Patronal Feast Mass is Monday
The Patronal Feast Mass is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, at Saint Thomas More Chapel.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Christmas Light Service, Pre-Finals breakfast Dec. 12
The Christmas Light Service is set for 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, in Saint Thomas More Chapel, followed by the traditional pre-finals breakfast in the dining room.
Typically more than 700 students attend the pre-finals breakfast, which is hosted by the Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells food service. The breakfast is served by faculty and staff from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Aside from the delicious breakfast, Santa will make an appearance, and Christmas caroling is planned.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Dec. 12
The public is invited to join in the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, Dec. 12. Eucharist begins at 12:10 p.m. in Saint Thomas More Chapel. A simple Mass will be celebrated in both English and Spanish, including traditional music and an opportunity to reverence an original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. All are welcome.
Christmas dinner is Dec. 17
The annual faculty and staff Christmas dinner will be Tuesday, Dec. 17. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. in the dining room, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. RSVPs are due to Campus Box 30 by Dec. 11.
Gathering honors seniors
Saint Mary’s listed in national ‘Best Colleges for Veterans’
Saint Mary’s is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Colleges for Veterans.” This listing includes the top-ranked schools in the overall Best Colleges rankings that participate in federal initiatives to help veterans and active service members apply, pay for and complete their degrees.
The new rankings provide data and information on schools that offer federal benefits, including tuition and housing assistance, to veterans and active service members.
Saint Mary’s was ranked No. 44 for veterans in the “National Universities” category – and was the only Minnesota college in that category to be ranked as a “Best College for Veterans.” In total, there were 234 ranked schools across all U.S. News ranking categories: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges.
All of the Best Colleges for Veterans scored well in terms of graduation rate, faculty resources, reputation and other markers of academic quality in the 2014 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges. To qualify for the new rankings, the schools had to be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium.
For more information, go to http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/veterans.
Basketball team invites community to bring toys for Gifts for Winona program
The women’s basketball team is partnering with the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program to collect toys.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the women’s team will play the College of Saint Benedict at 3 p.m. in the SMU gym. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a variety of new toys for girls and boys, which will be wrapped and distributed through Gifts for Winona.
The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, now in its 12th year, helps more than 1,600 people in the Winona area have happier holidays.
Tags still available on giving trees for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona
Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees are still full of tags. This communitywide program is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.
Each tags is labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes. In addition to a tree in Saint Mary’s Hall, trees are located at the three Severson-Sinclair locations, Walmart, the Winona Public Library, the Winona Post, and Security State Bank of Lewiston. Additionally, grocery cards can be purchased for families at both HyVee and Midtown Foods.
The SMU community is invited to take a tag from the Saint Mary’s tree, shop for items on the gift list and return wrapped gifts by Dec. 12 to the Business Office. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $35 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents or the bag of presents.
As the gift distribution is early this year — mid-December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well. The success of this program depends on the generosity of the Winona-area community.
For more information, call the Gifts for Winona line at Ext. 8719. Other community partners that join SMU to help make this program possible are the Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services.
‘Lessons and Carols’ Christmas service is Dec. 7
The beautiful service, held in the majestic Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, features the Saint Mary’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea.
“Lessons and Carols” reflects on the Christmas story through several short readings, hymns and Christmas carols sung by the choirs and audience. Music includes familiar carols and selections by composers from the Renaissance to the present.
The Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels is located at Wabasha and Vila streets in Winona.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Tickets at the door are available by cash or check only.
Concert Band to present ‘Welcome Christmas’
The concert celebrates the rich musical traditions of the season, featuring Gene Milford's “Festival Español,” Johan de Meij’s “Polish Christmas Music,” and H. Robert Reynolds beautiful transcription of “O Magnum Mysterium.” More favorite music of the season will be performed, featuring student conductors Marilyn Yennie (on “The Child and the Kings”) and Katy Kosiek (on “Yuletide Tapestry”).
After the performance all guests and performers are invited to stay for the traditional lobby party Christmas cookie reception, with holiday music provided by band members during the reception.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.
This concert is free to SMU faculty and staff, as well as students (with IDs) arriving 20 minutes before the performance.
For more information, contact Director Dr. Janet Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.
Jazz Ensemble to perform jazzy twist on ‘The Nutcracker’
The jazz musicians of Saint Mary’s will bring a modern classic to town as they perform the amazing Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 6, in SMU’s Page Theatre.
Recorded in 1960 by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, this interpretation takes the classic ballet settings and turns them inside out. Noted jazz educator and historian Gunther Schuller wrote, “There are leaps of high imagination on every page. In Ellington’s ‘Nutcracker,’ they seem to come in just about every measure. I consider this one of the great American scores, and you'll probably never hear it at your local symphony!”
The modern arrangement of Duke Ellington’s original scores includes transcriptions of many of the original solos – most notably those of legendary clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton. Regional woodwind virtuoso David Townsend will be featured as guest clarinetist for this performance.
