St.
• Warpzone Video Games, 521 Huff St.
• Toner Center during the week of March 15-19 from 11:30-1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m.
• SMU Information Desk, Ext. 1600
• SMU Business Office, Ext. 6655.

Concert Band to feature student soloist, conductor

Kate Dullard and Ryan Ballanger

The Saint Mary’s Concert Band will present its annual early spring concert on Sunday, March 21. This performance will begin at 3 p.m. in Page Theatre. The concert will feature two senior band members, Ryan Ballanger as guest conductor, leading the band in Hazo’s “Solas Ane,” and Kate Dullard, piccolo soloist, performing “The Bird in the Wood” by Thiere.

The band, directed by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will also present composer Carl Schroeder’s “Minnesota Portraits,” a three-movement suite recently composed for the Calhoun-Isles Community Band in Minneapolis. The movements are inspired by the composer’s impressions of three Minnesota landmarks: Historic Fort Snelling, Lake Calhoun Sunrise and the Mississippi River. John Zdechlik’s famous “Chorale and Shaker Dance” is also on the program, along with works by Grainger, Creston, Shostakovich, and Surinach.

This performance is part of a year-long exploration of Minnesota-based composers. Earlier concerts this season have included the works of Frank Bencriscutto and Dan Kallman. The SMU Concert band is comprised of 60 student and Winona-area community musicians and rehearses twice weekly throughout the academic year.

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

If you are interested in performing with the SMU Band next season contact the director at jheukesh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s displays sculpture from Missouri artist

A unique exhibit of sculptures, some using found objects, that “exhume, analyze and challenge past and present issues,” will be on display through Friday, March 26, at Saint Mary’s.
Chris Wubbena, assistant professor in the Department of Art at Southeast Missouri State University, will display “the de minimis series” (a term often used to reference trivial or unworthy matters) in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Mear at mmear@smumn.edu.

SMU Green Team presents 5-part series on sustainability

The Saint Mary’s Green Team is presenting a five-part series on sustainability.

On Wednesday, March 17, the topic will be “Food.” Mary Gleich, Curt Coshenet, Chris Kendall and Chris McClead will lead a discussion on how food affects and is affected by climate change, including locally grown foods, composting, gardening, farming, Fair Trade, starvation, and other topics.

On Monday, April 23, Dr. Tom Marpe, Chris Kendall and Andy Robertson will lead a discussion on “Green Economy” — how climate change impacts the way we do business including green purchasing, marketing strategies, and new careers related to sustainability.

Everyone is invited. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center lounge.

Page Series presents Ned Kirk March 13-14

Pianist Ned Kirk will interpret Beethoven and others Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14, at Saint Mary’s, concluding the 2009-2010 Page Series. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Kirk, known locally as the artistic and managing director of the Minnesota Beethoven Festival and as the chair of Saint Mary’s Department of Music, is an electrifying and sensitive interpreter of Beethoven. His technique is “impeccable” and his musicianship has been described as “marvelous.”

For the past 25 years, Kirk has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, and the 2009-2010 concert season has included performances on four continents. In the United States he is appearing on concert series from coast to coast, with recital performances in California, Nevada, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina and Florida. Other highlights include concerto engagements with the Minnesota Orchestra and music director Osmo Vänskä at both Sommerfest and the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, as well as a concerto performance with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra in Wisconsin. Overseas performances include 10 recitals in Kenya, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, and China. For the 2010-2011 season, Kirk will be performing in Germany, Singapore and China, as well as the United States.

Since 2007, Kirk has served as artistic and managing director for the Minnesota Beethoven Festival. Now in its fourth season, the festival is dedicated to showcasing the tremendous talent found in the region, as well as featuring some of the most important international concert artists of our time. Visit his website at www.nedkirk.com.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 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.

Iron Cardinal Fitness Competition April 17

The first ever Iron Cardinal Strongman/ Strongwoman Fitness Competition will be held on Saturday, April 17.

The competition is open to all Saint Mary's students, faculty, and staff.

Possible events include: a log press, stone carry, golf cart pull, tire flip and sprint, sheaf toss and farmer's walk.
The participants will be split into male and female divisions. If the number of participants is great, then the competition will also be split into weight divisions.

