Town hall forums about strategic plan scheduled

As has previously been communicated, the Board of Trustees, at their Oct. 5 meeting, approved Strategic Plan 2017. The plan is currently posted on the SMU website and can be found by accessing the following link: www.smumn.edu/strategicplan.

Brother William invites the SMU community to a town hall meeting to discuss the plan and its implementation. The following meetings are scheduled:

• 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2
Saint Mary’s University Center on the Twin Cities campus (for employees)
• 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5
Toner Student Center Lounge (for employees)
• 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6
Toner Student Center Lounge (for students)
• 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7
Toner Student Center Lounge (for employees)

Forums to discuss education in a global era Nov. 13-14

On Nov. 13 and 14, the Under-Told Stories Project and Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting will host forums on both the Winona and Twin Cities campuses on “Closing the Global Gap: the complex issue of education in a global era.”

In America today, there is worry about a persistent achievement gap in our education system. Whether it is a drive to maintain global competitiveness or a desire to catch up, efforts are underway in many countries to rethink and modernize education. The mastery of reading, writing and math are no longer enough. Students need to think critically, reason, problem solve and communicate effectively in a global economy.

America would seem to be at a significant competitive disadvantage. How can we remove the barriers and allow for creative change? These forums will include a digest of the latest reporting on issues associated with youth education. International journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro will lead a distinguished panel and moderate a discussion with the audience.

Panelists will include:

• Nathalie Applewhite, managing director of the Pulitzer Center (both events)
• Dr. Samuel Yigzaw, principal of Higher Ground Academy in St. Paul (Twin Cities event)
• Dr. Christopher Clarke, vice principal for Academic Affairs, Shortwood Teachers College, Jamaica (Twin Cities event)
• Dr. Efe Agbamu, executive director, English Language Learners, St. Paul Public Schools (Winona event)
• Brother Ed Siderewicz, First-Generation Initiative (Winona event)

The Twin Cities event is planned for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Saint Mary's University Center, and the Winona event is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Figliulo Recital Hall. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.smumn.edu/globalgap.

Fred de Sam Lazaro and Nathalie Applewhite are interested in speaking in classrooms on the Winona campus the afternoon of Nov. 14. If you are interested in having them come and speak, contact Deb Nahrgang at Ext. 6966 or dnahrgan@smumn.edu.

Sarah Gee to provide entertaining look at business

Saint Mary’s will host workshop facilitator, improv actress and alumna Sarah Gee onto campus Thursday, Nov. 1, to discuss “How to Survive and Prepare for the Business World in Today’s Economy.”

Gee, a 1995 graduate, has a unique background — serving as both a senior facilitator of MJ Learning, a full-service management training company, as well as a long-time improv actress with The Second City of Chicago (through which she has worked with Martin Short, Tina Fey and Eric Idle).

She is also the co-author of “Business Improv,” a book that blends experiential learning and the improvisation activities practiced in the world of theatre into a collection of activities designed to get people engaged and help them overcome the many obstacles and barriers that get in the way of creative problem-solving discussions.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in Page Theatre. The presentation, sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Business Office, is free and open to the public.

Veterans Day ceremony planned for Nov. 12

On Nov. 12, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 1 p.m. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘Our Town’ Nov 8-11

Audiences will get a gentle reminder to not take the little things in life for granted as the Theatre and Dance Department presents “Our Town” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and 3 p.m. Nov. 11 in Page Theatre.

Written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Judy Myers, “Our Town” is set in the small town of Grover’s Corners, N.H., in the early 1900s, as told through the eyes of the stage manager. Set in three acts — daily life, love and marriage, death and eternity — the play presents universal ideas about family, love and life that are essentially the same as they were more than 100 years ago.

This work was especially selected by the Department of Theatre and Dance to celebrate the Saint Mary’s University Centennial season.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students to celebrate National Chemistry Week

Many area high school juniors and seniors will perform hands-on chemistry projects during the upcoming Chemistry Night at Saint Mary’s, which will run 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the SMU Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year students solve challenging but fun chemical problems, based on the National Chemistry Week (Oct. 21-27) theme. This year the theme is “Nanotechnology: The Smallest Big Idea in Science,” and the experiments will involve liquid crystals, gold nanoparticles and magnetic fluids.

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the SMU Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of SMU chemistry and biochemistry majors.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams that have the greatest success in solving the chemical problems. Prizes will include SMU scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000.

Eight area schools and approximately 50 students are participating this year.

For more information, contact Dr. Brett Bodsgard at Ext. 6972.