In addition to the Ellington masterpiece, Jazz Combo 1 will perform two arrangements by SMU jazz director A. Eric Heukeshoven that also take familiar holiday themes and infuse them with a healthy dose of jazz.
Rounding out the evening will be vocal performances of seasonal favorites by SMU students Keotta House and Gabriel Verges.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.
For more information contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.
Chamber Orchestra to perform Dec. 8
The English composer Benjamin Britten was born on Nov. 22, 1913. In celebration of this centenary, this concert will include two of his most famous works, “Simple Symphony for Strings” and “Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings.”
The orchestra is composed of Saint Mary’s students and faculty, along with Winona community members, under the direction of Dr. David Leung. The concert will feature the talents of Dr. Mark Mowry, a tenor from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; and Regina Barbosa, a senior public relations major, on French horn.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday from 10 am. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.
Dance Repertory Company to present fall dance recital
The Dance Repertory Company II, the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts’ youth performing ensemble, will present its fall dance recital 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre, 1164 W. 10th St.
In addition to classes, a large portion of the learning experience for all MCA students is performing. Come support these talented students and choreographers. Dance forms included are tap, jazz, hip hop, and ballet with the second half of the concert highlighting the upper-level students. No reservations are needed; ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students, with children younger than 18 admitted for free.
For more information, e-mail mca@smumn.edu; visit them on Facebook or Twitter or call 453-5500.
Students to share internship experiences in Saturday Psychology symposium
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| Lexi Assimos and Ellie Niedbala |
Recent field internships helped Saint Mary’s seniors Ellie Niedbala and Lexi Assimos focus their potential career paths in psychology. The two have based their Saturday Psychology Symposium presentations around what they learned from these real-life experiences working with local school children, and adults undergoing drug treatment in Illinois.
Their experiences couldn’t have been more different.
Niedbala spent the past semester interning with Winona elementary schools, primarily Washington-Kosciusko. Originally, she said she thought that school psychology was a possible vocation for her, particularly because of her love of children. But after working closely with a school psychologist for several weeks, Niedbala has decided to instead pursue a career in research.
Her internship included assisting with IQ or behavior tests, as well as counseling youth about a variety of issues including self esteem, social skills, bullying, home issues and behavior disorders.
“I really respect that profession,” she said. “And it’s an amazing career, but I decided that I’m really more of an introvert and would rather be involved in research; I love reading and writing.” The Geneva, Ill., native has decided to pursue Ph.D. programs in Social and Personality Psychology to further study how people interact and what makes up their personalities.
Niedbala’s Saturday presentation will focus on human figure drawings done by children who have may have experienced physical and sexual abuse. “I will give indicators of how to spot traumas and how to interpret emotional indicators through their drawings,” she said.
Senior Lexi Assimos of Northbrook, Ill., interned this past summer at Arlington Center for Recovery in Arlington Heights, Ill., an outpatient drug treatment facility.
There, she observed and led group sessions, led education classes and assisted clients as her first experience with applied psychology.
“It was really eye opening and helped me figure out what I am going to do with my life,” she said. “I’ve decided to go into forensics psychology. I have a criminal justice minor, and I would like to combine those two areas of study. I am intrigued with the psychology behind why people do drugs.”
She plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation. “It’s a new field and I’m finding there is a lot of job opportunity. I did a ride along with a Northbrook Police office for class, and it felt comfortable. I belong in this field.”
Assimos’ presentation Saturday is titled “Becoming the drug” and she will examine how external issues can play a role in eventual drug use. She examines a variety of factors including social groups, not having a strong sense of identity, and prior usage by family members.
As Assimos developed a relationship with the clients that she worked with last summer, she discovered that there is no stereotype of drug users. “Everybody has their own story,” she said.
The two have discovered that a degree in psychology can take many different directions. And both would recommend completing hands-on internships before graduation to gain valuable experience, or to solidify (or even change) career paths.
“Even though I decided not to go into counseling, I learned so much working in the real-life situation every day,” Niedbala said.
The annual Psychology Symposium will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the President’s Room. The symposium will feature 11 student presentations on original research projects; an alumni panel where recent graduates will discuss their post-graduate experiences; and a poster session that will highlight the research of the department’s collaborative laboratories.
In the News
Here are just some of the ways SMU is making headlines this week:
• Dr. David Lynch was interviewed Sunday, Nov. 24, by WCCO about President Barack Obama’s ratings decline.
• Dr. Janet Heukeshoven was interviewed on HBC this week about the upcoming music concerts. Her interview is viewable at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSH00fa5ew4&feature
• Eric Heukeshoven was on the Winona Radio morning show Dec. 2 to discuss tonight’s jazz concert.
• SMU volunteers have been on HBC and Winona Radio the past couple of weeks talking about the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program.