To register, sign up in the Student Activities office. The cost is $10 and all participants will receive an Iron Cardinal T-shirt.

If you have any questions contact Jamie Herrick, Ext. 6968; Jason Flanders, Ext. 6692; or Jason Richter, Ext.1648.

Kabara Institute announces Business Plan Competition

Full-time undergraduate students at Saint Mary’s are invited to submit business plans for a chance to win $1,500 in cash through the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Participants may enter as individuals or as a team of two students. All majors are encouraged to take part.

New this year, there are separate divisions for business majors and non-business majors

Students are invited to develop a business plan for a business that they would like to start. Contents of the plan should include:

• a one-page executive summary
• a concept statement
• a preliminary marketing plan
• a discussion of operating considerations (suppliers, manufacturing processes, staffing, operating hours, etc.)
• anticipated startup costs and pro-forma financial statements for the first year of operation
• and references for the sources used in the plan and contact information for each of the entrants.

Criteria for judging the plans includes: creativity, feasibility of the proposed project and comprehensiveness of the business plan.

A hard copy and electronic copy of the business plan must be submitted to Teresa Speck by Monday, March 15.

For more information, contact Speck at tspeck@smumn.edu or Ext. 1449. Questions about developing business plans can be directed to Jana Schrenkler at jschrenk@smumn.edu or Ext. 1491 or Sharon O’Reilly at soreilly@smumn.edu or Ext. 1576.

Gaslight planned for March 12-13

The annual variety show Gaslight will be presented today at 8 p.m. and on Saturday, March 13, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the dining room.

Tickets have been on sale at lunch all this week and are now currently available at the door. The cost for this event is $7.

Flanagan to discuss book about Irish dance March 16

Dr. Kathleen Flanagan, associate professor of theatre and dance at Saint Mary’s will present, discuss and sign her new book, “Steps in Time: The History of Irish Dance in Chicago” Tuesday, March 16.

The public is welcome to enjoy Irish music and a display of the Mary Clare Karnick Irish History & Culture Collection beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the McEnery Center Lounge. Flanagan’s book will be available for purchase.

Refreshments will be served, and the event is free. For more information, call Dr. Bill Crozier at Ext. 1563.

Second annual Limerick Slam is March 17

The Society for the Promotion of the Limerick as a Pedagogical Instrument will present the second annual Limerick Slam on Saint Patrick’s Day Wednesday, March 17. This event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Cardinal Club.

There are several categories at this year’s Limerick Slam including Current Events Limericks, Lasallian Limericks, Academic Limericks, Open Category and a new category titled Limericks by Non-Native English Speakers.

Everyone is invited to submit entries by 5 p.m. March 17 or write a limerick on the spot at this event. Refreshments will be available. The judges this year are: Winona’s Poet Laureate Ken McCullough, Brother Finbar McMullen and Dr. Liz Throop.

For more information or to submit limericks, contact pedagogical.limericks@gmail.com

Next Chat, Chow & Web 2.0 is March 17

The next Chat, Chow & Web 2.0 will be held Wednesday, March 17, in the main lounge of the McEnery Center. The event will examine “E-portfolios: Ere Their Story Die” between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. A portfolio has been described as a “collection of a student’s work specifically selected to tell a particular story about the student.” Do your students have the technological tools to create portfolios for the 21st century? Discover what your colleagues are doing to meet this challenge. The event is sponsored by the Fitz, IT and Instructional Technology. Lunch will be provided, and RSVPs can be made to ckjorlie@smumn.edu.

Let’s Do Lunch planned for March 19

The volunteer committee has scheduled the next “Let's Do Lunch” for Friday, March 19, in the President’s Room. Toner Student Center staff will serve an Irish versus Italian menu, and several meatless dishes will be provided. The Volunteer Committee will provide desserts, beverages and paper products. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; a freewill offering will be taken!

Admission hosts Chicago Overnight event

On Saturday and Sunday, March. 13-14, the Office of Admission is hosting the Chicago Overnight event.

Eighty high school juniors and seniors are registered for the overnight. The group will be touring campus, staying with student ambassadors, participating in a student and faculty/staff panel, eating in the cafeteria, etc.

On Saturday night, the group will enjoy Gaslight. If you run into the group, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself!

