Spring ‘SPLaSH’ tickets now available

The Saint Mary’s University Theatre and Dance Department invites the public to the spring “SPLaSH” series — three one-act student plays directed by students — March 30 through April 3. The plays will be held at the Valéncia Arts Center’s Academy Theatre, 1164 West Howard St.

SPLaSH, which stands for “short play showcase,” will feature three one-act plays:

• “The Interrogation,” written and directed by Tom Conry of Waunakee, Wis., is a suspenseful performance where a single word and its results are judged.
• “Bang, You’re Dead!” is a zany comedy written by Paul Reakes and directed by Matthew Gorgone of Greenville, R.I., that will keep audiences guessing as Lydia and her boyfriend Marcus rehearse the murder of her husband.
• “Inner Thoughts,” a drama written and directed by Lindsay Christensen of Brooklyn Park, is about five high school students in a school hostage situation.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, March 30 through April 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3.

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. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Concert Band, Wind Ensemble to perform March 27

The Saint Mary’s Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, both directed by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will present a “Music in Our Schools Month” concert Sunday, March 27, in Winona.

The performance — scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in Page Theatre — will include works from Bach to Bencriscutto, and will feature clarinet faculty member Sylva Hanson performing the “Concertino for Clarinet and Band” by Frank Bencriscutto.

Other compositions to be performed include two very different compositions by Frank Ticheli; the first being his beautiful setting of “Loch Lomand,” and the second being his popular “Cajun Folk Songs.” The Wind Ensemble will perform a movement from J.S. Bach’s The Art of the Fugue, the majestic “Contrapunctus,” arranged for Wind Ensemble by Jack LaBauve. Other pieces include Shostakovich’s powerful “Festive Overture” and “Scenes from the Louvre” by Dello Joio.

The band will present this concert at two Twin Cities high schools on Friday, March 25, before bringing the performance to Winona audiences on March 27.

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

Public invited to SMU’s ‘Cardinal Plunge’ March 19

Brave souls and warm hearts are invited to join Saint Mary’s in the second annual “Cardinal Plunge” Saturday, March 19. This freezing fundraiser begins at 1 p.m. at Lake Goodview, located at Michael LaCanne Park.

This year, “Cardinal Plunge” proceeds will be given to the Cardinal Plunge Student Emergency Fund, a fund set aside for students in need or in emergency situations. A portion of last year’s proceeds went to Michael Mockler, a current junior at Saint Mary’s who had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The cost for this event is $10, and all participants who preregister will receive a “Cardinal Plunge” T-shirt. This event is sponsored by Student Life, The Future Alumni Committee, and Chartwells. Community sponsors include the Winona Dive and Rescue, EMS of Winona, and Aaron Repinski with Rip-Roaring Entertainment.

Registration begins at noon on site, or participants can pre-register online at www.smumn.edu/cardinalplunge and pay the day of the plunge. Donations can be made to the Cardinal Plunge Student Emergency Fund, Box 24. Refreshments and a brief lunch will be available.

More than 300 people attended the first “Cardinal Plunge” in March 2010. A total of 120 people “plunged” into Lake Goodview to raise money for Haiti relief efforts and for Mockler, who underwent surgery in June 2010.

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

For more information, contact Sarah McDonough at Ext. 1452 or spmcdo07@smumn.edu.

Chamber Singers perform in Rome

The Chamber Singers performed in Rome as part of their 2011 Concert Tour. A highlight of the tour included the performance of two new compositions — by SMU Music faculty Patrick O’Shea and Eric Heukeshoven — at St. Peter’s Basilica Friday, March 11. The 25-voice select ensemble is directed by Dr. O’Shea, associate professor of music.

Check out photos and audio from the trip on Bob Fisher’s blog, “SMUSINGS,” for an insiders look at the Chamber singer’s travels throughout Chicago, Italy and Rome. Go to http://smusingswithbob.blogspot.com/.

