Simply Seniors Day: Classes needed for guest students

Simply Seniors Day is less than two months away and the Office of Admission is busy planning activities. Simply Seniors Day is designed for high school seniors who have been admitted, have applied, or are considering applying to Saint Mary’s. This event is a bit more involved than the Fall Preview Days, as all attendees will spend the night on campus on Sunday, Jan. 18 and spend the day sitting in on classes and attending presentations on Monday, Jan. 19. So here is how faculty may help.

Sunday, Jan. 18: While students eat pizza and bowl with their Saint Mary's overnight hosts, their parents will attend a reception and dinner in the Toner Student Center lounge. The reception will feature as many academic departments as possible for an academic info fair. Please consider hosting a table (from 5:15-6 p.m.) and then joining admission staff for dinner at 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 19: A long list of available classes is needed on Monday at 9:45 and 11:10 a.m. Students will choose which class to attend from as many different disciplines as possible. If you are able to open your class to these students, please respond to Andrea Moore at your earliest convenience (amoore@smumn.edu). The Admission Office thanks faculty and staff for all you do for Saint Mary's.

Fall Preview Day is Nov. 11

Fall Preview Day provides prospective students with an introduction to Saint Mary’s. On Nov. 11, the Office of Admission is inviting visitors to tour the campus, learn about academic departments, and speak with Saint Mary’s staff and students. There are sessions reviewing the college search timeline, applying to Saint Mary’s, and how to access scholarship and financial-aid resources.

Please join the Office of Admission in warmly welcoming these students and families to campus and assisting them with any questions or needs they may have.

Fall Preview Day today draws more than 100 families

Fall Preview Day provides students’ with an introduction to Saint Mary’s in all its fall splendor. Visitors can tour the campus, learn about academic departments, and speak with Saint Mary’s staff and students. There are sessions reviewing the college search timeline, applying to Saint Mary’s, and how to access scholarship and financial-aid resources.

On Oct. 16 we welcomed nearly 40 families for individual visits to the campus.  Today, we anticipate a sizable number of visitors to the campus with 110 families planning to attend our Fall Preview Dy. The Friday program will begin at 9 a.m. in the Page Theatre with a welcome. Prospective students and their families will meet with admission personnel, and learn about various academic programs, and other areas including study abroad, athletics, student success and the ever popular Wow! Winona presentation. They will also have the opportunity to join us for lunch in the dinning hall.

Please take time to engage with our visitors and share your Saint Mary’s stories  as we welcome these families to our campus.

Fall Preview Day for prospective students Oct. 17

Fall Preview Day provides students’ with an introduction to Saint Mary’s in all its fall splendor. Visitors can tour the campus, learn about academic departments, and speak with Saint Mary’s staff and students. There are sessions reviewing the college search timeline, applying to Saint Mary’s, and how to access scholarship and financial-aid resources.

Please join the Office of Admission in warmly welcoming these students and families to campus and assist them with any questions or needs they may have.

NSOR helps incoming students prepare for success

New Student Orientation and Registration (NSOR) is the time for incoming students to register for classes, take placement exams, have ID photos taken, attend the resource fair, and learn more about academic advising, residence life and campus technology.

Also at NSOR, parents are invited to attend informational break-out sessions about athletics, tuition and billing, disability services, career services, health and safety, campus ministry, and the Student Success Center.

Remaining 2014 NSOR dates are:
Friday, August 1
Friday, August 22  (late confirmations, transfers and students coming from a distance — no overnight accommodations for families)

For more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at Ext. 1648. Please make every effort to welcome these students and families and assist them with questions.

Students on campus for Minnesota Private College Week

Saint Mary’s is hosting a number of visitors this week during Minnesota Private College Week. Sessions are being held twice daily on 17 Minnesota college campuses statewide, running from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. and from 2 to 4:15 p.m.

College visits are a great way to get first-hand experience of the campus, not only to see what the buildings look like, but also to get a feel for what it will be like walking to classes, the field-house, the theatre, or the library, having lunch on campus, or hanging out on the plaza with friends, etc. It’s also the perfect opportunity to talk to students, faculty and staff and ask questions about our areas of study, financial aid packages, study abroad programs, and more.

Visits are welcome to Saint Mary’s at any time; for more information about Minnesota Private College Week or to register, go to http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/mpcw.

Minnesota Private College Week nears

Saint Mary’s will host a number of visitors June 23-27 during Minnesota Private College Week. Sessions will be held twice daily on 17 campuses statewide, running from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. and from 2 to 4:15 p.m.

College visits are a great way to get first-hand experience of the campus, not only to see what the buildings look like, but also to get a feel for what it will be like walking to classes, the field-house, the theatre, or the library, having lunch on campus, or hanging out on the plaza with friends, etc. It’s also the perfect opportunity to talk to students, faculty and staff and ask questions about our areas of study, financial aid packages, study abroad programs, and more.

Visits are welcome to Saint Mary’s at any time; for more information about Minnesota Private College Week or to register, go to http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/mpcw.

Admissions to conduct Spring Preview Day for juniors and sophomores

The Admission Office will host Spring Preview Day Friday, May 16, as an introduction to Saint Mary’s for high school juniors and sophomores beginning their college search. Visitors can tour the campus, learn about academic departments, and speak with Saint Mary’s staff and students. Informative sessions will be offered about the college search timeline, applying to Saint Mary’s, and how to access scholarship and financial-aid resources.