Overnights are a big part of the college decision for most students. A successful overnight is not possible without the efforts of current students who host prospective students. Ambassadors are freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are active on campus and positively represent SMU. For more information, contact Aubrey Hollnagel, visit coordinator and director of Ambassadors.

Myers, Minnerath team up for next faculty presentations

Two faculty reports will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, in Salvi Lecture Hall.
Judy Myers, Department of Theatre and Dance, will present “All Aboard for Broadway via Alaska” and Jeanne Minnerath, Biology Department, will present “Case Studies in the Classroom.” Refreshments will be provided. The event is sponsored by the Faculty Development Committee, in conjunction with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Publish Post

SMU hosts Girls’ Basketball Camp July 11-15

Saint Mary’s University is hosting a Girls’ Basketball Camp July 11-15 for students entering grades five through 10 this fall.

This instructional camp gives special attention to the fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, passing and defense. Time is spent developing team concepts, as well as offensive and defensive game plans. Girls in each age group are challenged to compete and improve their skills against other campers their age. 75 percent of the focus will be on individual skills during the camp, and the other 25 percent will be on team play.

Saint Mary’s women’s basketball coach Mandy Pearson will lead this camp, assisted by SMU women’s basketball team members. Campers will have the opportunity to play in the Cardinal’s home gym as well as have daily access to the Recreation and Athletic Center.

Rates are $375 before April 15 and $395 after April 15. These residential camps include lodging and meals from the evening of Sunday, July 11, through breakfast Thursday, July 15. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps. For more information, call Ext. 6921.

Flanagan Dancers to perform on St. Patrick’s Day

On St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17, the Flanagan Irish Dancers, under the direction of Kate Flanagan, Theatre & Dance Department, will perform at Jefferson’s. Throughout the evening there will be music, song, and dance. In addition to the step and figure dances performed by the dancers, there will be opportunities for all to join in group ceili dances and Irish sing-alongs. The festivities will run from 5:30 - 9 p.m.

Spartz to present in Chicago

Jason Spartz, Information Technology Manager – Multimedia Systems will give a presentation on Tuesday, March 16, at the EDUCAUSE Midwest Regional Conference in Chicago. The presentation topic is titled “Chat, Chow, and Web 2.0: Nourishing the Teaching and Learning Community.” Additional conference information can be found at http://net.educause.edu/mwrc10. Spartz has also accepted an invitation to participate on the planning committee for the EDUCAUSE 2011 Midwest Regional Conference which will be held March 14 -16, 2011 in Chicago.

Next Brown Bag it @ the Fitz scheduled for today

Faculty and librarians will host a discussion on a way to work together to facilitate student research on today, Friday, March 12. This discussion will take place from 12:45-1:30 in the McEnery Center Lounge.

This discussion will offer the librarians’ perspective and encourage faculty to offer their perspective and suggestions for improving research strategies and library instruction at SMU. Bring a lunch; drinks and desserts will be provided.

Annual Chicago Reception a success

On Sunday, Feb. 14, the Admissions Office hosted a reception at the Oak Brook Marriott Hotel in Chicago. The event drew 54 students, plus many parents. This successful event could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, coaches, current students, alumni and SMU parents who shared their Sunday to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to prospective students. The admissions office would like to thank the following individuals for their supreme efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches — Dr. Carolyn Ayers, Dean Beckman, Carolyn Bray, Dr. Dan Bucknam, Dr. Philip Cochran, Dr. Gary Diomandes, Brendan Dolan, Joe Dulak, Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, Jeremiah Jackson, Dr. Trish Klosky, Sister Clare Korte, Preston Lawing, Mike Lester, Dr. Melissa Luedtke, Dr. Tom Mans, Rob McColl, Bill Moore, Dr. Daniel Olsen, Sharon O’Reilly, Brother Edmund Siderewicz, Lance Thompson, Tammy Vondrasek, Dr. Paul Weiner, Peg Winters and Jayne Wobig.

Current undergraduate students — Kyle Garesche, Annie Ivansek, Colleen Joyce, James May, Sarah McDonough, Colin Norris, Amy Streit and Brian Thomas.

Undergraduate alumni — Donald Ivansek ’83, Patricia Ivansek ’85 and Andy Kerrins ’00.