Mayo Scholars congratulated

Mayo Scholars and mentors pictured are (back row, left to right): Adrian Bauer, MBA candidate from the University of St. Thomas and MISP team leader; Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, SMU associate professor of biology; Dr. Shelly McCallum, SMU associate professor of business; John Meslow, Medtronics Foundation; Dr. Marilyn Frost, SMU vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Elizabeth Throop, SMU dean, School of Humanities and Sciences. (Front row, left to right): Zach Cizek, senior marketing major; Brian Kasel, senior biophysics major; Cree Kachelski, junior biology major; and Billie Keilen, senior accounting/management major.

Saint Mary’s Business and Biology Departments would like to congratulate the 2010/11 Mayo Innovation Scholarship award winners upon completion of their outstanding project work.

The SMU team included biology students Cree Kachelski and Brian Kasel, along with Business students Zachary Cizek and Billie Keilen. The team presented their work to the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property on March 11 at the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester.

Saint Mary’s collaborates with the Minnesota Private Colleges Council, Mayo Clinic, and the Medtronics Foundation in participating in the Mayo Innovation Scholarship program. The program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to work alongside a selected MBA student from a private college in Minnesota addressing research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic researchers for development consideration. The Mayo Innovation Scholarships are available to junior and senior business and science students with applications requested in the fall semester.

Faculty advisors this year were Drs. Jeanne Minnerath and Shelly McCallum.

Taylor Richmond benefit to help Grathen family

Saint Mary’s will present the 11th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 26.

The beneficiary of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — is Tony Grathen, the step-grandson of Susan Edel, registrar. Tony is a 7-year-old boy from Rollingstone who was diagnosed with rhabdomysarcoma cancer in April 2010. Rhabdomysarcoma is a rare type of muscular cancer.

Since his diagnosis, Tony has undergone surgery to remove a tumor on his neck as well as 22 lymph nodes. He also has finished a six-week treatment of radiation and requires 44 weeks of chemotherapy. Money raised from the benefit dance and silent auction will help the family pay for medical bills and transportation expenses.

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 Life staff member Nikki Richmond and her husband Nick Richmond. Taylor has a genetic terminal illness called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) and the money from his benefit was 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 Lance Thompson at Ext. 1686. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24-25. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room, located in the Toner Student Center. The public is welcome to bid.

If you are interested in volunteering your time or donating a basket or item for the benefit and/or silent auction, contact Nikki Richmond at richmond@smumn.edu or Lance Thompson at ljthom01@smumn.edu.

Gallery show highlights sculptures by Truax

A unique grouping of ceramic and mixed media sculptures by Lisa Schreiner Truax of the Department of Art and Design will be on display through March 27.

The show, “Synthetic Harmony,” is free and open to the public at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Habitat for Humanity to dedicate Women Build House

Tyrrena Ostrander and her sons will receive the keys to their new home and to a brighter future at a special home dedication and open house on Friday, March 25, at 182 Edward St.

What’s unique about this Habitat for Humanity house is that approximately 450 women picked up hammers and power tools to build alongside the Ostrander family. The Saint Mary’s University team of 42 individuals raised $9,400 toward the home and has been involved with construction throughout the year.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 2010, and in mid-April the family will be able to move into their new home.

The community is invited — between 5:30 and 7 p.m. — to tour the home, enjoy refreshments, welcome the Ostrander family and congratulate the hard-working Habitat volunteers. A program will begin at 6 p.m.

Women built the house as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe’s, which encourages women to build Habitat houses to move families out of substandard housing. Nationally more than 1,500 Habitat homes have been built by crews of women; this was Winona County’s first Women Build House.

Saint Mary’s presents Irish dance with Darrah Carr

The Page Series invites the public to celebrate the beauty of traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance with Darrah Carr Dance Wednesday, March 23.

The fast-paced, spirited dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the Page Theatre stage.

Renowned for integrating Irish culture within its choreography, Darrah Carr Dance blends Irish music, step dance footwork, and spatial patterns to create high-energy, rhythmically based work that is accessible to a broad audience.

Artistic Director Darrah Carr calls her style ModERIN: a playful combination of the words modern (dance) and ERIN (an Irish American term of endearment for Ireland). The evening will include a selection of traditional Irish dance as well as ModERIN works that combines elements of traditional style Irish dance with modern elements.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students 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.

