Nationally known economist Chris Farrell to speak Nov. 11

Chris Farrell, economics editor for “Marketplace Money,” American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio personal finance program, will speak to audiences about “The New Frugality” at Saint Mary’s Thursday, Nov. 11.

Farrell has a unique ability to translate major trends in the economy and finance to a broad audience. He draws from his experience as a journalist, a large collection of everyday anecdotes, and a deep appreciation of history to make complex events simple and engaging.

An award-winning journalist, Farrell is a regular contributor to American Public Media’s “Marketplace Morning Report.” He writes for “Bloomberg BusinessWeek” and contributes to “Yahoo News.” Farrell also has a weekly column in the Minneapolis “Star Tribune.” A graduate of Stanford University and the London School of Economics, Farrell lives in St. Paul.

Farrell’s presentation, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Page Theatre, is free and open to the public. Farrell will discuss highlights of his latest book, “The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More and Live Better,” followed by a question-and-answer period, and a book signing in the lobby of the Performance Center.

Books will be available for purchase in the SMU Barnes & Noble Book Store and at the book signing.

The event is sponsored by the SMU Business Office.

Athletes to raise money, awareness at upcoming games

For the second year in a row, the Saint Mary’s volleyball team will host a “Dig Pink Night.” Dig Pink is a breast cancer awareness and fundraising event being held by high schools and colleges across the nation.

As part of Saint Mary’s “Give Back Weekend,” the Cardinals volleyball team will be donning pink uniforms today, Friday, Oct. 22, during their match against the Macalester Scots. Each player has received pledges for every dig the Cardinals record during the match, and all the proceeds will benefit the Side-Out Foundation. Dig Pink T-shirts will be given to the first 80 students in attendance, and everyone is encouraged to bring a few extra dollars to donate.

Other activities during “Give Back Weekend” include the SMU men’s soccer team’s “Cardinals Kick Cancer,” during the game vs. Saint John’s Saturday at 3 p.m. at Ochrymowycz Field. The Cardinals will be asking for donations at the gate, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital in honor of Shaymus Guinn, the son of former Cardinals coach Tony Guinn, who is currently battling cancer.

The SMU women’s soccer team will host the third annual “Footin’ 4 Food” drive for the local food pantry at their 5 p.m. MIAC contest against Saint Benedict Saturday. Anyone providing a non-perishable food item or a cash donation will receive a raffle ticket for great prizes to be given away at halftime.

Saint Mary's offers free intro to Chinese language

Saint Mary’s is offering a free, non-credit introduction to basic conversational Chinese (Mandarin) beginning Monday, Nov. 1.

The class will be taught by Lynn Chao, a Taiwan native who is a student in SMU’s Master of Arts in International Business. The class is open to the first 20 people who register online and attend the first session. If necessary, there will be a waiting list.

“Orientation: Chinese (Mandarin)” will be held every Monday night from 6:30-9 p.m. for six weeks. Saint Mary’s will provide access to textbook materials.

To register online, go to www.smumn.edu/intromandarin. For more information, contact Tammy Pape at Ext. 1733.

Page Series presents Houston Ballet II Nov. 4

The Page Series will present The Houston Ballet II, one of America’s most sought after young ballet companies, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in Page Theatre.

Featuring a stellar array of young artists, The Houston Ballet II is young American ballet at its finest. The company is part of The Houston Ballet, America’s fourth largest company, and performs a wide array of dance works that range from excerpts from great classics to contemporary works by Stanton Welch, the company’s artistic director. The evening’s repertoire will include “Raymonda Act III,” as well as the unexpected “Long and Winding Road,” based upon music by the Beatles.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. They can be purchased by calling the box office at Ext. 1715 Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

ISES members visit campus

On Oct. 15, 19 educational agents from seven countries, in addition to two International Student Education Services (ISES) staff members, visited campus as part of a familiarization visit.

ISES recruits international students from different countries with the help of educational agents, who are based in the international students’ countries. ISES then brings those agents to its universities partners for a familiarization visit.

The agents visited from Russia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Reception for First Generation Initiative is Nov. 4

Faculty and staff are invited to a wine and cheese reception for the First Generation Initiative on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 3:30 p.m., in the Toner Student Center lounge.

