Founder’s Day April 5 to honor six

The campus community will celebrate Founder’s Day on Tuesday, April 5. Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of the founding of Saint Mary’s in 1912 by Winona Bishop Patrick R. Heffron. All faculty, staff and students are invited to join in the festivities.

Mass will be held at 10:45 a.m. in Saint Thomas More Chapel, followed by convocation at 1:15 p.m. in Page Theatre. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. in the Toner Student Center Lounge.

Saint Mary’s will present honorary doctorates to Brother Michael Collins, FSC, ’59 Ed.D., president and chief academic administrator of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, and Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, ’59 Ph.D., professor of church history at Memphis Theological Seminary.

The Brother H. Charles Severin, FSC, Award for Excellence in Teaching will be given to Melissa Luedtke, Ed.D., of the Education Department. This award is given every other year to an undergraduate faculty member who is recognized by both students and other faculty as exceptional in their teaching and engagement of students.

Roxanne Eubank, Ed.D., professor, Doctor of Education in Leadership, and director of the Institute for Lasallian Studies, has been chosen as this year’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator. Distinguished Lasallian Educator Awards are given by Lasallian institutions in the North American-Toronto Region of the De La Salle Christian Brothers to honor contributions and commitment to the Lasallian mission of education.

Additionally, the Outstanding Male and Female Senior Awards will be presented to undergraduate students who have demonstrated the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership and service.

Brother Louis DeThomasis Award to be presented

Creativity, innovation and a spirit of educational entrepreneurship are hallmarks of Saint Mary’s Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs. A new award being given for the first time this year honors Brother Louis DeThomasis, chancellor, and recognizes the contribution of employees who reflect the principles his life exemplifies. Dr. Christina Huck, program director of the Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services, is the first recipient of the Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC, Award. Dr. Huck will receive her award at the Twin Cities campus awards reception in Minneapolis on April 6.

De La Salle Week activities announced

A variety of activities are scheduled for this year’s De La Salle Week, which will run Sunday, April 3, through Saturday, April 9.

Sunday, April 3
• 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. – Opening Liturgies, Saint Thomas More Chapel; refreshments served after Mass
• 3 p.m. – SPLaSH (three one-act student plays) by the Department of Theatre and Dance, Valéncia Arts Center’s Academy Theatre, 1164 W. Howard St.

Monday, April 4
• 8 a.m. – SMU Community Gathering in celebration of SMU Lasallian heritage with free donuts, first floor Saint Mary’s Hall
• 12:10 p.m. – Liturgy, Saint Thomas More Chapel.
• 4 p.m. – SOUL Reception for faculty and staff, Toner Student Center Lounge. All employees are invited to this informational session and to hear stories from fellow colleagues’ experiences on the Faculty/Staff SOUL Trip.

Tuesday, April 5 (Founder’s Day)
• 8 a.m. – SMU Community Gathering in celebration of SMU Lasallian heritage with free donuts, first floor Saint Mary’s Hall
• 10:45 a.m. – Liturgy, Saint Thomas More Chapel – by the Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop, Diocese of Winona, Celebrant
• 1:15 p.m. – Convocation, Page Theater
• Presentation of the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award
• Presentation of the Brother H. Charles Severin Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Presentation of honorary doctorates
• Presentation of the Outstanding Senior Awards
• 3 p.m. – Convocation Reception, Hall of Fame Room
• 8 p.m. – Lasallian Collegians Meeting, President’s Room

Wednesday, April 6
• 8 a.m. – SMU Community Gathering in celebration of SMU Lasallian heritage with free donuts, first floor Saint Mary’s Hall
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Lasallian Luncheon for faculty and staff, Faculty Dining Room. This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn more about Lasallian Leadership Institute, Buttimer, Lasallian Social Justice Institute and the International Association of Lasallian Universities. All are welcome.
• 12:10 p.m. – Liturgy, Saint Thomas More Chapel.
• 5:30 p.m. – The Step Group from De La Salle High school in Minneapolis, Student Dining Hall
• 6 to 8 p.m. – La Salle Fest, Hall of Fame Room. Join other students and faculty/staff in an enjoyable environment with fun and games; monetary donations will be accepted for CTIE.
• 7 p.m. –The Step Group from De La Salle High school in Minneapolis, Hall of Fame Room
• 9 p.m. – Campus movie, “October Sky,” Salvi Lecture Hall. Pizza will be served in honor of De La Salle Week

