Saint Mary's to host veterans roundtable discussion Aug. 26

Saint Mary’s University and Sen. Amy Klobuchar are inviting federal and state veterans affairs leaders and higher education leaders for a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities for veterans returning to Minnesota.

The special focus of a guest panel will be to help veterans achieve their education and workforce skills development goals; a discussion will focus on what policy changes can be enacted to improve their ability to receive post-military service education.

The roundtable is Monday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the University Center on the Twin Cities campus.

Panelists will include:
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
• Commissioner Larry Shellito, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• Carin Anderson, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education liaison
• Captain Aaron Oelschlager, Minnesota National Guard
• Alison Block, director of student services at Saint Mary's
• Gina Sobania, military education academic credit director at MnSCU
• Julie Selander, director of OneStop at the University of Minnesota
• Jacqueline Mahon, Saint Mary's student and Minnesota Air National Guard member

Following the roundtable discussion, the audience will participate in table discussions to provide insights and develop recommendations for policy changes that can enhance veterans’ access to and success in higher education.

The event is free and open to legislators, veterans affairs personnel, veterans, higher education audiences, and Saint Mary's University community members.

To register or for more information, visit http://veteransroundtable.eventbrite.com.

Welcome back students and faculty!

The school year is upon us; student and parent check-in is 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. The President’s Welcome begins at 1 p.m. in the gymnasium, and a full weekend of events are planned. For more information, go to smumn.edu/welcomeweek.

Thanks to State Fair volunteers

Thanks to those who volunteered to staff the Saint Mary’s booth at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 22 - Sept. 2 in St. Paul. The event is a great opportunity to connect with potential students and families, as well as alumni.

Saint Mary’s wins award in Goodview Days Parade

As part of our community visibility efforts, SMU participated in the Goodview Days Parade Sunday, Aug. 18. Thanks in no small part to the large number of resident assistants who participated — and their high energy — Saint Mary’s took home the “Committee Award” plaque from the parade.

Ice cream social raises money for Nairobi

The Volunteer Committee thanks everyone who attended last week’s ice cream social. A total of $233 was raised and will be given to Christ the Teacher Institute in Nairobi.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here is one way Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• Donna Aronson, vice president of Academic Affairs, did a morning radio interview on Winona Radio Aug. 20. Dr. Aronson spoke about academic news as well as campus happenings.

• One of our students just completed a minorities-in-law pre-law session this summer. Manire Vaughn is a double major in Human Services and Criminal Justice You can read a brief story about the program at bit.ly/176HHwV.

Saint Mary’s Ragnar team has smurfing good time

The SMUrfs gathered for a photo. Not pictured is Peggy Johnson.

Saint Mary's faculty and staff members were part of a team that completed the 2013 Great River Ragnar relay race Aug. 16-17. The SMUrfs (SMU Running Fools) donned blue and white Smurf costumes on the 203-mile trek from Winona to Minneapolis, via Wisconsin and Stillwater, Minn.

Each participant ran three legs of the journey, averaging 15-20 miles per runner. Saint Mary's team members included Dorothy Diehl, Randy Krainock, Rob Gordon, Steve Pattee, Trisha Karr, Dean Beckman and SMU alumnae Kelly Momsen. Peggy Johnson and John Schollmeier drove the support vehicles. Non-SMU runners on the team included Diehl’s daughter Erin Buchanan, Phil Cochran’s wife Michelle,  Pattee’s wife Deb, along with Megan O'Connell and Kathryn Stangstalien.

The SMUrfs won first place for best team name among more than 300 entries. All of the “Running Fools” reported having a Smurfing good time!

Be aware of mail delays

Recent changes with the U.S. Postal Service have created a delay in mail service. Mail that is sent through Winona Central Services is picked up promptly at 1 p.m. daily (Monday through Friday), but is not postmarked until the next day. Mail delivery is now taking three or more days to get to the Twin Cities. Express Mail will not be guaranteed for overnight delivery unless you take it to the post office by 2 p.m.

SMU Concert Band invites area musicians to join

Area musicians who love band music are invited to the Saint Mary’s Concert Band’s first rehearsal of the season on Monday, Aug. 26, from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The Concert Band was founded in 1990 as a college-community partnership ensemble and is directed by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, professor of music and music education.

Rehearsals are held in Saint Yon’s Hall (Room 158). All interested musicians are welcome to attend the first sight-reading informational rehearsal of the season. Advanced high school students, students from Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical who were active in their high school bands, and experienced adult community musicians are welcome to join the SMU collegiate members for an exciting season. The band performs a wide variety of repertoire that includes a world-premiere performance this fall of a composition titled “Katanya,” composed by Larry Bitensky. The new piece was composed for the SMU band through the Kaplan Foundation Commissioning Project.  This delightful new work is for narrator and concert band, and brings us a traditional Jewish folk tale through words and music.

Placement auditions will be individually scheduled; audition music will be given to all players on Aug. 26. If you are interested in the ensemble but cannot attend the initial “info-rehearsal,” please contact Dr. Heukeshoven to make other arrangements. The Concert Band rehearses 6:45 to 8 p.m. Mondays, and 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The band’s first performance this year will be the annual Family Weekend Concert (shared with the SMU choirs) on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Detailed information regarding band membership and the auditions (held Aug. 28-31) will be available at the first rehearsal. There is a place for you in the band; contact Dr. Heukeshoven at Ext. 1675 or email at jheukesh@smumn.edu for additional information and to reserve a spot for you at the first rehearsal. If you leave a message, please specify which instrument you play, as well as your full name and contact information.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts news

Open house Sept. 4

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will be conducting its fall registration open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St.

MCA offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for youth ages 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center.

Register early for:

• New art division classes including “Architecture for Kids” and “Drawing 101.”
• Dance programming in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip hop and tap with new course divisions.
• Private music lessons with talented teaching artists.
• New partner workshops with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and Great River Shakespeare Festival.
• Advanced training for those serious about dance with an additional Ballet V/VI/VII class.
• New adult wellness classes including folk music workshops, “Intro to Guitar,” “Self Portrait Workshop,” and “Belly Dancing for Beginners.”

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” them on Facebook, or call (507) 453-5500. Interested students may register online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

DRC II auditions Sept. 5

Auditions for the Dance Repertory Company II will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St.

The DRC II will present a winter dance concert Dec. 6-7 at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre. Roles are available for beginning- and intermediate-level dance students ages 5 to 13. Auditions are free and open to the public. DRC II members are required to enroll in at least one dance class at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. A $50 performance fee is required. For more information, contact MCA Director of Dance Tammy Schmidt at tschmidt@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

‘Campus Notes’ goes weekly

The faculty/staff newsletter will now resume its weekly Friday edition. Deadlines are noon Wednesdays. Send information to dnahrgan@smumn.edu.

Death notice for Brother Ed Everett

Brother Ed Everett (formerly known as Brother Dominic Edward Everett), died Wednesday, Aug. 21, in Winona.

Brother Edward was 84, and had been a Christian Brothers for 67 years. Brother Ed graduated from Saint Mary's with a B.A. in 1950, and a M.A.T. in 1955.

He taught at Saint Mary's from 1987-88, and returned to Winona in 2000. Brother Ed was a strong supporter of the arts, and faithfully present at performances and productions both at the university and in the Winona community.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m. in the St. Thomas More Chapel, preceded by visitation at 4 p.m.

Condolences may be directed to the Christian Brothers Community, c/o Brother Francis Carr, at Campus Box 24.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to Brother Ed and his family.