The event will include a discussion about FGI’s current status and vision. The 2010 Countdown to College faculty will share their experiences; FGI staff will share the early progress of FGI scholars; and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Please RSVP (Both yes or no) by Oct. 27 to Jo Nesler, Ext. 1664, or by e-mail at jnesler@smumn.edu.

Biology seminar to feature Kowles Oct. 28

The next biology seminar on Thursday, Oct. 28, will feature Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard Kowles with “Fortuitous Events in Researching Amazing Maize.” His presentation will begin at 4 p.m. in Room 112 of Hoffman Hall.

Kowles presents at Winona State

Dr. Dick Kowles, Professor Emeritus in Biology, presented “Can photosynthesis Efficiency be Increased in Crops with Biotechnology: The Merging of Scientific Disciplines to Find Answers,” at Winona State University Friday, Oct. 15. The presentation focused on research by Dr. Kowles, Dr. Jeannie Minnerath, and 11 SMU students. Kowles also accented the need for techniques and expertise from a number of biological disciplines to bring the project to fruition.

Student intern produces promotional video

Senior Mike Berg, an intern at the Borgen Project, a Seattle-based company dedicated to reducing poverty, recently produced a short promotional video that can be viewed on the SMU Art and Design blog at http://artanddesignatsmu.blogspot.com/2010/10/downsizing-poverty-supersizing.html.

Page Series hosts ‘The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe’

The Page Series will host a Theatreworks USA performance of the timeless children’s story “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in Page Theatre.

This enchanting musical is based on C.S. Lewis’ adventure story about four children living in war-torn England, who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. Narnia is a strange and wondrous place ruled by the cold-hearted White Witch, who makes winter last year round. Although they seem unlikely saviors, the four children fulfill an ancient prophecy by defeating the witch, thus restoring sunshine and peace to spellbound Narnia and returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. They can be purchased from the box office, Ext. 1715, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

‘Gathering for Narnia’ planned for Oct. 23 at Winona Public Library

The public is invited to attend a gathering at the Winona Public Library Saturday, Oct. 23, in celebration of Theatreworks USA’s production of “The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe” at the Page Theatre.

The free event will begin at 12:30 p.m. Teacher education students from SMU will lead children in kindergarten through grade six in creating masks or simple costumes, based upon the characters from C.S. Lewis’ novels.

Light refreshments will be served, and participants will have opportunities to win gift cards from Barnes & Noble and the Book Shelf, as well as tickets to see the “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.”

Lasallian Day of Service and Make a Difference Day Oct. 23

Saint Mary’s Alumni Association and its board of directors are sponsoring the second annual “Lasallian Day of Service” volunteer service day Saturday, Oct. 23.

On this day, numerous groups of alumni and friends will come together through the spirit of Saint Mary’s Lasallian mission of service to others and participate in service projects in their hometowns and neighborhoods. Please consider this wonderful opportunity to join “Together and by Association” with fellow alumni for this great day of service.

The following volunteer opportunities, arranged by the Alumni Association, are available at locations in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Winona:

•Feed my Starving Children, Chanhassen, Minn.
•Project for Pride in Living, Twin Cities
•San Miguel Schools - Back of the Yards Campus, Chicago
•San Miguel Schools - Gary Comer Campus, Chicago
•St. Procopius School, Chicago
•Community Service Projects with Current Students, Winona

Register by Monday, Oct. 18, by contacting the Alumni Office at Ext. 1499 or online at www.smumn.edu/lasalliandayofservice.aspx.
For more information, contact Barb Hall at Ext. 4517 or e-mail bhall@smumn.edu.

Make a Difference Day

SMU volunteer mentors have set a goal to recruit 150 students to lend a helping hand in the Winona community from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 23, for the third annual Make a Difference Day. Students can sign up in the Office of Campus Ministry or during lunches. All volunteers will receive a free lunch and a T-shirt.

Women in Mathematics Colloquium features mollusks

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics Women in Mathematics Colloquium will feature Dr. Judy Holdener of Kenyon College with “The Spiraling Art of Mollusks.”

Are mollusks artists? Anyone observing the spiraling seashells, mollusks sometimes produce, might believe they are. In this talk, Dr. Holdener will reproduce the art of mollusks using a fairly elementary mathematical model of seashell form. The model is based on the observation that most shells grow isometrically, meaning they retain the same shape as they enlarge. With the help of the computer algebra system MAPLE, she will then employ iterative models to render the surface patterns commonly found on seashells. In doing so, she will not only apply mathematics to obtain the beauty found in nature, she will illustrate the beautiful nature of applied mathematics.

