Saint Mary’s moves up in U.S. News ranking

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota continues to move up in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of best colleges and universities.

Saint Mary’s is ranked No. 174 in the National Universities category of the U.S. News Best Colleges 2013 guidebook, moving up three slots from No. 177 in the 2012 guide. The ranking of more than 1,500 schools is available online at www.usnews.com.

“We’re elated that Saint Mary’s is being nationally recognized for its excellent educational experience,” said Brother William. “We’re a top-tier university that is meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of students at every level, from our undergraduate students to our doctoral students.”

U.S. News placed Saint Mary’s in the first tier of the “National Universities” category. This grouping includes schools that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. This is the sixth year Saint Mary’s is ranked in this category.

Taking top honors in the “National Universities” ranking are Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University and Columbia University. Saint Mary’s is one of only three public or private schools in Minnesota in this category.

Along with the “National Universities” category, the other main U.S. News institutional groupings include “National Liberal Arts Colleges,” “Regional Universities,” and “Regional Colleges.”

Centennial Chicago event planned for Sept. 22

On Sept. 22, a signature event is planned to bring together the large community of alumni and friends in the Chicago area. All Saint Mary's and College of Saint Teresa alumni, parents, benefactors, employees and friends are invited to Millennium Park for an evening of food and festivities.

Father Andrew Fabian, professor of philosophy, will be acknowledged for dedicating more than 48 years of service to the university as he will be awarded the President’s Medal for Outstanding Merit during this event. Dr. John Paulson, Eric Heukeshoven, and The Oldie Moldies are also scheduled to perform.

Additional weekend activities include a Cubs game Friday, alumni boat cruises and a special Mass at St. Peter’s Church Saturday.

There is still time to register. Contact the Alumni Office for tickets. For more information, go to www.mysmumn.org/chicago100.

Alumni and student-athletes are honored Sept. 7

Chris Kendall and his family pose after he was inducted into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame.

Kevin Gannon (Roselle, Ill.) and Bailey Edwards (Fond du Lac, Wis.) enjoyed banner years during the 2011-12 academic year, capping off their stellar seasons by being named Saint Mary’s Outstanding Male and Female Athletes during the Cardinal ‘M’ Club Sports Hall of Fame and awards ceremony Friday evening.

Regina Quandt (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Jake Traxler (Le Center, Minn.) meanwhile, were named SMU’s Outstanding Male and Female Scholar Athletes.

Friday’s ceremony also included the induction of three new members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame, as the Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Saint Mary's Alumni Office, welcomed the Class of 2012: Chris Kendall ’79 (baseball), Anne Erickson ’89 (women’s soccer) and Alex Kugel ’99 (men’s soccer).

Along with Friday’s awards ceremony, ‘M’ Club Weekend included a Saturday golf outing,  with more than 100 golfers at Cedar Valley Golf Course for an afternoon of fun and camaraderie. The weekend’s festivities concluded on Sunday, with several teams hosting alumni games.

The Cardinal ‘M’ Club fosters and strengthens relationships between SMU and its alumni, families and friends. Gifts to the Cardinal ‘M’ Club help provide a quality experience for student-athletes. The Cardinal ‘M’ Club has been instrumental in building strong traditions and impacting athletics at Saint Mary’s.

To see photos from the weekend, go to www.smumn.edu/mclub12.

Young Alumni Weekend a great success

Last weekend, Sept. 7-9, nearly 150 young alumni returned to the Winona campus to participate in weekend events. Alumni attended a welcome gathering with Brother William and faculty/staff and enjoyed entertainment from students and  young alumni  on the Plaza. They also challenged themselves on the ropes course and disc golf course, participated in the Cardinal Dash, and more.

The Alumni Office thanks faculty and staff for attending activities throughout the weekend. Young alumni enjoy reconnecting and catching up with their favorite faculty and staff. To view photos from the weekend, go to www.smumn.edu/yaw12.