Thursday, April 7
(Feast of Saint John Baptist de la Salle)
• 8 a.m. – Morning Prayer, President’s Room, Toner Student Center. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the Christian Brothers for morning prayer in honor of the feast of Saint John Baptist de la Salle. Breakfast will follow in the Toner Student Center Lounge – all are welcome. •12:10 p.m. – Liturgy, Saint Thomas More Chapel
• 4 p.m. – Winona Campus Service Awards, Common Room.
• 4 p.m. – Softball, softball field
• 6:30 p.m. – “Stuart Little,” Page Theater (Tickets may be purchased at the box office.)
• 7 p.m. – Student Life Awards, Common Room. All Saint Mary’s faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Friday, April 8
• 8 a.m. – SMU Community Gathering in celebration of SMU Lasallian heritage with free donuts, first floor Saint Mary’s Hall
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Lasallian Luncheon for faculty and staff, President’s Room. The guest speaker will be Kevin McCaulsky from Manhattan College
• 12:10 p.m. – Liturgy, Saint Thomas More Chapel.
• 7 p.m. – Rugby match, outdoor track and field complex
• 8 p.m. – Gaslight, Dining Room

Saturday, April 9
• Volunteer event – hosted through Campus Ministry
• 1 p.m. – Baseball, Max Molock Baseball Field
• 5 p.m. – Gather at the Christian Brothers’ residence for a pasta dinner (limited to 20 people; sign up in the Office of Campus Ministry)
• 7 and 10 p.m. – Gaslight, Dining Room

Relay for Life raises more than $17,000

On Friday, March 18, the Saint Mary’s community participated in the Relay for Life. More than 300 students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate and remember those who have defeated cancer, those currently battling cancer, and those who have lost their lives to this disease. Team members spent the night walking around SMU’s indoor track from dusk to dawn to represent the 24-hour fight against cancer. The event raised more than $17,200 for the American Cancer Society and donations are still coming in. To see more pictures, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Cardinal Plunge raises nearly $1,500 for emergency fund

One group of jumpers included members of the SMU Women’s Basketball Team, from left: Kim Kaminski, Courtney Euerle, Cherie Kulig and Brittany Begrowicz.


Approximately 100 plungers braved the icy waters Saturday, March 19, at Michael LaCanne Park for the second annual Saint Mary’s Cardinal Plunge. Participants “plunged” into Lake Goodview to raise money for 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 sophomore at Saint Mary’s who had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor. This year’s event raised $1,455. To view more photos, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Spring ‘SPLaSH’ tickets now available

The Saint Mary’s 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.

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.

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.

Senior art shows to run April 2-May 14

Saint Mary’s senior art students will present their work in the upcoming exhibit, “Through the Lashes,” Saturday, April 2, through Saturday, May 14, at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

“Through the Lashes,” is a capstone experience for SMU Art Studio and Graphic Design majors. The name, chosen by the exhibiting seniors, comes from a reference Vincent Van Gogh made to his brother Theo in many letters. Van Gogh would say “Today, I painted through the lashes,” which meant he would squint his eyes to remove the middle grays and helped him focus on the strong contrasts of the objects he was looking at.

Artists displaying their work April 2 through April 24 will include Mike Berg, Quinten Castillo, Liz Daugherty, Rachel Elbert, Andrew Kilpatrick, Ellen Klug, Steven Mino, Rachel Sievers and Melisse Treptow. An opening reception for these students will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 2.

Artists displaying their work April 28 through May 14 will include Alexa Bergler, Stephanie Binot, Emily Cooper, Chelsea Deering, Jesse Fleming, Cody Harvey, Nicole Krystosek, Danielle Miller and Tania Trowbridge. An opening reception for the second showing will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

The galleries — free and open to the public — are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Gaslight to be held April 8-9

Auditions for the 49th annual Gaslight run through Sunday, March 27. Sign up on the Phi Mu Alpha door in the basement of the Toner Student Center. Gaslight will run 8 p.m. Friday, April 8, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the dining room. Tickets are $7. Gaslight is put on by the Senior Class of 2011.

Iron Chef fundraiser is March 27

The Iron Chef fundraiser will be held 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27, in the Toner Student Center Dining Room.

Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults, faculty and staff. The last opportunity to buy tickets will be today, Friday, March 25.

For more information, contact Dr. Dorothy Diehl at ddiehl@smumn.edu.

The money raised through this event helps support students at Bethlehem University.

Benefactor Recognition Event is April 2

On April 2, the university will honor its philanthropic partners at the annual Benefactor Recognition reception and dinner to be held on the Winona campus. The event, by invitation only, celebrates the generosity shown to Saint Mary’s and provides an opportunity for student and benefactor interaction.

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 today, 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 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.

Page Series presents ‘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.

‘Gathering for E.B. White’ April 2 at Winona library

Saint Mary’s will host a “Gathering for E.B. White” — author of the classic children’s favorites “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web” — Saturday, April 2, at the Winona Public Library.

Join SMU Performance Center staff and members of the Winona Learning Club, beginning at 12:30 p.m., at the Story Time Room of the library’s Children’s Department.

Selections from E.B. White’s books, including “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web,” will be read aloud, as well as the following “E.B. White Read Aloud Award” winners: “Skippyjon Jones” by Judith Byron Schachner, “When Dinosaurs Came With Everything” by Elise Broach, “Houndsley and Catina” by James Howe, and “A Visitor for Bear” by Bonnie Becker.