The event is scheduled for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in Salvi Lecture Hall with a reception for Dr. Holdener beginning at 4 p.m.

This colloquium is supported by a National Science Foundation grant to encourage women to study mathematics.

For more information, contact Dr. Kevin Dennis at kdennis@smumn.edu or Ext. 6650.

Theatre students to perform in London, Ireland

Saint Mary’s theatre majors will stage the highly theatrical disturbing docu-drama “God’s Country” from through Oct. 23 at TARA Studio in London and Nov. 29-30 at Smock Alley Studio Theatre in Ireland.

Written by Steven Dietz, the emotionally gripping plot takes a close look at the shocking history of the white supremacist movement in the USA.

Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary’s are studying theatre in London, England, this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program. Under the guidance of Saint Mary’s faculty, the program will include a variety of classes in theatre, as well as courses focusing on broader enrichment. Students will have the unique opportunity to attend numerous performances at London’s West End, Off-West End, and Fringe theatres.

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., “God’s Country” is directed by Dr. Gary Diomandes.

Theatre students to perform in London, Ireland

Saint Mary’s theatre majors will stage the highly theatrical disturbing docu-drama “God’s Country” from through Oct. 23 at TARA Studio in London and Nov. 29-30 at Smock Alley Studio Theatre in Ireland.

Written by Steven Dietz, the emotionally gripping plot takes a close look at the shocking history of the white supremacist movement in the USA.

Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary’s are studying theatre in London, England, this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program. Under the guidance of Saint Mary’s faculty, the program will include a variety of classes in theatre, as well as courses focusing on broader enrichment. Students will have the unique opportunity to attend numerous performances at London’s West End, Off-West End, and Fringe theatres.

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., “God’s Country” is directed by Dr. Gary Diomandes.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 25

Elementary and preschool children are invited to attend the 10th annual Saint Mary’s Halloween Fun Night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of campus for directions on where to park.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered. The Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 700 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life .

Donations of candy are needed to meet the need of this huge group of children!

Get set to scream at annual Walk of Horror

This year’s Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 14th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 29-31 in the bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.

Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

Head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears.

Last year more than 1,100 brave souls took the Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses. For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

Exhibit features pottery, drawings

Two Midwestern artists will display work at Saint Mary’s through Nov. 14.

Pottery by Schwarz features work by Dean Schwarz, a ceramic artist, painter, writer and teacher who co-founded South Bear School, an innovative summer arts school in Highlandville, Iowa.

Drawings by Whelan features work by John Whelan, an adjunct instructor in the Department of Art and Design, who currently lives in La Crosse, Wis.

The show, free and open to the public, is on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call Ext. 1652.

Auditions being held for Blue Angel

The annual Saint Mary’s music variety show, Blue Angel, is planned for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5-6.

Auditions for the show will be held the weekend of Oct. 22-24 and are open to students, faculty and staff. A sign-up sheet is available on the door of the Phi Mu Alpha room in the basement of the Toner Center.

For more information, contact Matt Polum at mtpolu08@smumn.edu or Rich Mazzetti at rlmazz08@smumn.edu.

October ‘Let’s Do Lunch’ to include costume contest

Staff from the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs joins the Volunteer Committee in hosting the first “Let’s Do Lunch,” a Halloween party on Friday, Oct. 29. Proceeds will benefit Christ the Teacher Institute for Education on our Nairobi campus. Wear your best costumes and compete for the coveted traveling trophy. Lunch will be in the common room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with costume judging at 12:30 p.m.

Next ‘Chat, Chow & Web 2.0’ event announced

Nancy Sims, copyright program librarian at the U of M, will discuss copyright issues relevant to higher education, including using teaching materials in class and online for the October Chat & Chow event. Sims will present from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Meet in the main lounge of the McEnery Center. The event is sponsored by the Fitzgerald Library, IT and Instructional Technology. Lunch will be provided; an RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary, and everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Jason Spartz, jspartz@smumn.edu.

Free piano recital Sunday

Guest artist and pianist Dr. Timothy Shorr from Viterbo University will present a free recital on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. The program will include Schumann’s Fantasy Op. 17 and Carnival Op. 9.