Celebration of Scholarship presentations are all day today

The Celebration of Scholarship — Saint Mary’s annual celebration highlighting the accomplishments of undergraduate students across all academic disciplines — will be held today, Friday, April 11. More than 100 presentations by more than 130 students are planned. The SMU community is invited to view the research and talents of our students.

The event will take place at various locations  and times on campus. Attendees are asked to register in Saint Mary’s Hall, on the first floor, before attending presentations. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. For more information, visit www.smumn.edu/studentscholars.

The day will culminate at 4:45 p.m. with the Honors Convocation in Page Theatre. Students will be recognized for outstanding activity as shown by membership in honor societies, completion of the honors program, and departmental awards. A reception precedes the event at 4 p.m. in the lobby. Everyone is welcome.

De La Salle Week photos

To see a few photos from De La Salle Week, go to www.smumn.edu/photos. If an error message occurs, try using another browser such as Chrome.

Admission Office to host Admitted Student Day

Admitted Student Day is an exceptional way for admitted seniors and their families to explore and experience Saint Mary’s.

This event — planned for Sunday and Monday, April 13-14 — is a chance for potential students to see what Saint Mary’s is about, both in and out of the classroom. It’s an opportunity to spend a night on the Winona campus, eat in the cafeteria and sit in on classes. Special sessions will also be presented about financial aid, the honors program, athletics, career outcomes, the Student Success Center, residence life and the study abroad program.

Families will check in Sunday evening at 5 p.m., attend presentations or classes on Monday and depart at 3 p.m. Please welcome these families during their visit to campus.

This event is just one way the Office of Admission is presenting personalized experiences for potential students. About 200 students and their families attended Scholarship Recognition Day Feb. 22, during which the university recognized the accomplishments of its highest-achieving admitted students.

Benefactor Recognition Dinner is April 12

On Saturday, April 12, Saint Mary’s will honor donors at the annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner, “Celebrating a Tradition of Philanthropy.” This special recognition event for benefactors of Saint Mary’s giving circles and societies is an opportunity to publicly thank donors for their extraordinary generosity and support.

Highlights will include celebration of Mass at Saint Thomas More Chapel, a social hour reception, a dinner program, and entertainment by students of the Department of Theatre and Dance, under the direction of Judy Myers.

Saint Mary’s will also recognize John and Mary Ann (Wera CST’64) Remick with the university’s Heritage Award for Transformational Philanthropy. The Heritage Award recognizes special individuals whose exceptional philanthropy has significantly transformed the university and positioned Saint Mary’s for a second century of excellence in education.

Dance Repertory Company to present 40th anniversary concert April 25-26

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts’ Dance Repertory Company will present a special Spring Dance Concert this year in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the dance division. The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Page Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the box office at Ext. 1715 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For four decades, the Dance Repertory Company (DRC) has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works. This year the DRC presents a production of restaged works from past shows as well as some new works, paying homage to history of the organization and its founder, Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin. The DRC is the pre-professional performance group of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances.
 
The production will feature pieces from numerous genres of dance including hip hop, modern, jazz, tap, ballet, and pointe. Performed by the dancers who currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, Saint Mary’s University, and Winona State University, the 40th anniversary celebration concert showcases their effervescent spirit, vibrant energy, and technical and artistic abilities that continue to inspire audiences year after year. In addition to the production, alumni events are scheduled throughout the weekend to commemorate the history of the organization.

For more information about The Dance Repertory Company and other arts programming at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, or call 453-5500.

M.Ed. conference to draw 330 participants Sunday

“Teaching is a Lifelong Journey” is the thematic focus for the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning’s annual conference at the University Center Sunday, April 13. Approximately 330 learners in the M.Ed. Program and GPDE participants from across the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin will gather at our Twin Cities campus for the day of shared learning.