Relay for Life to be held March 18-19

The Saint Mary’s Colleges Against Cancer will host its 2011 Relay for Life 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, March 18-19, in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Teams comprised of friends, families and co-workers will join together for this fundraising effort, which celebrates people who have battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost, and provides an opportunity to fight back against the disease.

Last year more than 250 people participated in the event which raised more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society. Catch the silent auction from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today on Saint Mary’s Hall, first floor.

Team members will spend the night walking around SMU’s indoor track from dusk to dawn to represent the 24-hour fight against cancer. Each team raises money for the American Cancer Society. This year’s theme is “Imagine a World with More Birthdays. I’m Making it Happen.”

Activities planned through the night include a silent auction, bingo, and other birthday-party themed games such as musical chairs, a piñata and ‘pin the tail on the donkey.’ Performances by Blue Angel and Gaslight acts and the SMU Dance Team are also planned. For more information, contact Kaitlin Wermerskirchen at kmwerm07@smumn.edu.

SMU presents Theatre IV with ‘Stuart Little’ April 7

In the final Page Series event of the season, Saint Mary’s invites the public to watch the classic tale of “Stuart Little” come to life Thursday, April 7.

Theatre IV will present this merry musical — beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre — about a noble mouse that jumps headlong into adventures big enough to match any imagination. Funny, tender and exciting, “Stuart Little” mixes gorgeous child-size puppets with live actors to work theatrical magic.

Stuart’s creator, E.B. White once said, “Well, many years ago I went to bed one night in a railway sleeping car, and during the night I dreamed about a tiny boy who acted rather like a mouse. That’s how the story of Stuart Little got started. And although my stories are imaginary, I like to think that there is some truth in them, too — truth about the way people and animals feel and think and act.”

Theatre IV is a nonprofit, professional touring children’s theatre that was formed in 1975. During 2009-2010 they performed live before over a half million children, teens, parents and teachers across America.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students 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.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2010 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Farrell’s photography on display in Ben Miller Lobby

Photography by Winona artist Mary Farrell will be on display through April 17 in the Ben Miller Lobby of the Performance Center. An opening reception is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. today, Friday, March 18. For more information, call (507) 457-1715.

Speaker to address ‘Reform of Catholic Liberal Education’

Guest speaker Thomas S. Hibbs will present “Aquinas, MacIntyre, and the Reform of Catholic Liberal Education,” Thursday, March 24, as part of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Lecture Series.

Hibbs is a distinguished professor of Ethics & Culture and dean of the Honors College at Baylor University. The presentation — scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Salvi Lecture Hall — is generously sponsored by the Department of Philosophy, the Dean of Humanities and Sciences, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, in cooperation with the minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. For more information, contact Dr. Joseph Tadie at jtadie@smumn.edu or Ext. 6652.

Hendrickson events near

Save these dates for a variety of Hendrickson Institute events.

Women Who Step Forward ~ April 16
Mark your calendars for a personal and professional development conference on women's leadership. The keynote speaker is New York Times best-selling author Gail Evans who served as the executive vice president of CNN and served in President Johnson’s administration. Evans will discuss the ethics and importance of women supporting other women in order to succeed in leadership. Attend this day-long event if you’re interested in professional development, personal growth, and learning from inspiring and forward-thinking keynote and break-out session speakers. This event will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harrington Mansion and Event Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis. Tickets are $45 for general admission, $35 for students. For registration information, contact Anna Shields at (612) 238-4550 or ashields@smumn.edu.

Connect. Network. Advance. ~ April 19
Alumni, students and friends of Saint Mary's will gather for an evening of networking, résumé reviews and a guest speaker. Bring along business cards for networking opportunities and résumés if you're searching for a job change. This event will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Harrington Mansion and Event Center in Minneapolis. To register, contact Barb Hall at (612) 238-4517 or bhall@smumn.edu.

Hendrickson Forum Seminar:
Microfinance in the Urban Core ~ April 20
Widely publicized as a tool for developing nations, microfinance has a profound impact in the Twin Cities. Explore how the local microfinance landscape — access to business development, credit, grants — helps move individuals and communities toward economic security. Then join a group of distinguished panelists in a lively discussion.

