SMU hosts sustainability forums

As in past years, Student Life will once again be holding a series of forums this semester on issues related to sustainability. The forums are intended to provide interested students, staff and faculty with the opportunity to learn more about the broad concepts of sustainability, discuss these issues as they relate to our daily lives both on and off campus, and then identify actions that we can all take away to contribute toward a more sustainable future.

The series includes:

• “Sustainability, Leadership & the Human Spirit” — Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

Sustainability is a concept with many potential meanings. To some, it is limited to issues of environmental concern. This forum will explore how we look into a sustainable future by engaging the environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects of sustainability. Finally, we hope to pose the question, “How do we become more fully human?” This forum features Dr. Scott Sorvaag, dean of education.

• “Sustainability & Catholic Higher Education” — Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

How and why should we (as members of a Catholic and Lasallian community) become better stewards of God’s creation and champions for environmental justice? This forum features Chris McClead, co-director of Campus Ministry.

• “Food, Compost and Recycling” — Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m., Damien Commons in Watters Hall

It has been said that “Food goes to the heart of civilization.” Topics for dialogue will include: Food and nutrition security, famine, waste, organic food, composting, fair-trade, “eat local,” community gardens, “foodies,” carbon-free diet, etc. We are what we eat, so come and share your point of view.

• “Water” — Tuesday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Toner Student Center Lounge

If today the issue is oil, then tomorrow the issue will be water. Whether gathered in your reusable container, flowing down the Mississippi River, pumped from the ground, or falling from the sky, water is at the core of all life on earth and we can’t take it for granted anymore. Come and dialogue with us about water!

Flamenco dance highlights next ‘Off the Page’ Series

Experience the excitement and beauty of authentic flamenco dance with Deborah Elias Danza Española Friday, Feb. 3, through Saint Mary’s University’s “Off the Page” Series. The show — which energetically blends together dance, guitar and song — will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Lead dancer Deborah Elias’ rhythmic footwork, graceful arm and hand movements, and hand clapping will be accompanied by the powerful strumming and soulful chords of the guitar to express a wide variety of styles, or palos, from the most serious cante jondo, to the light-hearted cante chico.

This is the third Saint Mary’s “Off The Page” event — a showcase of Minnesota artists featured in venues around town.

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.

Wockenfus, basketball team join forces to fight spina bifida

The Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team is joining with team alumnus Ryan Wockenfus ’11 in a fundraising effort to help fight spina bifida.

On May 19, Wockenfus, a current member of the SMU Admission staff in Winona, will be participating in the upcoming “Tough Mudder,” a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test athletes’ all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

The grueling event will take place in Somerset, Wis., and Wockenfus — whose younger sister, Kaley, was born with spina bifida in 1991 — will be a part of “Team Spina Bifida.”

“This is our chance to support my younger sister, along with all other individuals and families who have been affected by spina bifida,” said Wockenfus, a four-year member of both the SMU men’s basketball and track and field teams.

While Wockenfus will be tackling the “Tough Mudder” — and its underground mud tunnels, fire, ice-water, 12-foot walls and 10,000 volts of electricity — the Cardinal men’s basketball team will be doing its part during their Feb. 4 game against Macalester, beginning at 3 p.m.

The Cardinals will be soliciting pledges based on the Cardinals’ performance against the Scots in the “hustle areas” — offensive rebounds, assists, steals and drawing offensive fouls. (For example, if you pledge 10 cents, and the Cardinals total 11 offensive rebounds, 12 assists and four steals, you would donate $2.70)

For more information, or to make a pledge, contact SMU men’s basketball coaches Todd Landrum (tlandrum@smumn.edu) or Kevin Landrum (klandrum@smumn.edu) or Ryan Wockenfus (rwockenf@smumn.edu). Pledges will also be accepted any time prior to the game on Feb. 4.

The Cardinals’ support of Wockenfus and his cause is the latest in a long line of partnerships for the men’s basketball team. In 2009, SMU teamed up with the Jimmy V Foundation for cancer awareness; in 2010, they joined forces with SMU alum Suzanne Deranek ’83 to help her make her $2,500 goal to participate in athree-day cancer walk; and last year they kicked off the Relay For Life event held on the SMU campus.

Faculty to display diverse art through March 18

Seven faculty members from the Department of Art & Design will exhibit their work through March 18 at SMU’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The show, “Verisimilitude,” includes work by Tony Calabrese, Charlie Campbell, Preston Lawing, Rob McColl, Brother Roderick Robertson, Lisa Truax and John Whelan.

The exhibit — free and open to the public — will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

SMU 10K ski events planned for Jan. 29 and Feb. 19

This year the SMU 10K cross-country ski race will be held twice — on Sunday, Jan. 29, and Sunday, Feb. 19, at Saint Mary’s University.

On both dates, the public is invited to a classic-style citizens’ ski event at 10 a.m., and a skate race will begin at 1 p.m.

Participants can register in competitive or recreational classes.

Both races wind through the beautiful and challenging bluffs and valleys surrounding the Saint Mary’s campus. Tickets are $10 for one race or $20 for both races.

Registration and the finish line will both be near Saint Yon’s Hall, located on the back east portion of campus.

For more information or to receive a registration form, call Gary Borash at Ext. 8740 or e-mail gmbora05@smumn.edu.

Heukeshoven to perform with Kid Chocolate Sunday

One of the rising stars on the New Orleans jazz scene is trumpeter Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown.

Music faculty member A. Eric Heukeshoven, on keyboard, will join an all-star lineup Sunday, Jan. 29, as part of a traditional jazz performance featuring this outstanding young artist.

