Saint Mary’s will honor six at Founder’s Day

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 a 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 America-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 McCloskey 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

Annual SMU benefit raises $13,500 for Grathen family

Tony Grathen, this year's beneficiary, right front, poses with his parents, Melissa Edel, right back, and Matt Grathen, left, as well as Taylor Richmond, the benefit's namesake, and his mother, Nikki Richmond.

About 660 people danced to the music of the Johnny Holm Band during the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance.

More than 660 people attended Saint Mary’s University’s 11th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance on March 26.

Proceeds from the dance — and a silent auction held on campus — raised more than $13,500 for this year’s beneficiary, Tony Grathen of Rollingstone, Minn. Grathen, son of Melissa Edel and Matt Grathen, is a 7-year-old boy who was diagnosed with rhabdomysarcoma cancer in April 2010. Rhabdomysarcoma is a rare type of muscular cancer. Grathen is the step-grandson of Susan Edel, registrar at Saint Mary’s.

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 his family pay for medical bills and transportation expenses.

The benefit dance has become an annual tradition since it was started by students in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s Campus Ministry and Student Life staff member Nikki Richmond and her husband Nick Richmond, both of Cochrane, Wis. 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 Disneyworld. Each year this event benefits someone in the SMU community in need.

Donations are still being accepted. To help, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Lance Thompson, Box 1528.

SMU’s Kabara Institute to host Jake Leinenkugel April 28

Saint Mary’s invites the public to a presentation by Jake Leinenkugel, president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, at 5 p.m. Thursday April 28 in Page Theatre.

The event — hosted by the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies — will highlight the “Leinenkugel’s Family Legacy.”

The well-known face of the 142-year-old company became the fifth generation to head the Leinenkugel Brewing Company in 1986. Born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jake worked in the family brewery each summer from the end of high school and all through college in a variety of roles — including the summer of 1972, when he almost burned the brewery to the ground. In the fall of 1982, Jake resigned his commission from the U.S. Marine Corps and came back to Chippewa Falls at the request of his father. He started in the sales department, and in 1986 he was elected vice president of marketing and sales. In 1988, Miller Brewing Company purchased the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. Miller saw the importance of keeping the Leinenkugel family heavily active in the brewery’s management, and Jake continued as vice president until he was promoted to president in 1989.

“I feel privileged to follow in my great-great-grandfather’s and father’s footsteps into this wonderful business,” he said. “We are fortunate to have so many loyal fans that love and support our products, and I feel it is important to interact with as many of them as possible.”

Leinenkugel ‘s presentation will include a brief history of the company, along with an overview of the brewing industry, water stewardship, and the renaissance of brewing used in the 21st century. In addition, he will explain how Leinenkugel operates as a business by showing their current brand portfolio and brand plan key imperatives, before concluding with the company’s succession planning.

For more information, contact Trevor M. Hall at Ext. 6978 or tmhall@smumn.edu.

Jazz Concert April 15 to feature Sorenson

Saint Mary’s University will heat things up this spring with a jazz concert Friday, April 15,at 7:30 p.m. in the Page Theatre. The featured soloist will be Yamaha clinician, composer, arranger and trombonist Dean Sorenson.

Sorenson is the associate professor and director of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota. His most recent publication is “Standard of Excellence First Jazz Performance,” a collection of jazz charts for elementary bands and jazz bands. An outstanding clinician, conductor, and soloist, he is frequently featured at festivals and conventions around the country and abroad. He also maintains a full schedule of concert and recording dates as a Yamaha performing artist. Sorenson has composed and arranged for numerous ensembles including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Airmen of Note and the United States Air Force Band. For more information please visit www.deansorensonmusic.com.

Sorenson will perform several of his own compositions and arrangements with the SMU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I. Both groups are co-directed this semester by Eric Heukeshoven and Dr. John Paulson of the Music Department. The 18-piece SMU Jazz Ensemble will perform Sorenson’s works “Cool City” and “Keep the Stick.” Jazz Combo I will perform “This is for Albert,” composed by Wayne Shorter and arranged for the group by Sorenson.