Participants will be given the opportunity to explore the fruits of applied inquiry into the strategies and practices that support student learning and development. The conference will deepen participants’ understanding of their practice, explore ways to use classroom-based action research, and develop instructional habits of mind that improve student learning and promote the well being of all learners.

For more information, contact Suzanne Peterson, program director, at Ext. 6615 or at speterso@smumn.edu.

SMU hosts interdisciplinary undergraduate conference

On April 25-26, Saint Mary’s will host an interdisciplinary undergraduate conference titled Undergraduates, Inc., that will bring students from North Dakota State, Iowa State, and other regional universities to present their work in academic panels along with Saint Mary’s students. The conference rotates among the North Dakota State campus, Iowa State, and Saint Mary’s.

Students from several disciplines, including English, history, women’s and gender studies, and communication will present at the conference, which will include a plenary speaker presentation that is free and open to the public, Friday, April 25. Dr. Dometa Brothers, assistant professor of English at Iowa State University, will present “Romantic Math and Science: How Literature Influenced Nineteenth Century Thought.”

The event continues Saturday, April 26, with student presentations in interdisciplinary panels, and a lunch buffet with a keynote presentation at noon by Dr. Hiromi Mizuno, associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota. Her talk is titled “The Divine Emperor’s Children and Popular Science Culture in Wartime Japan.”

The cost of attending the Saturday conference (panels and/or keynote/lunch buffet) is $30, and those who intend to attend may contact Dr. Erin Mae Clark (eclark@smumn.edu or Ext. 6643) or Dr. Tycho de Boer (tdeboer@smumn.edu or  Ext. 6995).

SMU choirs to perform spring concert April 12

The Saint Mary’s choirs, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, will present their spring concert Saturday, April 12.

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Wabasha and Vila streets.

The repertoire will feature works by Daniel Pinkham, Herbert Howells and Harry Somers.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the box office, Ext. 1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU volunteers to participate in ‘Spruce Up Winona’ April 12

The Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors are encouraging Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Saint Mary’s student volunteers will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, to help local individuals, groups, churches and organizations in recognition of the ninth annual “Spruce Up Winona Day.”

Let’s Do Lunch to be hosted by athletics April 25

The next Let’s Do Lunch fundraiser will be a tailgate lunch, hosted by the Athletic Department, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the hockey arena lobby. Proceeds will be used for students in Nairobi.

End-of-the-year dinner is May 8

The faculty and staff end-of-the-year dinner will be held Thursday, May 8. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails begin in the dining room at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. RSVP to campus box 30 by Monday, April 28.

Saint Mary’s invites public to Relay for Life April 12-13

The Saint Mary’s Colleges Against Cancer group invites the community to its 2014 Relay for Life — to be held 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Teams comprised of friends, families and co-workers will join together for this fundraising effort, which celebrates people who have battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost, and provides an opportunity to fight back against the disease.

Team members will spend the night walking around SMU’s indoor track from dusk to dawn to represent the 24-hour fight against cancer. Last year more than 150 people participated in the event which raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year’s movie theme is “Strike cancer from the script.”

Activities are planned throughout the night including a silent auction, student performances, a newlywed game, late-night Zumba and a chance to win a Fitbit.

If you are thinking about creating a team; if you would like to come and support the American Cancer Society’s efforts; if you would like to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those you have lost; or if you would like to be recognized as a survivor and have your success celebrated — come to this event. Participants are welcome to stay for as much or as little as their schedules allow.

To sign up, go to www.relayforlife.org/smu. Survivors should contact Lexi Hamilton at amhami11@smumn.edu.

Employee service awards are April 23

The employee service awards and retirement celebrations are nearing. The Winona campus celebration will be on Wednesday, April 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Saint Mary’s Hall Common Room.

Student Life Awards to be given out April 23

The seventh annual Student Life Awards ceremony will be held 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, in the Common Room. Students who have exhibited outstanding leadership and service through co-curricular activities at Saint Mary’s will be recognized. Everyone is welcome.