SMU Oldie Moldies to perform at Signatures Nov. 9

Catch dinner and a show with the Oldie Moldie All-Stars Friday, Nov. 9, at Visions Event Center.

Rock along to your favorite ’50s, ’60s and ’70s tunes while you enjoy a menu of house salad, pan-seared Canadian walleye fillet, wild rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, caper tarter sauce, rolls and butter, and chocolate and vanilla ice cream. A chicken or pasta option is available by reservation.

The Oldies are members of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Saint Mary’s. The group consists of 12 talented and engaging singers and band members.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.; the Oldies will perform two sets, one at 6:30 p.m., and a second at 7:45 p.m.

The price for the dinner and show is $33 per person; reservations can be made now through Nov. 7 by calling Signatures at (507) 454-3767. Payment is accepted at time of reservation.

Visions Event Center is located at Signatures Restaurant, 22852 County Road 17 in Pleasant Valley.

Get set to scream at annual Walk of Horror

This year’s Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 16th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26-27 and 30-31 in the SMU bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the SMU baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.

Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding the campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

Head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears. Last year more than 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.

For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

Halloween Fun Night Oct. 29; donations requested

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 12th annual Saint Mary’s Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29.

Donations of individually wrapped candy by the bag and/or financial donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at the Office of Residence Life. It takes a lot of candy to make this event successful and keep 750 trick-or-treaters happy. Financial contributions can be sent to Box. 9.

Young trick-or-treaters will start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life of Saint Mary’s.

Kirk and Lee to present recital Nov. 1

Dr. Ned Kirk and guest pianist, Norman Lee, will present a concerto recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in Figliulo Recital Hall. The program features Lee performing Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 4,” with Kirk playing the orchestral reduction on a second piano; and Kirk performing Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5,” with Lee playing the orchestral reduction. Admission is free and open to the public.

Special Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest is Oct. 31

The reigning costume champions

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween costume now; get your office or department together and vie for the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy. The last costume contest winners, Dr. Roger Peckover and the M.Ed. faculty and staff, aren't going to give it up easily!

The SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let's Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser will raise money for our students in Jamaica.

Staff from the Toner Student Center are sponsoring the lunch from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are welcome! In our continuing efforts to “go green;” attendees are asked to please bring their own cups for water.

Judging will be held at 12:15 p.m. promptly.

It’ll be a frightfully good time; ghoul be glad you came!

Lawing displays new work at galleries through Nov. 4

Preston Lawing, SMU Art and Design faculty member, is displaying new work during the current Saint Mary’s art exhibit.

In “Cabinets of Curiosities,” Lawing is showing sculptures, prints, drawings and an installation/recreation of a “hoarder’s” apartment.

The show will run through Nov. 4 at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. The galleries will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and all exhibits are free and open to the public.

Complimentary tickets available for Blue Angel

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel    2012. This year’s performances are Friday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 and 10 p.m. To receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice, contact Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658, or rfisher@smumn.edu.

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party is Nov. 18

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 10th and Vila streets. Shop the Land of the Sweets Boutique for seasonal and unique gifts and cards. All children attending receive a photo with their favorite character from “The Nutcracker.”

To reserve seats or a full table for six, call 453-5500 or e-mail mca@smumn.edu. Proceeds from this event go to the MCA student scholarship fund and offset production costs for the “Nutcracker” performance.

Jazz notes

There are two chances to hear great jazz performed by former and current music faculty this weekend!

Signatures in Winona features Swing, Inc., “The Best Little Big Band in Town” from 6 to 9 p.m every Friday evening. Dr. John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven are both regulars with the group.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Paulson/Heukeshoven Jazz Duo will be featured at Salem Glen Winery near Rochester  from 2 to 5 p.m.

For details, go to Signature’s website, www.signatureswinona.com/news/items/show/129 or the Salem Glen Winery website www.salemglenvineyard.com/index.php.

Cineclub announces fall films

The Spanish Department announces the first round of dates for the Cineclub for Fall 2012. One of the main objectives of Cineclub is to provide an opportunity for the Saint Mary’s and Winona communities to enjoy some films from Spain and Latin America that may not typically be shown in local theaters.

In addition to viewing the films, participants will be invited to exchange ideas related to film and other forms of cultural expression. Also, the films may serve as an additional opportunity or resource for students of the Hispanic language, literature, and culture.

All showings will all be on Fridays at 3 p.m. in the World Room of the Hendrickson Center.

The next film, to be shown Friday, Nov. 9, is “La Nana (The Maid).” This 2009 film from Chile was directed by Sebastián Silva. In this drama/comedy, a maid tries to hold onto her position after having served a family for 23 years. It has English subtitles.