Other highlights of the concert will include the recognizable ballad “Willow Weep For Me,” featuring the alto sax stylings of senior Tommy Quinn of Cannon Falls; “High and Flightly,” composed by Hank Mobley and arranged by Mark Taylor, featuring both Quinn and trumpeter Tyler Ringeisen, also from Cannon Falls; “Nostalgia in Times Square” and “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat,” composed by Charles Mingus and arranged by Andrew Homzy and Ronnie Cuber; the popular ’70s jazz hit “Red Clay” by Freddie Hubbard, arranged by Mike Crotty as a Cha Cha; and some deep fried chicken funk by Kris Berg “Rule the Roost” cooked up in the style of the funk maestros Tower of Power. Other featured student soloists include Ben Scott of Rochester on tenor sax and Trevor Woggon of Viroqua, Wis., on trombone.

Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults, and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the box office, Ext. 1715, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or one hour before the performance.

Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology April 8

The Biology Department will host the 38th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 8, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s and other colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:20 a.m.

The symposium presents all attendees the opportunity to experience the process of open collegial assessment of experimental findings, the opportunity to encounter discoveries from a variety of scientific disciplines, and an excellent environment to develop personal contacts and acquaintances.

Dr. Marla Spivak, Distinguished McKnight Professor of Apiculture and Social Insects in the Department of Entomology and director of the Bee Lab at the University of Minnesota, will present the R.V. Kowles Lecture. Dr. Spivak’s research into the mechanisms of disease resistance in bee colonies is internationally recognized. For her work and her active dissemination of best practices to beekeepers worldwide, Dr. Spivak was recently awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. Her presentation, titled “Socialized Medicine in Honey Bee Colonies,” will begin at 1:45 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall.

The public is invited to attend the lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge. Morning refreshments will be provided.

SMU to host Northern Plains Conference on Early British Literature

On April 8-9, Saint Mary’s will host the 19th annual Northern Plains Conference on Early British Literature. The conference, funded this year by the college’s School of Humanities and Sciences and coordinated by Dr. 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.”

For further information, contact Dr. Kerr at ext. 1673.

M.Ed. annual conference to be held April 2-3

“Learning to Create Our Future Together” is the thematic focus for the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning’s annual conference at Champlin Park High School April 2-3, 2011. Approximately 450 learners in the M.Ed. Program and GPDE participants from across the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin will come together for two days of shared learning. Jamaica 2 learner’s who are currently enrolled in the M.Ed. program will also be sharing their research at a M.Ed. Conference at the Catholic College of Mandeville (CCM) campus in Jamaica.

Participants will be given the opportunity to explore the fruits of applied inquiry into the use of strategies that support student learning and development. The conference provides an opportunity to deepen participants’ understanding of their practice, explore ways to use classroom-based action research, and to develop instructional habits of mind that improve student learning and promote the well being of all learners.

Anyone who may be interested in more information about the conference or who may wish to attend should contact Suzanne Peterson, Program Director, at Ext. 6615 or at speterso@smumn.edu.

Spring ‘SPLaSH’ tickets now available

The Theatre and Dance Department invites the public to the spring “SPLaSH” series — three one-act student plays directed by students — today, April 1, 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. Friday and Saturday, April 1-2, 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.

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

The musical tradition of Gaslight will be held 8 p.m. Friday, April 8, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the dining room. Tickets are $7 (sold at lunch week of and at the door, same price). Gaslight is put on by the Senior Class of 2011.

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.

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.

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.

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 Ext. 1715.

Student Life Awards to be given out April 7

The Student Life Awards Ceremony will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the Common Room. Faculty and staff are invited.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.

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 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 Wednesday, April 6.

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 today, Friday, April 1.

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.

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.

Last ‘Let’s Do Lunch’ scheduled for April 20

The Volunteer Committee has scheduled the last “Let's Do Lunch” of the academic year is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 in the lobby of the hockey arena. The potluck meal will be hosted by the Athletic Department and proceeds will once again help students at CTIE in Nairobi. Mark your calendars and come and get some good food while donating to a good cause.

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.

