Public invited to SMU’s ‘Cardinal Plunge’ Feb. 25

Brave souls and warm hearts are invited to join Saint Mary’s University in the second annual “Cardinal Plunge” Saturday, Feb. 25. 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 Future Alumni Committee Student Emergency Fund, a fund set aside for students in need or in emergency situations. A portion of last year’s proceeds went to the family of Millie Harrison, a freshman at Saint Mary’s who passed away suddenly in April 2011.

The cost to plunge is $10, and all participants will receive a “Cardinal Plunge” T-shirt. This event is sponsored by several organizations at Saint Mary’s including Student Life, the Future Alumni Committee, and Chartwells. Community sponsors include the Winona County Dive and Rescue and the Winona Area Ambulance Service.

Registration begins at noon on-site. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online at www.mysmumn.org/cardinalplunge and pay the day of the plunge. Donations can be made to the Cardinal Plunge Student Emergency Fund, Saint Mary’s University, 700 Terrace Heights #21, Winona, MN 55987.

Refreshments and a light lunch will be available.

For more information, contact Bridget McDonough at (847) 521-3206 or bmmcdo08@smumn.edu.

Multicultural Showcase is Saturday

The annual Multicultural Showcase will feature music and dance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the dining room of the Toner Student Center.

A freewill offering at the door will help Project Fine in Winona.

Food will be provided. Hmong songs, Mexican dance, Irish dance, the Jazz Workshop Combo the World Drum Ensemble — and many others — are scheduled to perform.

Chamber Singers to tour Wisconsin, Illinois, Ontario

The Chamber Singers will perform in Wisconsin, Illinois and the Canadian province of Ontario as part of their 2012 Concert Tour. The 27-voice select ensemble is directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea.

Tour performances will include the following liturgies and concerts:

• St. Mary’s Parish, Appleton, Wis., Sunday, March 4 — Mass 11 a.m., Concert 2 p.m.
• Church of St. John the Divine, North Bay, Ontario, Wednesday, March 7, 8 p.m.
• All Saint’s Kingsway Anglican Church, Toronto, Ontario, Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m.
• Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Aurora, Ill., Sunday, March 11 — Mass 10 a.m., Concert 3 p.m.

All concerts are free and open to the public (with the exception of an admission fee for the North Bay concert), and guests are welcome at the various liturgies. Repertoire will include a cappella works by Marenzio, Duruflé, Bruckner, and Stephen Paulus.

Upon their return, the Chamber Singers will present a free “Homecoming Concert” at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, 7th and Vila streets, Winona, on Thursday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call Dr. O’Shea at Ext. 1598.

‘Duck for President,’ other stories on stage Feb. 29

The Page Series will bring “Duck for President” and other favorite children’s stories to life Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Theatreworks USA will present an all-new musical revue featuring mini-musicals based on the best-selling children’s books “Duck for President,” “Fancy Nancy,” “Pirates Don’t Change Diapers” and more. This is an excellent adventure for families with children in kindergarten through fourth grade.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Read Aloud Day at the library

In cooperation with the Winona Public Library, local celebrities will share their favorite books at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the library’s second floor art room. Bring your family and join the fun of Read Aloud Day. Win a chance at tickets to see the Page Series presentation “Duck for President and Other Stories” on Feb. 29.

Register early for Row, Ride, Run Triathlon

The annual Saint Mary’s “Row, Ride, Run Triathlon” will take place on Saturday, April 28, beginning at 9 a.m. at Lake Lodge in Winona and finishing on SMU’s Winona campus.

About 100 athletes from throughout the Midwest are expected to register for the race.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

Proceeds assist Serving Others United in Love (SOUL), a program of SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry. Through SOUL, students are able to connect with diverse communities by participating in national and international service trips.

Registration before March 16 is $20 per individual or $40 per team. After March 16, the cost is $30 per individual or $60 per team. Teams can be made up of two, three or four members.

Participants must be 10 or older to row or run and 15 or older to bike.

Awards will be presented to top three fastest individuals and the top finishing team.

For more information, visit www.smumn.edu/rowriderun or call Ext. 7268.

‘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.

“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.

GeoSpatial staff kicks off National Park Service project

At the end of January, GeoSpatial Services analysts Andy Nadeau and Kathy Kilkus traveled to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in west Texas to kick off a new collaborative project with the National Park Service.

The two spent a day and a half in meetings with National Park Staff from the park and Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. They created an outline for the park’s Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA). They also toured the park, receiving first-hand knowledge about key natural features, including gypsum dunes, marine fossils, and the well-known El Capitan rock formation. The highlight of the trip was a seven-mile hike into McKittrick Canyon. GSS will be working on the Guadalupe Mountains NRCA through the summer of 2013.

Benefits help wounded alum, veteran

Saint Mary’s raised $1,274 during an Armed Forces Night at the Feb. 11 men’s hockey game for alumnus Josh Misiewicz, a Marine veteran who was severely injured this past summer while serving in Afghanistan.

Misiewicz has also been named the recipient of the 12th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, planned for Saturday, March 24. The public is 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.

Donations to the silent auction, planned for March 22-23, are needed by March 16 and can be picked up or sent to the Student Activities Office, Toner 5, Box #1528.

International Student Open House a success

The International Center Open House, held Tuesday, Feb. 14, included a wide variety of ethnic food, games, cultural displays and presentations. Participants learned about SMU’s international students from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and China. The Center for International Students thanks everyone for attending.