Heukeshovens, Paulson play roles with FluteFest

“Here’s That Rainy Day” for flute choir, arranged by assistant professor of music A. Eric Heukeshoven, will receive its premiere as part of the Upper Midwest Flute Association’s FluteFest 2014 on Saturday, April 12, at Augsburg College. (For more information, go to http://umfaflutes.org/FluteFest2014.)

Heukeshoven was commissioned to create an arrangement of the well-known jazz standard as part of the daylong celebration featuring guest flutist Jim Walker. Walker has been described as a dynamic soloist, legendary orchestral, and studio musician, celebrated jazz flutist, and an inspiration to countless students worldwide.

Janet Heukeshoven will lead the Upper Midwest Flute Association Flute Orchestra in performance at Saturday’s FluteFest.  The Flute Orchestra is made up of 25 professional flutists including musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, college/university flute faculty members and studio flute teachers. Dr. John Paulson, music faculty emeritus will perform in the orchestra.

Janet Heukeshoven will direct two of Walker’s arrangements, plus other selections by Handel, Eric Heukeshoven and Fauré. The Flute Orchestra includes flutes from the smallest (piccolo) to the largest (contra-bass flute) instruments of the flute family.

The performance will be held in the campus chapel at 3:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.  

SMU in the news

This is just one way SMU is making headlines this week:

• A preview of the Saint Mary’s Hendrickson Forum was in Sunday’s Star Tribune: www.startribune.com/business/254195361.html?page=2&c=y.

News from Nairobi

By James Chege
Librarian
Maryknoll Institute of African Studies
Editor: Father Michael C. Kirwen, Director

Writing intensifies as final day
of the semester approaches

Students at the MIASMU library work on the final draft of their course papers.

As the second semester of the 2013/2014 academic year draws to a close, students are working tirelessly to complete their MIASMU research/integration papers. This is a 17-20 page research-integration paper written on a unique topic relevant to the course chosen by a student and monitored the lecturer by means of an outline submitted after four week and a rough draft submitted  after seven weeks of study.

By this method, the writing is on-going, adjusted and updated through the new information and ideas arising from the lectures and field research.  In this regard it is not a standard academic paper or essay  that would ordinarily be written solely from books and other literature.  In fact, students are encouraged to quote field research data in the text of their papers since it is primary data that cannot be sourced from books.  Furthermore, the paper is pivotal to the MIAS educational method as sharpens the students ability to interrelate the lecture material and the field research data with the intent of uncovering the deeper meanings, the structures relevant to the topics of their papers. The final draft of the paper is handed in on the last day of the semester and counts for 60 percent of the course grade.

The paper on which students  write out their thoughts in a graphic mode is like a mirror of their minds, and they dialogue with it as they search  for the appropriate and insightful words, metaphors and expressions — a process that develops immensely their mental ability to  analyze and comprehend the inner values and ideas underpinning the topics and issues of their papers. This kind of in-depth analysis is what is looked for in evaluation  of students’ papers.

Tristano presents paper at Renaissance society meeting

Richard Tristano, department of History, presented a paper, “In the Guise of History: History and Poetry in Cinquecento Italy,” at the annual meeting of the Renaissance Society of America in New York City.

Saint Mary's students present at the Capitol

Five students headed to the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, April 8, to present the results of their independent research and creative scholarship at the annual Minnesota Private College Scholars at the Capitol event.

The Minnesota Private College Council hosts this event to publicize and celebrate the achievements of just a few of the thousands of students who attend 15 private schools of higher learning in Minnesota, and to share research that may have long-term implications for Minnesotans.

This event showcased current research projects completed by more than 40 undergraduate scholars from Minnesota private colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s students attending this year’s event included:

• Amy Spitzmueller — “Heavy Metal Analysis of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochius) from East Lake Winona”
• Ryan Diak, Amanda Lindholm, Danielle Pues and Rim Woldeslassie — “From Cradle to Grave: Does Mortality Salience Facilitate a Preference for Our Own Attachment Styles?”