The performance will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Boot Hill Pub, La Crosse, Wis.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Kidchocolatejazz.

Diversity coffee hours offered Fridays

All students, faculty and staff are invited to a diversity coffee hour Fridays, beginning today, Jan. 27, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Cardinal Club.

Free coffee and engaging discussion will be provided. Come when you can; leave when you must. Learn about others’ perspectives. For more information, contact Jeff Walter at jwalter@smumn.edu. These gatherings are sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Wellness Center.

Next Chat & Chow topic is about going green

The next “Chat, Chow & Web 2.0” event, “Who Wants Yesterday’s Papers?” will be held Friday, Feb. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. in the McEnery Center. These events are hosted by the Fitz, IT and Instructional Technology.

No one in Dr. Scott Sorvaag’s paperless classes needs to worry about a pile-up of yesterday's papers and reports. Sorvaag, dean of the Department of Education, along with some of his students, will talk about how a paperless class works and provide us with a primer for a “greener” classroom.

Lunch is provided. An RSVP to Jason Spartz, jspartz@smumn.edu, is appreciated, but not necessary. Everyone is welcome!

Chili cookoff, jewelry exchange to raise money for CTIE

Just in time for the Super Bowl, enjoy a super bowl of chili during the annual SMU chili cookoff Thursday, Feb. 2, in the Common Room. No beans about it, the Volunteer Committee believes this is a great fundraiser!

Test your award-winning chili in the annual faculty/staff chili cookoff. The competition’s getting hot! Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.

Please let Deb Nahrgang (Ext. 6966 or dnahrgan@smumn.edu) know if you plan to enter the contest, so we can be sure we have enough to go around! More chili-makers are needed! Then, just bring your “unmarked” crockpot to the Common Room by 11 to 11:15 a.m.

Everyone is invited to eat chili between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. You do not need to compete to enjoy!

Additionally, with the overwhelming success of a jewelry exchange a couple of years ago, the SMU community will have another opportunity to buy and recycle some bling this February.

Donate any good, usable jewelry, belts, purses and scarves to the Business Office by Monday, Feb. 6.

Then, come shopping for a good cause. The sale will be held at the first floor of Saint Mary’s Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10.

Proceeds from both events will benefit CTIE in Nairobi. Donations are accepted.

Winterfest volunteers needed

The Intramural Department will kick off WinterFest 2012 Feb. 5-11. Organizers hope to revive the fun and exciting atmosphere of the Winter Carnival of days past.

Faculty and staff are being asked to volunteer to help run each event. The activities that are still available are: tray sled races, human bowling, and the tug-of-war.

Contact Jenna Freudenberg at jfreuden@smumn.edu or Andrea Moore at almoor10@smumn.edu to volunteer or for more information.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. will perform 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Signatures Restaurant.

The John Paulson/Eric Heukeshoven Jazz Duo will perform 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Salem Glen Vineyard, Rochester, Minn.

John Paulson and Larry Price and the Miles Johnston Jazz Quartet will perform 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Oak Center General Store, Lake City, Minn.

On Thursday, Feb. 9, beginning at 5 p.m., Markeise Russell and the SMU Jazz Combo will perform in recognition of Black History Month. Learn about Cannonball Adderly and Charlie Parker. Dr. Paulson will be the director. The event will be held in the Figliulo Recital Hall.

Fireside planned for Feb. 10-11

The Sisters of SAI (SMU’s women’s music fraternity) invites everyone to attend “Fireside,” an annual coffeehouse-style student music performance Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11.

Rodgers’ film to premiere Saturday

A film by SMU alumnus Wade Rodgers, son of Dr. James Rodgers, Political Science, will premiere at the River Film Festival Saturday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. at Winona State University.

“Inertia” is an experimental dance film exploring how the environment affects the way we move. Film and dance have been married through the collaborative artistic vision of Rodgers as director and Heidi Draskoci-Johnson as choreographer. Dancers and crew from Winona, Chicago, Minneapolis and Northampton, Mass., converged in Gary, Ind., for filming in August. The choreographer and dancers, along with Rodgers, are all alums of SMU’s Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts.

To view the trailer, go to www.vimeo.com/strictdiet/inertiatrailer.

Tickets are available at the Frozen River Film Festival Box Office, located at 79 East 3rd St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Tennis team plans fundraiser for young cancer patient Feb. 3

The women’s tennis team will be holding a “Trains for Shay Day” cancer fundraiser during their season-opening match against Winona State Friday, Feb. 3, at the Winona Tennis Center.

Shaymus “Shay” Guinn is the son of former SMU women’s soccer coach Tony Guinn. The 10-year-old has been courageously battling a rare form of bone cancer called Ewings Sarcoma for the past three years. This year, Shaymus was also diagnosed with a form of Leukemia called “ALL.” This form of leukemia was caused by the years of radiation Shaymus has had to undergo.

Shaymus’ 11th birthday is coming up on Feb. 23, and the SMU women’s tennis team is joining forces with Western Illinois University, where Tony Guinn is currently serving as the head women’s soccer coach, to make this the best birthday ever. In recognition of Shaymus’ love for trains, the Cardinals have decorated one of several hundred paper train carts that will be assembled into “the biggest, strongest, most unique train ever made.”

From 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, members of the Cardinals women’s tennis team will be hosting a table during the SMU-WSU match for anyone wishing to contribute monetarily, or to sign SMU’s “Train for Shay.” All proceeds will be given to the Guinn family to help with their mounting hospital costs.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Jeff Halberg, Ext. 8711, or e-mail jhalberg@smumn.edu.