Oct. 27 is Lasallian Day of Service, Make a Difference Day

Lasallian Day of Service, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, is a day that allows SMU alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission of service to others.

This year volunteer opportunities have been arranged in Chicago; the Twin Cities; Winona; Kansas City, Missouri; and in Denver, Colo.

Alumni are encouraged to organize their own service projects with fellow Saint Mary’s classmates and friends who reside in geographic areas outside these five locations.

In Winona, volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity from 9 a.m. to noon doing construction and painting.

For more information, go to http://mysmumn.org/ldos2012.

This coincides with national Make a Difference Day. Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors is organizing students to work in the community between 9 a.m. and noon.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. For the fifth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

For more information, call Chris McClead at Ext. 7268 or e-mail cmcclead@smumn.edu.

Conservatory’s Fall Music Division Concert is Nov. 16

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct its Fall Music Division Concert 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Figliulo Recital Hall. The concert will showcase the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), two new jazz combos, and a variety of private lesson students.

For more information visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “Like” the Conservatory on Facebook, or call 453-5500. Admission is free-will donation, and all proceeds support the music division.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is a nonprofit arts organization that offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for children age 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Leung speaks, performs at Concordia Language Village

Chun Chim (David) Leung, Music Department, recently presented at an open house at Concordia Language Village in the Twin Cities. He gave a talk on Chinese culture, instruments and played some Chinese folk tunes.

Kowles to present at next biology seminar

Dr. Dick Kowles, professor emeritus in biology, will give the next biology seminar on Thursday, Nov. 1, in Hoffman Hall, Room 112, at 4 p.m. The title of his talk is “Genetics is Everywhere.” The presentation will include examples and explanations supporting the contention made in the title that genetics truly permeates everyday life in many ways.  Discussions will center upon how genetics is involved in creating societal problems on one hand, but also how the discipline can serve as solutions on the other hand, along with applications to many walks of life.

Hockey team honors, helps local Veterans

Partnering with a group of local Marines, the Men’s Hockey Team painted the storage area of the Lake Park Bandshell Saturday, Oct. 13. This letter of thanks was published in local media:

“What best describes Winona is a community of caring and involved citizens engaged via philanthropy and volunteerism via local business, nonprofits, and local government.

“On Saturday, October 13, the Hiawatha Valley Marines experienced this generous giving and support in our effort to restore the Winona Bandshell basement as a potential place for local groups to meet. Thanks to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation headed by Tim Penny, supplies were provided to seal and paint the basement. This support was then implemented via the Winona Community Foundation, the City of Winona’s fine Park Maintenance Department headed by Steve Jasnoch, and the Saint Mary’s University hockey team coached by head coach Bill Moore and his fine assistants Ryan Egan and Alex North. Yes, seventeen (17) Saint Mary’s University hockey players showed up to paint the bandshell basement. Wow!

“Yes we in Winona are most fortunate to see the level of cooperation evident in all community endeavors related to the common good of all ...” — Jim Eddy, Hiawatha Valley Marines

On Friday, Nov. 9, a Veterans Appreciation Day is planned at the 7:30 p.m. men’s hockey game vs. Hamline University. A portion of the proceeds will be used for maintenance and improvements on Veterans Memorial Park in Lake Winona.

Benefit race for Sabrina Bushlack draws more than 600

More than 600 people came out to support  senior volleyball player Sabrina Bushlack Larson by participating in the Strong is the New Beautiful 5K Run/Walk on the SMU campus Sunday afternoon.

Bushlack Larson was in a car accident on July 16 that left her with critical injuries and rising medical costs. This weekend was Bushlack’s first time back to the SMU campus since the accident, and she was greeted with an overwhelming amount of support throughout the weekend.

For more information, go to www.saintmaryssports.com/news/2012/10/21/WVB_1021120318.aspx?path=wvball.

China Town Hall to be conducted Oct. 29

The international programs of Winona State University will present the sixth annual China Town Hall  Monday, Oct. 29, in WSU’s Maxwell Hall, Room 106. Light refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m., and a welcome and introduction will begin at 7 p.m.  Speaking from 7:15 to 8 p.m. is Joseph Borich. His topic is the future of U.S./China relations in the context of the previous century having been the American Century and the recent repositioning of the U.S. as an Asia-Pacific nation in anticipation of the coming century and the opportunities and challenges this presents for the Midwest.

From 8 to 8:45 p.m. will be a live webcast from Washington featuring Gary Locke, U.S. Ambassador for the People’s Republic of China.

China Town Hall is a national day of programming on China involving 50 cities throughout the United States.