Special Centennial Convocation and Mass planned for Aug. 27

The Saint Mary’s community is invited to the University Centennial Convocation and Mass of the Holy Spirit on Monday, Aug. 27.  So that the entire SMU community can participate, there are no classes scheduled and there will be no rehearsals, meetings or athletic practice sessions held during these events.  Colleagues from the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, as well as undergraduate and graduate students from across the university, have been invited to join us for this special Centennial celebration. The schedule for the day is as follows:

10:30 a.m. – Mass of the Holy Spirit, Saint Thomas More Chapel

Noon – Faculty/staff lunch buffet, South Gymnasium

1:45 p.m. – University Centennial Convocation; reception to follow; Gostomski Fieldhouse

Everyone is encouraged you to join in celebrating this important Saint Mary’s University milestone. Some offices must remain open during this time. Staff members should clarify with their respective supervisors whether or not a particular office may be closed during Mass and Centennial Convocation festivities.

SMU improves ranking in Forbes ‘Top Colleges’

Forbes.com’s 2012 list of “America’s Top Colleges” ranks Saint Mary’s as No. 306 out of 650 of “The Best Public and Private Colleges and Universities — from the student's point of view.”

SMU is also listed by Forbes as No. 235 in “Private Colleges,” No. 117 in “Research Universities,” and No. 70 “In the Midwest.” These rankings are significantly higher than last year, when SMU ranked 418 overall, 326 in “Private Colleges,” 139 in “Research Universities” and No. 105 “In the Midwest.”

The annual list of “America's Best Colleges” ranks a select group of more than 650 undergraduate institutions — the top 20% of all undergraduate institutions — based on the quality of the education they provide, the experience of the students, and how much they achieve.

The annual ranking, which is assembled by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity, is based on schools’ performances in five categories: post-graduate success, student satisfaction, debt, four-year graduation rate, and competitive awards, according to Forbes.

Jim Bedtke, vice president for the College, said he is excited to see Saint Mary’s climb the Forbes “Top Colleges” list. “The Forbes listing is especially meaningful to us because it measures students’ satisfaction and opinion,” Bedtke said. “This study reaffirms that our students receive a quality education experience and are successful in their chosen careers. It also reflects that our students are able to graduate within four years and control their college tuition expenses.”

To view the entire list, go to www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list. To view Saint Mary’s page, go to www.forbes.com/colleges/saint-mary-s-university-of-minnesota.

Wells Fargo fund to benefit Saint Mary’s accident victim

Senior Sabrina Larson Bushlack, 21, is slowly recovering after being critically injured in a car accident July 16 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Bushlack was injured after the taxi she was riding in was struck by a car that police said ran a red light.

Bushlack is a biochemistry major and three-year regular for the Cardinal volleyball team.

A fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank to help the Bushlack family with rising medical expenses. Donations may be made to any Wells Fargo Bank (including Wells Fargo at 875 34th Ave., Winona, MN 55987). Please indicate that the donation is for the benefit of Sabrina Bushlack in care of Jeff and Tricia Bushlack.

A “Team Brina: Sabrina’s Biggest Fans” Facebook page has been set up for family and friends to share their thoughts and prayers. More than 1,200 members have joined in support of Bushlack.

Alums join First-Generation students for baseball outing

First-Generation Scholarship students meet with alumni and display Minnie Miñoso's World Series rings.

Cynthia Garcia with Minnie Miñoso

Saint Mary’s First-Generation Scholars were treated to a game July 23 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago between the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins. John ’77 and Joanie CST’78 Domanico  sponsored a skybox for the cultivation event.

Attendees were treated to a special guest appearance by All-Star White Sox player Minnie Miñoso, the first African American in a White Sox jersey.  Miñoso talked about what it was like to play against Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio. Rob ’76 and Kim CST’76 Figliulo joined the group in trying on Miñoso’s World Series rings.

Document shredding provided Aug. 16-17

A mass shredding of documents will be provided on campus again this summer. The dumpster will be behind La Salle Hall Aug. 16-17. Please take your items to be shredded to the dumpster by 2 p.m. Aug. 17.

Root beer float fundraiser is Aug. 16

The Volunteer Committee will host a rootbeer float fundraiser for CTIE from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug 16, in Saint Mary’s Park. Beat the heat with a summer treat and help our Nairobi students!

Watch for SMU float in Goodview Days Parade

As part of our community visibility initiative, SMU will participate in the Goodview Days Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. Watch for a large group of resident assistants who will represent Saint Mary’s and hand out Centennial cardinals!

Nadeau featured on HBC

Eric Lear from Winona’s HBC produced a three-part series about Sports Information Director Donny Nadeau, his degenerative eye disease and his amazing outlook about life. Watch the series at www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2ZXLE-Wxw8.

SMU Page Series seeks designs for sand painting

The Page Series will host the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery Sept. 17-21, including a public performance Sept. 20. During their week-long residency, the Tibetan Monks will create a sand mandala in the Toner Student Center. In this sacred tradition, intricate and artistic designs are created from colored sand and then ritualistically destroyed to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the impermanent nature of material life.