Moderated by Dr. Richard Bohr, the panel includes:
• Ramón León, president, Latino Economic Development Center
• Diane Patterson, director of Business Development, WomenVenture
• Joe Selvaggio, founder of MicroGrants.net
• Mihailo Temali, president of Neighborhood Development Corporation

The event will be held from 1 to 2:45 p.m. at the Harrington Mansion and Event Center in Minneapolis. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $10 for SMU students, faculty and staff. Order online at www.smumn.edu/hendricksonforum.

Hendrickson Forum:
Social Capitalism: An “App” to Fight Poverty ~ April 20
Enjoy a conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund and author of “The Blue Sweater.”

Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the Project for Under-Told Stories at Saint Mary’s University and a correspondent for The PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, will be the moderator.

Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty.

For her work with Acumen, Novogratz was named a TIME magazine “Responsibility Pioneer,” recognized for her work in changing the world for the better.

Acumen Fund seeks to prove that small amounts of philanthropic capital, combined with large doses of business acumen, can build thriving enterprises that serve vast numbers of the poor. Its investments focus on delivering affordable, critical goods and services — like health, water, housing and energy — through innovative, market-oriented approaches.

Her recent best-selling memoir, “The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World,” chronicles her quest to understand poverty and challenges readers to grant dignity to the poor and to rethink their engagement with the world.

The event will be held 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Harrington Mansion and Event Center. Regular admittance is $25 for the public, $10 for SMU students or $20 for SMU faculty and staff.

Complimentary tickets for the forum and seminar are reserved for SMU staff/faculty (first come, first served basis). Contact Barb Hall at (612) 238-4517 or bhall@smumn.edu to reserve one complimentary ticket.

Contact Bob Biebel if you’d like to carpool to the Forum or if you'd like to watch a live podcast to the Winona campus. PLEASE NOTE: The Hendrickson Institute will be happy to fund the podcast if a core group — or class — expresses interest in attending. Please RSVP to Barb Hall or Bob Biebel.

Employee Recognition Awards to be given out April 7

Employees who will celebrate an anniversary of employment at Saint Mary’s — as well as this year’s retirees — will be honored at the Service Recognition Awards Ceremony from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the Common Room. This year’s retirees are Susan Edel, Dr. Marilyn Frost, Dorothy Huwald, Dr. Martin Judd and Sister Clare Korte, OSF.

Competitors needed for Iron Chef competition

The 3rd annual Iron Chef competition will take place in the North Dining Room at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27. As always, the funds raised will be sent to Bethlehem University for the Gaza Student Initiative.

This initiative provides scholarships for students from Gaza to attend Bethlehem University.

Students will be signing up in teams of up to four people. Each team is responsible for preparing a dish and dessert for 10 people.

In the past faculty and staff have also entered. Faculty/staff teams do not have to have multiple members, so if you’re a lone chef, you're welcome to participate.

If you're interested in making a dish for the competition (or just providing a dish and not competing), let Dorothy Diehl know at Ext. 1531 or ddiehl@smumn.edu.

Business Office raising funds for Feed My Starving Children

The Business Office will be working as a team with “Feed My Starving Children” to package meals for children around the world. Volunteers will be hand-packing meals on Saturday, March 26.

Each team is asked to raise $750 to participate. Collection jars are located at the windows for additional donations. For more information about FMSC, go to fmsc.org.

Discussion group for parents with Katy Smith ends March 23

Counseling Services is partnering with Katy Smith, a licensed parent educator for Winona Public Schools, to offer a noontime discussion series for faculty and staff parents (and grandparents) with children younger than 7.

The discussion will center on the book “Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents” by Christine Carter. A wide array of research studies show that happiness is a learned behavior that we can help our children build and maintain.

The discussion series will begin at 12:15 p.m. in the President’s Room. Participants are invited to bring their own lunches; beverages and desserts will be provided. There is no charge for the series. Discussions will continue on March 23.

Please call Ext. 1773 to indicate your interest in the group or if you would like more information. Participants can come to all sessions or just the ones that fit with their schedules.