Parents of SMU students — Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joyce and Sandi Radke.

The positive comments heard from the students and their parents after these events remind the Admission Office that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

Jazz notes

Dr. John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven will perform with the Swing Inc. Quartet at Signatures Restaurant 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, and Friday, March 26.

Hendrickson Forum, seminar tickets available

A limited number of complimentary tickets are available to SMU faculty and staff for the Hendrickson Forum and Seminar on Wednesday, April 28.

The Hendrickson Forum featuring Dr. Marcelo — a distinguished scholar and lecturer on immigration, globalization and education — will take place at the Nicollet Island Pavilion at at the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis from 3 to 5 p.m.

Suárez-Orozco is the co-founder of the Harvard Immigration Projects and is currently the Richard Fisher Membership Fellow, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, and the Courtney Sale Ross University Professor of Globalization and Education at New York University. He will speak about “Global Migration: Best Practices for Business and Society in a Changing World.”

Panelists at the Hendrickson Seminar will discuss, “Demographics and Development: Migration's Impact on Minnesota Businesses” from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 at the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis.

Panelists will explore how migration’s demographic and economic upheavals are impacting Minnesota, specifically businesses and their changes in owners, employees, customers and the culture of their markets. With 19 Fortune 500 companies headquartered here, Minnesota both leads and is vulnerable to market changes due to migration.

The panelists for this seminar are: Tom Gillaspy, Minnesota State Demographer; Jesse Bethke Gómez, president of Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio; Kate Rubin, president of the Minnesota High Tech Association; and Hussein Samatar, executive director of the African Development Center of Minnesota.

If you'd like one of these faculty/staff tickets, e-mail Terri Nye, tnye@smumn.edu. Once the complimentary tickets are gone, tickets are $20 for the forum and $10 for the seminar for staff and faculty. Bob Biebel will organize a carpool/bus for faculty, staff and students who are interested.

More information on both events is available at HendricksonForum.smumn.edu. For more information, contact Barb Hall at (612) 238-4517, bhall@smumn.edu.

Valentine selected for summer research program

Stephanie Valentine, a junior computer science major, has been selected to participate in the CDC/CRA-W Distributed Research Experiences for Undergraduates (DREU) this summer. Valentine was matched to do research with Prof. Tracy Hammond of Texas A&M University. She was one of 80 students selected from 500 applicants.

DREU is a highly selective program that matches promising undergraduates with a faculty mentor for a summer research experience at the faculty member's home institution. DREU’s objective is to increase the number of women and students from underrepresented groups entering graduate studies in the fields of computer science and engineering. The DREU experience is valuable for students who are considering graduate school, providing them with a close-up view of what graduate school is really like and also increasing their competitiveness as applicants for graduate admissions and fellowships.

Young Alumni project involves historical posters

This current school year Saint Mary’s has implemented a Student Engagement Plan, sponsored by the Young Alumni Association. This program was developed to help encourage students to become aware and gain an understanding and appreciation for the university and the role that alumni play in the life of Saint Mary’s.

Over the next few weeks, displays throughout campus will showcase fun facts, historical dates, then and now photos and much more, all highlighting SMU’s history. For example, did you know our men’s basketball team played and defeated the famed Harlem Globetrotters?

This historical awareness campaign will educate students about SMU’s rich history, full of memorable people, mysterious happenings and long-standing traditions. For more information, contact Sabrina Kelly, skelly@smumn.edu.

May elected president of Winona Arts Center Board

Monta May, director of web communication, has been elected president of the board of the Winona Arts Center. In the upcoming year, May hopes to work on growing the board to its former strength, increasing membership and volunteerism for the center, raising the visibility of the center, collaborating with Winona360.org and continuing to bring quality exhibits and events to the community.

Go to www.winonaarts.org for more information. Contact mgmay@smumn.edu with questions about the center as an artist, performer or Winona community member. She is especially interested in talking to people who would like to be on the board or on one of the committees.

Sympathy to Tristano family

Olga Maksymkow, mother-in-law of Richard Tristano, History Department, died Sunday, Feb. 28, in St. Peterburg, Fla. Notes of condolence can be sent to Box 1505. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Tristano family.