Knitting project to wrap Boston Marathon runners

A group of Saint Mary’s knitters are wrapping Boston Marathon runners in warmth and support. Old South Church in Boston asked knitters, crocheters, and weavers to make blue and yellow scarves to wrap each runner in this year’s Boston Marathon.

After last year’s bombing, these runners have not only done physical training, but are overcoming fear and anxiety to run this year.

Beth Seebach (Psychology) put the word out about the idea on Facebook and to other friends. Knitters in La Crosse (primarily from First Congregational Church) and from Saint Mary’s (including Seebach, Ellen Bergler from the Wellness Center and student Allison Wachal) sent 45 blue and yellow scarves to Old South Church in Boston (located at the finish line).

The US Postal Service dedicated an entire truck to delivering the scarves. They are hoping for 35,000 scarves to arrive so each runner will be wrapped in love and prayer.

DeNotto publishes article about street art, graffiti

Mike DeNotto, instruction librarian, had an short article published in “College & Research Libraries News.” The title of the article is “Street Art and Graffiti: Resources for online study.” Here is a link: http://crln.acrl.org/content/75/4/208.full

Joint forum about finance, IT and academics is April 30

A joint forum on finance, IT and academics is planned for 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the Common Room. Come for an informative session on the progress of university initiatives.

Updates will come from Ben Murray, vice president for financial affairs; Scott Cowdrey, CIO; and Dr. Donna Aronson, vice president for academic affairs.

The joint forum will be recorded on Tegrity and available for those who cannot attend.

Celebration of Faculty Scholarship is April 29

The School of Humanities and Sciences is hosting the Celebration of Faculty Scholarship Tuesday, April 29. Invites have been distributed. The event begins at 3:15 p.m. in the President’s Room, with presentations by Rose Beal, Demian Cho, Brooke Lenz and Matthew Rowley at 3:30 p.m. RSVP by April 14 to tpape@smumn.edu.

SMU invited to WSU ‘Sustainable Futures’ retreat

The Winona State University Sustainability Committee will host a faculty and staff retreat as part of the 2014-2015 university theme “Sustainable Futures” from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Winona Arts Center, 228 East Fifth St.

Keynote speaker Nate Hagens, former president of Sanctuary asset management and vice president at the Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers, is a nationally known speaker on resource depletion and biophysical economics.

An informal dinner and facilitated discussion will follow the keynote address.

The retreat is to spur curricular development, foster interdisciplinary projects and encourage a community response to the multiplying crises of the coming decades.

The retreat is open to all faculty and staff of Winona State and Saint Mary’s University.

For more information or to register, contact James Armstrong at JArmstrong@winona.edu.

SMU College Republicans receive award

The Saint Mary’s College Republicans chapter received the Chapter of the Year Award April 5 at the annual Minnesota College Republican Convention in Minneapolis.

The chapter began only two years ago when a small group of students organized for the primary purpose of attending the Conservative Political Action Conference. This year the club experienced tremendous growth, more than doubling in size and increasing its communication with the state board.

Andrew Hasek, Minnesota College Republicans chairman, said, “The Saint Mary’s College Republicans are truly deserving of the award. They have worked extremely hard all year growing their footprint on campus and helping local candidates. I am excited for the prospects the group has moving forward.”

They organized a variety of events this past year including Second Amendment Day. They also conducted weekly meetings and brought in a variety of speakers including gubernatorial and United States Congressional candidates. The club also reached out to the community by attending caucus night. The College Republicans are looking to continue to grow and promote their ideas on campus, along with increasing community outreach and service.

No ‘Campus Notes’ next week

Look ahead on your calendars. Because of Easter break, the next ‘Campus Notes’ edition will be Friday, April 25, and the last edition of the school year will be Friday, May 2. Deadlines for each issue are the prior Wednesdays.