In conjunction with these events, the community is invited to submit design ideas and participate in the construction of a community sand painting. The community will not create a mandala or any attempt at replication of this sacred art. Instead the images in this community sand painting should reflect strongly the local essence of the community and/or landscape. Here are some important elements to consider as you consider the design idea submission:

• The community sand painting will be constructed on a tabletop, similar to the one the monks will use. The design will not exceed 3 feet by 3 feet. Design entries should be on a smaller scale (10 inches by 10 inches is the recommended size). A color picture of the design will be displayed nearby so people would know where to place the appropriate colors. The Page Series will supply the colored sand and volunteers to assist with the process.

• The design should be simple, meaningful and easily recognized by the local community. The design can be a combination of shapes, images and words – but preferably with no intricate details.

• The design should be able to be viewed from all angles, without a defined top and bottom – so everyone who works on it or views it at any angle will still have a good seat.

• Many people will work to bring the design to fruition – young and old, artists with and without experience.

• All design proposals must be submitted in color. Color pencil is preferred, or a medium that does not allow for shading of colors, as this is not possible with the sand. Computer graphic design is acceptable as well.

• By submitting the design for the community sand painting, you agree to release all rights to use this image to the Performance Center at Saint Mary's University solely for the purpose of the community sand painting. Your design may be used in part or entirety in the spirit of collaborative community design.

Design submissions must be submitted to the Performance Center, attention Community Sand Painting Design Committee, by no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7.  Submit your entry electronically to tickets@smumn.edu or drop it off at the Performance Center Box Office between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Fall registration now accepted at Conservatory for the Arts

The new Semester I Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts catalog is now available. Registrations are now being accepted. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for youth (age 3 and older) to adults at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 1164 West 10th St. Offerings run from Sept 10-Nov 17, 2012 and include:

• NEW! Art in Motion Workshops: Drawing a Powerful Still Life — (for those ages 16 and older) Drawings will be exhibited in December during the “Nutcracker” performance in the Ben Miller Lobby of Saint Mary’s University’s Performance Center.

•  Creative Music and Movement — Enroll your child in this class and take Nia class yourself at the same time for only $10!

•  NEW! Jazz Combos with Dave Gudmastad from Cotter High School.

•  Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS) — In addition to learning a wide range of pieces from musical theatre to choral music, this group of young singers will participate in the “Nutcracker” as well as the winter concert!

•  Dance Technique for Boys — For only $10, male students ages 8-12 are invited to enroll in this class, which focuses on the development of dance technique used in classical and contemporary disciplines while increasing flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina.

•  NEW! Advanced Ballet Packages — For those serious about ballet training!

•  Adult Wellness Classes — (Including Nia, Power Piyo, clogging, ballet, and tap and jazz). Parents who have a child enrolled in an MCA class can take an adult wellness class for only $10!

Class days, times, and tuition vary.  Financial need-based scholarships are available. For a brochure and a complete listing, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” us on Facebook, or call Ext. 5500.  Interested students may register online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

MCA announces annual Concert on the Lawn

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct its annual Concert on the Lawn at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, in front of the Valéncia Arts Center. The concert will include performances by students who have taken private lessons, and a fun-filled sing-a-long! Bring a blanket, a chair, a picnic, and your favorite song choice.

For a brochure and a complete listing of programs offered by the Conservatory, go to www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” us on Facebook, or call Ext. 5500.  Interested students may registration online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

Individual tickets for Page Series season on sale Aug. 21

The Accidental Hero

Simone Perrin

The 26th season of the Saint Mary’s Page Series is once again filled with music, dance, theatre, and family-friendly offerings from around the world! You don’t have to travel far for world-class performances. Individual tickets go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. This includes all events for the Page Series, Off the Page events, and SMU music, theatre and dance events.

To order, go online to www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The 2012-2013 Page Series

• Thursday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Tibetan Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery

• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.
“Bunnicula” with TheatreworksUSA

• Friday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Simone Perrin and Dan Chouinard

• Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, 6:30 p.m.
The Accidental Hero

• Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
The Hornheads w/John Paulson’s Big Band Project

• Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, 6:30 p.m.
“The Gruffalo” by Tall Stories

• Saturday, March 16, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Eileen Ivers

‘Off The Page’

“Off The Page” events, feature individually priced events that take place in venues around town. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 21. This year’s “Off the Page” performances take place at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

• Thursday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Vanessa Trouble

• Thursday, March 7, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Alison Scott

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2012 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.

Sympathy to Neville family

Marion J. (Dannen) Neville, mother of Mark Neville, Development, died Sunday, Aug. 5, in Richardson, Texas. She was formerly from DeForest, Wis. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to Mark and his family.

‘Campus Notes’ goes weekly Aug. 24

“Campus Notes” will come out every Friday beginning Friday, Aug. 24. The deadline for each issue is noon the previous Wednesday.