‘Guys and Dolls’ on stage Feb. 23-26

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the classic Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” from Feb. 23-26.

The Tony-Award-winning musical, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, was first presented in 1950 and has enjoyed many revivals. It's considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy.

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, "Guys and Dolls" soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a legendary cast of vivid characters: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight missionary out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by a 14-year marriage engagement; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating craps game.

“Guys and Dolls” is directed by Gary Diomandes with music direction by Judy Myers and choreography by Christine Martin. Showtimes in Page Theatre are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 23-25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.

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

Saint Mary’s to host panel discussion on population

National Geographic editor
serves as guest panelist

The public is invited to participate in a discussion of “Population in Perspective: How Will 7 Billion People Change Your Life?” Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13-14, at Saint Mary’s.

This event is sponsored by Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership and UnderTold Stories Project, and part of a collaboration with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, PBS NewsHour and National Geographic.

How will our lives be affected and how can young Americans engage with solutions to the challenge of sustaining a planet that will have 9 billion inhabitants by 2050?

Special guest Dennis Dimick, executive editor on the environment for National Geographic, designed a year-long 2011 National Geographic series called “7 Billion” on global population and its impact. Dimick will join panelists Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the “Undertold Stories Project” and a correspondent for PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; and Dr. David Lynch, chair of the SMU Department of Social Science.

SMU will host two of these critical discussions. The first will be on the Twin Cities campus, Tuesday, March 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Event Center. The second is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in Page Theatre.

The Under-Told Stories Project, produced by and in partnership with Saint Mary’s University, shares stories from some of the world’s most remote locations through PBS NewsHour and other media organizations. The partnership brings de Sam Lazaro to the university’s Minneapolis campus, provides new learning opportunities to Saint Mary’s students, and is intended to raise awareness for the local ramifications of global issues.

For more information, contact Sabrina Kelly at skelly@smumn.edu or (612) 238-4507.

Benefits planned to help wounded alum, veteran

Saint Mary’s is planning two public benefits for alumnus Josh Misiewicz, a Marine veteran who was severely injured this past summer while serving in Afghanistan.

On Feb. 11, the Saint Mary’s men’s hockey team will host an Armed Forces Night in Misiewicz’s honor during their game against Gustavus Adolphus at 7:30 p.m. The Color Guard has been invited to render honors when the National Anthem is played, and all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Misiewicz, who played junior varsity hockey at Saint Mary’s from 2006-2008.

Misiewicz has also been named the recipient of the 12th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, planned for Saturday, March 24. The public will be invited to this formal dance, which features the Johnny Holm Band.

Marine Lance Corporal Misiewicz grew up in La Grange, Ill., where he was a well-known hockey star. He attended Saint Mary’s for two years before pursuing his passion to become a U.S. Marine.

In July, his life changed in a flash: a landmine exploded and he suffered the loss of both legs and two shattered eardrums. He recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, where his positive attitude and enduring spirit served as an example to others.

Misiewicz received the Purple Heart medal this past fall.

Even though the federal government covers Misiewicz's medical expenses, the family is facing many other long-term costs including transportation, home improvements, and a hand-controlled vehicle.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Lance Thompson at Campus Box 1528.

Student researchers present at Scholars at the Capitol Feb. 22

Three students from Saint Mary’s, along with their faculty advisors, will head to the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to present the results of their independent research and creative scholarship at the annual Minnesota Private College Scholars at the Capitol event.

The Minnesota Private College Council hosts this event in an attempt to publicize and celebrate the achievements of just a few of the many thousands of students who attend private schools of higher learning in Minnesota, and to share research that may have long-term implications for Minnesotans.

This event will showcase current research projects completed by approximately 40 undergraduate scholars from Minnesota private colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s students attending this year’s event include:

• Grace Christensen and Paige Jensen, presenting on “The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Glycerol Monolaurate on TPA-Induced Inflammation in Mus Musculus.” Their faculty advisor is Dr. Jeanne Minnerath.

• Alex Braun, presenting on “The Effects of Atrazine on BMP4 Protein Levels in Liver and Serum Isolated From Phasianus Colchisus and Gallus Gallus.” Her faculty advisor is Dr. Debra Martin.

The Minnesota Private College Council represents 17 respected liberal arts colleges and universities with 60,000 students. These institutions award 30 percent of the baccalaureate degrees in the state.

African-American professionals to share their stories

In recognition of Black History Month, African-American professionals from throughout the nation have been invited to share their stories Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Saint Mary’s.

The panel discussion, free and open to the public, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall. These six panelists will share their stories, challenges and victories:

• Duchesne Drew, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Drew is the Star Tribune’s managing editor for operations. He’s the newsroom’s liaison to the circulation, production, marketing and advertising departments.
• Sarah Hoye, CNN
Hoye is an award-winning journalist for CNN. She is currently based in Philadelphia where she covers regional assignments and breaking news.
• Minnesota Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-District 58B)
Rep. Champion has represented portions of downtown and north Minneapolis since he was elected in 2008. He is currently a member of the House’s Civil Justice Committee and Finance Committee.
• Beatrice Tayui, Diamond International Inc. and Lion Aviation Group
Tayui is president and senior managing partner at Lion Aviation Group, Inc., an airline management and turnaround specialist that is focused on the growing African aviation sector. She is also president and CEO of Diamond International, Inc. in Chicago, a privately held domestic and international business strategies company.
• Ebenezer Tayui, M.D., Franciscan St. Margaret Health
Dr. Tayui specializes in cardiac and obstetric anesthesiology in Hammond, Ind.
• Xavier Wilson ’97, Winona State University
Wilson is currently serving as interim assistant director of Housing and Residence Life at WSU.

Refreshments will be served following the discussion and a question-and-answer period.

The event is part of a month-long series of events hosted by the Black Students and Allies at Saint Mary’s. For more information, contact Keotta House at klhous11@smumn.edu or (507) 279-1806.

Other Black History Month events

• Feb. 17 — Friday Night Fish Fry
• Feb. 29 — Karaoke Night

SMU hosts sustainability forums

Student Life will once again hold 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 to contribute toward a more sustainable future.
The series includes:

• “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!

Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor hosts talks

The Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor will offer the second of three talks this semester, “Before Gerbert Met Erbert: A Selective Look at Quelques Petites Choses from ‘Science’ and Religion in the Middle Ages” by Dr. Paul Nienaber SJ, Department of Physics, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, in Room 238, Brother Charles Hall.

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 race cancelled

With little snow in the forecast, the SMU 10K cross-country ski race, planned for Sunday, Feb. 19, has been cancelled.

Diversity coffee hours offered Fridays

All students, faculty and staff are invited to a diversity coffee hour Fridays 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!

Jewelry exchange today to raise money for CTIE

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Volunteer Committee is selling purses, scarves, belts and jewelry at the Saint Mary’s Hall first floor steps from 8 to 11 a.m. today. Leftover items will move to the Business Office. Come shopping for a good cause; all proceeds will be donated to CTIE in Nairobi.

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 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, and 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the door.

Business Office selling Valentines as fundraiser

The Business Office is selling valentines to raise money for Feed My Starving Children. Homemade valentines are available for $2, chocolate pretzels and heart boxes are $1. Browse the selection at the Business Office windows.