A drawing for free tickets will also be held in celebration of SMU’s Page Series performance of “Stuart Little” by Theatre IV.

For more information about this event, contact the SMU Performance Center Box Office, Ext. 1715 or the Winona Public Library Children's Department, 452-4592.

ICAA hosts Africa Night tonight

Africa Night, hosted by the Intercultural Awareness Association, will be held 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, in the Common Room.

Traditional African food will be offered and an African clothing fashion show will take place. Donations will go to Japan.

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. For more information, call (507) 457-1715.

Employee Recognition ceremony 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.

SMU to host early British literature conference

On April 8-9, Saint Mary’s will host the 19th annual Northern Plains Conference on Early British Literature (NPCEBL). The conference, funded this year by the college’s School of Humanities and Sciences and coordinated by John Kerr of the English Department, will bring advanced scholars, graduate students, and select undergraduates from the upper Midwest (and farther) to discuss literary-critical, theoretical, and pedagogical issues concerning the early literatures of the British isles.

The keynote speaker will be Dolores Frese of the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Frese will offer a talk titled “The Trace of Dante’s De vulgari eloquentia in Some Canterbury Tales, and Why It Matters.” Niki Ciulla, an SMU Literature major and Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor, will present a paper on Marie de France’s “Guigemar.”

The conference additionally serves as one of this year’s offerings from the Minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. For further information, contact John Kerr at Ext. 1673.

Hendrickson Forum events April 16-20

Save these dates for a variety of Hendrickson Institute-sponsored events. The Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership is committed to serving both emerging and current leaders of society. It is an academic resource for the university and the community, a forum for the exploration of ethical issues.

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.

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. 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.

SMU wins ORC Spelling Bee for sixth consecutive year

For the sixth year running, Saint Mary’s has emerged triumphant in the Winona ORC Spelling Bee. Facing grueling competition, Cardinal Virtues team members Dr. Paul Weiner, Father Paul Nienaber, Ph.D., and Dr. Liz Throop spelled their way to victory on March 23.

The Cardinal Virtues was one of 19 teams combining brain power to correctly spell words such as "dirndl,” “ingenue,” “dissymmetry,” “obelisk,” and “isinglass” and, in a sudden death playoff with Hiatt Manufacturing, Saint Mary’s correctly spelled “chiffonade" in the 11th round of the spelling bee. Team members won bee-colored piggy banks and a Berenstain Bears spelling bee coloring book, as well as a Hy-Vee gift card and some jaw-breakers.

The event raised over $3,000 for Winona ORC, which serves individuals with special needs obtain and maintain employment in the community

SMU hosts ‘Lunch and Learn’ with Pawn America founder

Saint Mary’s is hosting Brad Rixmann, founder and Chief Manager of Pawn America for its next “Lunch and Learn” titled, “Growing a Business, Giving Back” at SMU’s Apple Valley Center.

The event is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. The public is invited to discover how Rixmann turned a visit to a pawn shop into a thriving business. One of his challenges has been to overcome the pawnshop stereotype and convince people that it’s a family-oriented business that provides needed services to the community.

Bring your lunch or share a slice of pizza. All are welcome to this free event, but RSVPs are appreciated to Barb Hall at (612) 238-4517 or bhall@smumn.edu by Friday, April 1.

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.

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.

Spriegel to intern at Lincoln Presidential Library

The History Department is pleased to announce that David Spriegel, a junior history major, has received a summer internship in the Manuscripts Division of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill. He will have responsibilities such as creating/updating finding aids or bibliographic materials; processing collections; transcribing selected documents for exhibits/articles; and performing relevant research.

Rothering to present paper in Pittsburgh

Senior English and PR major Lauren Rothering is presenting a paper, “Identity in Adichie's Purple Hibiscus,” at the 2011 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention, held in Pittsburgh, Pa., March 23-26. Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society; Rothering is president of the Saint Mary’s chapter and will represent the chapter there. Her participation in the convention is made possible through support from the Student Senate travel fund, the Lasallian Honors Program, and the English Department.

Volunteer Mentors plan ‘Spruce Up Winona Day’

In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your spring cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Student volunteers will be available to work two shifts from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, to help local individuals, groups, churches and organizations in recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day.” Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

To register your request, please call Chris McClead at Ext. 7268 or e-mail cmcclead@smumn.edu.

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. 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.

Theology Department hosts national speaker March 18

On March 18, the Theology Department hosted SMU alum and national speaker and consultant on youth ministry Rich Curran (www.richcurran.com) to give a workshop to Pastoral and Youth Ministry majors, and others interested about, “All The Questions You Have About Youth Ministry, Answered.” Students engaged in a lively question-and-answer session combining the theory of ministry to young people to the practice of outreach, inclusion, pre-evangelization, and getting the rest of the parish on board. The workshop was part of the Spirituality for the Vineyard colloquia introduced this academic year, providing interested students the opportunity to engage with national and local leaders in the practice of lay ministry.