• Patrick Reusse (who covers sports at 1500 ESPN and the Minneapolis Star Tribune) just tweeted to his 20,000+ followers @1500ESPN_Reusse, “St. Mary's plays its first MIAC game vs. Bethel on Wed. night in Winona. SM's Jamison Rusthoven is first African-Am to coach MIAC game.”
• Governor Mark Dayton was at the Winona State University campus Wednesday afternoon, answering questions. Students from all three colleges attended. SMU’s Conner Ellinghuysen was quoted in a Channel 6 KAAL TV story. To read the story or check out the video, go to www.kaaltv.com/article/stories/S3235566.shtml?cat=10151.
Truax exhibiting work in St. Paul
Lisa Truax, assistant professor for the Department of Art and Design, has an exhibition at the University of Minnesota Larson Gallery at the St. Paul Student Center. The show runs through Dec. 10 and is a two-person exhibit titled “The World is a Stage: The Natural Web of Artistry.” For more details, go to http://sua.umn.edu/events/arts/current-exhibitions.
All-campus student work on display in art galleries
The All-Campus Undergraduate Art Exhibition is on display in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.
This juried exhibition is always highly anticipated by both students and faculty, as entry is open to all students, not just art and design majors. This year there are more than 75 entries from students majoring in human services, computer science, education, music industry, literature, theatre arts, Spanish, biology, chemistry, English, entrepreneurship, criminal justice, psychology, art studio, business, graphic design and environmental biology.
Professional actors speak to London theatre students
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| Gavin Creel poses with theatre students |
Forrest McClendon, who is starring in “The Scottsboro Boys,” and Gavin Creel, who is one of the two leads in “The Book of Mormon,” came to talk with the London theatre students. Both shared their background, discussed working on Broadway and West End, and gave some great advice on life and life in the theatre.
To see pictures and read more about the SMU theatre study abroad group’s semester in London, go to smumn-london.blogspot.com.
Rodgers presents at political science conference
Dr. Jim Rodgers, Social Science Department, gave the closing presentation to the Minnesota Political Science Conference at St. Cloud State University on Nov. 9 on “African Corruption, Instability and Counterterrorism.” The opening presentation at the conference was given by Saint Mary's alum Shoua Yang, who is currently an assistant professor of political science at St. Cloud. The conference was attended by political scientists from around the state, as well as state and local government officials.
Windley-Daoust publishes article on theology of death
Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust, Theology Department, recently published an article in Homiletic and Pastoral Review titled “The Sign of the Dying Body: How the Theology of the Body Helps Us to Die in Love.” The article is available online at http://bit.ly/18mqcXA.
Mock trial a great success
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| The Honorable Teresa Warner '81 |
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| Being questioned |
The attorneys, who were all SMU students, did an excellent job presenting their cases. Kevin Gannon, Alec Rolain and Denard Covington represented the prosecution, and Matthew Smaron, Miles Dunna and Aide Hernandez represented the defendant in the hotly contested case.
The witnesses were all SMU students from the theatre department who played their roles with such conviction that one truly believed they were the characters in the case. Katie Sapper, Andrew Hanselka, Alex Akers, Gabriel Verges, Julie Frederickson and Allie Kriz made each of their characters come alive.
It was a close case, and after the two juries deliberated (composed entirely of SMU students who were spectators) one jury voted to convict and the other to acquit. A reception capped off what was a very memorable event for all who attended.
The Honorable Teresa Warner was the judge for the Mock Trial. Judge Warner is the Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District (St. Paul area) and a 1981 graduate of Saint Mary’s. In addition to judging the case, Judge Warner took extra time after the case to speak with the student attorneys and other interested students about her take on the case and the legal system generally. She also spoke to business law classes the next day about her experiences as a judge in Minnesota.
Leung, Kirk return from Asia recruiting trip
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The Music Department’s Dr. David Leung and Dr. Ned Kirk have returned from a two-week recruiting trip in Asia. Leung and Kirk visited Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, where they gave recitals, recruited students and presented information sessions and masterclasses. They are already getting students to apply to SMU programs and the 2014 summer string workshop.
Last ‘Campus Notes’ of the year is next week
Look ahead on your calendars. On Dec. 13 the last issue of “Campus Notes” for 2013 will be published. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, Dec. 11. After break, the first issue will come out Jan. 17. The deadline for this issue will be Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Sympathy for Merchlewitz, Schultz families
Bonnie Merchlewitz died Tuesday, Dec. 3. She is the mother-in-law of Ann Merchlewitz (executive vice president), grandmother of Emily Merchlewitz '10 and sister of Bud Paape, who works on the Twin Cities campus.
Funeral services will be today, Friday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home in Winona and on Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus.
Ann Schultz, mother of Mary Schultz (Institutional Research), died Wednesday, Dec. 4.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Winona. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday.
The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Schultz and Merchlewitz families.
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