Speaker to address role of social media in health care

A Gundersen Lutheran Health System representative will discuss the use of social media in health care marketing on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Marna Holley, manager of digital marketing at Gundersen Lutheran, will begin her presentation at 7 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall, located in Saint Mary’s Hall.

Holley, who began her communications career in print journalism, has held a variety of positions at Gundersen Lutheran for more than 20 years, and headed the organization’s social-media operations since they began about two years ago. She’ll discuss some of the ways Gundersen Lutheran has used Facebook, Twitter and other social media, highlighting what’s worked well and what hasn’t been as effective.

Holley’s talk, free and open to the public, is sponsored by Saint Mary’s Mass Communication program. For more information, contact Dr. Steve Schild at Ext. 1753 or sschild@smumn.edu.

Tibetan monks to perform, create sand mandala

Twenty-one photographs from the Tibet Image Bank, London will be on display through Sept. 24 at Saint Mary’s in conjunction with an artist residency by the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery.

The photo show, “Tibet: Magical Land of Spiritual Wonders” will be on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

The Tibetan Monks will create a sand mandala in the galleries, beginning with an opening ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, and ending with a closing ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21. The creation of the mandala will run during gallery hours throughout the week. The public is also invited to participate in a community sand painting during this time.

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.

During the closing ceremony, the public is invited to join the Tibetan Monks in ceremoniously releasing the sand used from the mandala into Gilmore Creek. Events being held in the gallery are free and open to the public.

The Tibetan Monks will also present a public performance Thursday, Sept. 20, in Page Theatre. For more information, go to www.pagetheatre.org. Tickets are available online or at the Page Theatre Box office, Ext. 1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Benefit 5K run/walk to assist Sabrina Larson Bushlack

“Strong is the New Beautiful” a benefit 4K run/walk for SMU senior volleyball player Sabrina Larson Bushlack, is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. The race will start at the Toner Student Center and run through the bluffs of campus.

Bushlack was critically injured in a car accident July 16 and appreciates prayers and financial support as she recovers from a severe brain injury.

A minimum $10 donation will include a T-shirt, and all donations are welcome. Mail donations to Jenna Ness at Campus Box 62; make checks payable to Saint Mary’s University. Registration will be accepted on race day.

Packets can be picked up Friday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in the gym.

STI Leadership 101 series opens Monday

The Saint Teresa Leadership Institute’s  Leadership Workshop Series opens on Monday, Sept. 17. Leadership 101 introduces essential and time-tested qualities necessary for true leadership. Beth Forkner Moe, United Way of Greater Winona, will guide attendees through the practical steps proposed in John Maxwell’s “Leadership 101.” Participants receive a participation certificate for their portfolios. A light dinner is included as part of this 5:30-7 p.m. workshop in Room 132 of Saint Mary’s Hall

Remaining workshops in the series are:

• Oct. 9 5:30 to 7 p.m., Project Management Workshop, 132 Saint Mary’s Hall
• Nov. 6 5:30 to 7 p.m., Ethical Leadership: Enlivening the Spirits of Others, 132 Saint Mary’s Hall
• Jan. 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Creativity for Leaders Workshop 132, Saint Mary’s Hall
• Feb. 12, 5:30 to 7 p.m., TeamWorks Workshop, 132 Saint Mary’s Hall
• March 12,  5:30 to 7 p.m., Spirituality of Leadership Workshop, 132 Saint Mary’s Hall

Jazz notes

Swing, Inc. performs 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday night at Signatures.

Seebach receives Girl Scout volunteer award

Beth Seebach, Psychology Department, was awarded the Volunteer of Excellence award from Girl Scouts of Wisconsin, Badgerland Council on Sept. 8.  The award “recognizes volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through use of the National Program Portfolio, or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the council’s mission delivery to girl and adult members.”

Sympathy to Reed family

John Andrés Puche Reed, 16, son of Dr.  John  (modern/classical languages) and Alicia Reed, died Tuesday, Sept. 11.

An open house gathering will be held for John from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at his home, 633 Clarks Lane. Cards of sympathy can be sent to Campus Box 1478. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Reed family.