Speaker to address college alcohol and drug issues

Mike Alle from Hazelden Center for Youth and Families will address college alcohol and drug issues at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Alle has been a counselor for 29 years and is an international speaker. A question-and-answer period will follow. If there are questions that people would like answered but do not want to ask in front of others, e-mail them to Jason Flanders, AOD Education coordinator/counselor, at jflander@smumn.edu by 2 p.m. today, Friday, March 18. The event is hosted by the Counseling Center.

Day at the Capitol scheduled for March 31

Students from Saint Mary’s are invited to travel to Saint Paul Thursday, March 31, for Minnesota Private College Day at the Capitol. This annual event provides an opportunity for Minnesota private college students to see first-hand how state government works.

On this day, students meet with their legislators at the State Capitol to advocate for student financial aid, specifically the Minnesota State Grant Program.

Jackson, Dulak to speak at next Chat & Chow

Dave Jackson and Joe Dulak are back to talk about e-study, e-books, and wikitext during the next Chat & Chow, “It’s Geek to Me,” Wednesday, April 6. They’ll be joined by Jason Spartz for the latest on McGraw-Hill’s Connect. The menu will be Greek.

Meet between 12:15 and 1:15 p.m. in the main lounge of the McEnery Center. This presentation is sponsored by The Fitz, IT and Instructional Technology. Lunch is provided; RSVP to Jason Spartz at jspartz@smumn.edu.

Pilarski named human resource assistant

Sandy Pilarski, formerly of the Fitzgerald Library, has been named the human resource assistant. Stop by Room 145 in Saint Mary’s Hall to welcome her.

Rodeheffer receives Graven Award at Wartburg

Dr. Jane Kelley Rodeheffer, professor emerita of philosophy, was recognized for her commitment to service with the 2011 Graven Award at Wartburg College on Tuesday, March 15.

Rodeheffer helped develop the Interdisciplinary Core program at Saint Mary’s, and refounded the Lasallian Honors Program, which connects students to service learning through great books. She is currently piloting a new mentoring program for the Lilly Graduate Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts.

The Graven Award is presented annually to a person “whose life is nurtured and guided by a strong sense of Christian calling and who is making a significant contribution to community, church and society.” Recent Graven Award recipients have included environmental activist Robert Kennedy Jr., and Greg Mortenson, author of the bestseller “Three Cups of Tea.” To read the press release, go to www.wartburg.edu/Article.aspx?ID=4663.

Sievers shares experiences in Spain in newsletter

Rachel Sievers, who went to Spain in 2007, has a piece in this CC-CS (Center for Cross-Cultural Studies) newsletter under “Alumni Stories.” To read the article, go to www.spanishstudies.org/index.php?id=720.

Employee changes

Leaving:
• Megan Radke, March 14, Admissions counselor
• Casey Ingvalson, Feb. 25, IT-Multimedia technician
• Peggy Walters, Feb. 18, Student Life administrative assistant.

Spartz presents in Chicago

Jason Spartz, director of Instructional Technology - Winona campus, presented at the 2011 EDUCAUSE Midwest Regional Conference in Chicago, Ill. His presentation sessions, focused on “Cloud Collaboration with Google Apps,” took place as part of an Experience IT series and a Technology Boot Camp event. The sessions were designed to provide attendees hands-on opportunities with technology tools. Spartz was also fulfilled his commitment as a member of the 2011 program committee and was actively involved with the development of the teaching and learning track.

Sympathy to Leckenby, Grandl and Meinke families

Jim Haight, father-in-law to Harry Leckenby, Physics), died Thursday, March 10. A note of condolence can be sent to Harry and Anne Marie Leckenby at Campus Box 32.

Dorothy Overing, mother-in-law of Dennis Grandl, maintenance, died Wednesday, March 9. A note of condolence can be sent to Denny Grandl and Family, Campus Box 39.

Elaine (Meinke) Olson, mother of Steve Meinke, maintenance, died Tuesday, March 8. A note of condolence card can be sent to to Steve Meinke, Campus Box 39.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Leckenby, Grandl and Meinke families.