Iron Chef results announced

The 3rd annual Iron Chef competition raised $1,000 for Bethlehem University's Gaza Student Initiative scholarship.  The winning student team was Team #6 (Luke Brown, Randy Vette, and Roque Meraz) and the winning faculty team was Team #8 (Jorge García and John Reed). The LCT375A class would like to thank everyone who participated, particularly the 13 teams who prepared some delicious dishes and desserts.  Special thanks to the Chartwells staff and the distinguished judges (Brother Stephen Rusyn, Gary Diomandes and Joe Piscitiello) for their help.

Price honored for paper about fiduciary duty

Dr. Larry Price, assistant professor of business, was honored for his paper, “The Concept of Fiduciary Duty as a Basis for Corporate Ethics,” which has been selected as the Business, Society & Government Consortium Best Paper. The paper was recognized at the BSG Consortium meeting on Wednesday, March 23.
 
As the best paper award winner, it will be published in the Journal of Business, Society & Government.

Kowles presents at WSU

Dr. Dick Kowles, Professor Emeritus in Biology, gave a presentation at Winona State University on March 24. The title of his talk was “Salvage and Transport of DNA: Real Phenomena or Not?” Dr. Kowles discussed the possibility of DNA being increased and stored in one tissue of a plant, maize in this case, and subsequently transported and used in a different tissue. Such events have never been shown and reported in the literature, however, some of the data collected by Dr. Kowles and his students do indicate to some extent that it is a possibility.

Crozier to present paper about ‘The Bowery Irish’

Dr. Bill Crozier, university archivist and adjunct professor of history, is presenting a paper titled “The Bowery Irish 1900-1910” at the international meeting of the American Conference for Irish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison March 30-April 2.

The thrust of the paper is a discussion of ways to include the work and lives of ordinary people into the historical record. Research in the manuscript census has revealed that there were over 400 Irish living on New York City’s lower Bowery (a famous/infamous street only a mile long). The presentation attempts to establish a demographic profile of this group and its place in the Irish diaspora.

May featured in Bluff Country Studio Art Tour

The 11th annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour of Southeast Minnesota will be April 29 through May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.bluffcountrystudioarttour.com.

One of the artists displaying is Monta May, director, website & web development, at her home, 854 W. 5th St. To see May’s work, go www.montgael.blogspot.com.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. will perform 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today Friday, April 1, at Signature’s Restaurant, 22852 County Road 17.

McCullough involved with National Poetry Month

In honor of National Poetry Month, Winona’s Poet Laureate Ken McCullough (Academic Advising, PASS program) will give poetry readings at the Owatonna Public Library April 5 and the Brick House Coffee House in Austin April 8.

McCullough recently judged the state finals of the Poetry Out Loud! competition at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul. The 16 finalists were drawn from 3,600 contestants in 93 schools. McCullough was also involved in judging submissions for the forthcoming SELCO poetry anthology. He has been invited to participate in the International Literary Festival in Lviv, Ukraine, in September.

McCullough also recently had a collection of poems come out with Longhouse Publishers.

Fountain City mayor thanks students for flood relief

The following letter was sent to Campus Ministry by Mayor Jerry Kafer to thank the more than 70 volunteer students who helped with sandbagging efforts this past weekend in Fountain City, Wis.

“I am currently the acting mayor of Fountain City and have been losing more than a little sleep worrying about flood preparations. But on Saturday, when two buses rolled into town with energetic and spirited students, my anxiety decreased significantly. Not only did they swell the ranks of volunteers working on the project, but they worked with incredible intensity. There were times some of us supervisors encouraged the volunteers to break for hydration and donuts/cookies, etc., and they just continued working. It was as if they got into a rhythm and didn’t want to get out of it. Because of their incredible efforts, we were able to conclude sandbagging by early afternoon. This after we anticipated it would certainly take the entire weekend.

“I want so very much for you to know the difference these students made in our little community. They were hard-working, energetic and fun to be around. I’m sure their contributions will be long remembered in these parts. They are indeed a testament to their university. And we thank you and them for all they did to help us out in a time of need.”