Employee campaign kicks off with Mardi Gras theme

Join the Mardi Gras Kick-Off for the Employee Giving Campaign on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the Common Room, Saint Mary’s Hall. This festive kick-off wouldn’t be complete without jazz tunes, King Cake and coffee. March to the beat as we celebrate the beginning of our Employee Giving Campaign touting the slogan, “One University. One Mission.” Wear your mask and be entered into a door prize drawing!

Student researchers to present at Scholars at the Capitol

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.

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

Today’s Chat & Chow topic is about going green

The next “Chat, Chow & Web 2.0” event, “Who Wants Yesterday’s Papers?” will be held today, 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 raises money for CTIE

The jewelry and accessory sale, hosted by the Volunteer Committee, raised more than $750 for CTIE in Nairobi. Thanks go to everyone who donated, as well as everyone who made purchases!

Charron reappointed to Minnesota State Arts Board

Michael Charron has been reappointed to the Minnesota State Arts Board. Charron is the dean of Saint Mary’s School of the Arts. He was first appointed to the State Arts Board by Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2008, served as chairman from 2009-11, and currently serves as vice chair.

SMU Concert Band members perform in honor band

Five SMU students will perform with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Honor Band. Back row, left: Tyler Ringiesen, Hans Heukeshoven, Matt Kotek. Front row: Mary Gerty, Katie Lieder.

Five select SMU Concert Band members will represent Saint Mary’s in this year’s intercollegiate honor band. After two days of rehearsals, they will perform at 9:15 Saturday morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This ensemble is made up of “the best of the best” from colleges and universities all across the state. The performance is free and open to the public.

There are also four music education majors attending the conference this year, including Jessica Bouska, Katie Kosiek, Marilyn Yennie and Sara Kua. For additional information regarding the annual MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic, go to mmea.org.

Chamber Singers to perform at MMEA Midwinter Clinic

The Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, will perform today, Friday, Feb. 17, for the Midwinter Clinic of the Minnesota Music Educators Association. The Chamber Singers were the only choral group invited to perform at this year’s conference, and will present a 40-minute program at 5:15 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church, 333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis.

The MMEA performance presents a “preview” of repertoire that the Chamber Singers will perform on their upcoming concert tour, March 2-11.

Elevator contest winners announced

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies has announced that Mary Glenski, Freddie Metzger, Will Johnson, Kelsey Brown, and Jaime Carreno-Moran were awarded monetary prizes in the recent Elevator Pitch Competition.

Contestants created an idea for a business or an event and had 90 seconds (the length of an average elevator ride) to convince a panel of judges that the idea was a worthwhile investment. Judges considered the feasibility and creativity of the idea and the enthusiasm and professionalism of the presentation when awarding the prizes.

The Kabara Institute is sponsoring a series of “Business Plan Basics” workshops this month. These workshops will help students construct an entry for the annual Kabara Business Plan Competition later this semester. Watch for details or contact Trevor Hall, director of the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, for more information.

Panel discussion gets front-page coverage

The Winona Daily News featured “Struggles, triumphs: Black professionals share stories, advice at SMU event” in its Thursday, Feb. 16 edition. The story detailed an event hosted Wednesday by the Black Students and Allies at SMU. To read the story, go to www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_098085ca-5863-11e1-9889-0019bb2963f4.html.

Heukeshovens to present at MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic

Dr. Janet and Eric Heukeshoven (Music Department) will be presenting special interest sessions at this year’s Minnesota Music Educator’s Association conference. Eric’s (Friday afternoon) is a music technology session, “Sibelius notation program, iPad use, etc.,” and Janet’s Thursday afternoon session was about flute tone and vibrato teaching and learning pedagogy.

Michener publishes short stories

Dr. Christian Michener’s short story, “The Strongest Thing in the World,” was published in the spring issue of Binghamton University’s literary magazine Harpur Palate. The story recounts the lives of early 20th century Slavic steelworkers in Pittsburgh. In addition, his short story “Afterday” was recently included in the Rattlesnake Valley Sampler, a collection of works from writers in the Upper Mississippi Valley.

Daffodil orders end today

Daffodil orders (and payment) are due today, Friday, Feb. 17. The American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days are the week of March 12 this year, right after the spring break.

For more information, contact Sylvia Pflughoeft, spflugho@smumn.edu, or go to https://docs.google.com/a/smumn.edu/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B0zF_netAe66ZThkZmFjOGQtYmRhMC00NmZkLWI4NDAtMGY0NjQ3ZTQ3YzE5.

Sympathy to Eide, Rademacher families

Rosemary Eide, mother of Diane Kruger (Maintenance Department) died Sunday, Feb. 12. Notes of condolence can be sent to Diane Kruger and Family, 22151 East Burns Valley Rd., Winona, MN 55987 or to Campus Box #39.

Brother Jerome Rademacher, FSC ‘58, Ph.D., died Wednesday, Feb. 15. A visitation has been set for 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in the Toner Student Center Lounge. A funeral Mass will begin at 7 p.m. in the SMU gymnasium, followed by a reception.

A community Facebook page, “In Memory of Brother Jerome,” has been set up at http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-memory-of-Brother-Jerome/354363291250574 for everyone to share personal photos, memories and messages about Brother Jerome.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Eide and Rademacher families and to the Christian Brothers community.