A bus is available from the Twin Cities at no cost. Students will be on campus from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please welcome them to the university and help make their visit a memorable one.

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.

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 SMU 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.

Admissions to host Scholarship Recognition Day Saturday

Scholarship Recognition Day, planned for Saturday, Feb. 22, is a special event for De La Salle, Heffron, Presidential, Trustee and Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship recipients and their families. This event, hosted by the Office of Admission, recognizes the accomplishments of the university’s highest-achieving admitted students.

Attendees will take a motor coach tour of Winona; learn more about the honors program, study abroad, financial aid, and other important topics; and enjoy a dinner hosted by Brother William.

Admissions to host Scholarship Recognition Day Feb. 22

Scholarship Recognition Day, planned for Feb. 22, is a special event for De La Salle, Heffron, Presidential, Trustee and Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship recipients and their families. This event, hosted by the Office of Admission, recognizes the accomplishments of the university’s highest-achieving admitted students.

Attendees will take a motor coach tour of Winona; learn more about the honors program, study abroad, financial aid, and other important topics; and enjoy a dinner hosted by Brother William.

Admissions to host prospective students in ‘Simply Seniors’

The Admission Office will host “Simply Seniors” — an event designed for seniors who are admitted, applied or still considering, and their family and friends.

Participants will explore Saint Mary’s, learn about financial aid, spend a night on campus, go to classes and experience life at SMU Sunday and Monday, Jan. 19-20. Please welcome these families to campus. More than 70 families and 150 participants are expected to attend.

Annual Twin Cities reception a success

On Sunday, Oct. 27, the Admission Office hosted a reception at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Bloomington. The event drew 25 students plus many parents. This event could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, coaches, current students, alumni and SMU parents who shared their Sunday to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to our prospective students. Thanks go to the following individuals for their efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches:  Esther Peralez, Steven McGlaun, Michelle Cullen, Alece Newbury, Pat Jackobsen, Bill Moore, Greg Moore, Rob McColl, Jeanne Minnerath, Tom Marpe, Larry Price, Brett Bodsgard, Dean Beckman, Carolyn Ayers, Melissa Luedtke, Sister Genevieve Robinson, Paul Weiner, Janet Heukeshoven, Alyson Kriz, Jayne Wobig and Tammy Vondrasek

Current undergraduate students: Christine Meeds, Moises Hernandez, Saul Hernandez and Megan Collins

Undergraduate alumni: Mike Berg, Erik Qvale, Chris Engesser, Danny Spiess, Mark Zuzek and Alex Conover

Parents of current SMU students: Mark and Janet Zuzek

The positive comments heard from the students and their parents after these events remind us that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

Breast Cancer Silent Auction Dec. 5-6 in Admission

The sixth annual Breast Cancer Silent Auction will be held Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 5-6, in the Office of Admission. the auction ends at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. All proceeds go to Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation.

Suzanne Deranek has participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, 60-mile walk for the past seven years. In addition to walking, she has also crewed a walk for the past five years. Walkers need to raise $2,300 minimum each year to walk. This auction has raised over $14,000 for breast cancer research since it started in 2006.

All donations and winning bids are tax-deductible.

Annual Twin Cities, Chicago receptions successful

The Admission Office reports a record attendance at this year’s annual receptions for both the Twins Cities and Chicago events. The Twin Cities Reception was held on Sunday, Jan. 30, at the Airport Marriot in Bloomington with 106 students and parents attending. The Chicago reception was held on Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Oak Brook Marriott with 59 students and parents attending.

These successful events could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, coaches, current students, alumni and SMU parents who shared their Sundays to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to prospective students. The admission staff would like to thank the following individuals for their supreme efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches —Twin Cities: Tom Mans, Jim Bedtke, Joe Dulak, Dennis Gallagher, Laura Schmidt, Nikki Peters, Bill Moore, Eric Lindquist, Nick Winiecke, Rob McColl, Jeanne Minnerath, Shelly McCallum, Tom Marpe, Jaime Mueller, Rob Gordon, Valerie Edwards-Robeson, Carolyn Ayers, Jan Dimitt-Olson, Edith Galvez, Tycho DeBoer, Dean Beckman, Kevin Dennis, Partick O’Shea, Jay Mutter, Adam Stasica, Steve Bouler, Ken Stenstrup, Jayne Wobig and Tammy Vondrasek. Chicago: Rose Beal, Jim Bedtke, Steve Bouler, Carolyn Bray, Dan Bucknam, Brother Pat Conway, Dennis Gallagher, Edith Galvez, Marc Hartmann, Karen Hemker, Eric Heaukeshoven, Dave Jackson, Matt Klosky, Tricia Klosky, Randy Krainock, Roger Kugel, Mike Lester, Tennie McCabe, Ken McCullough, Larry Price, Lance Thompson, Liz Throop, Lisa Truax, Tammy Vondrasek, Peg Winters and Jayne Wobig.

Current undergraduate students — Twin Cities: Libby Baker, Danny Spiess, Coco Booker, Ryan Menden, Trish Nguyen and John Soucheray. Chicago: Joey Hall, Sarah McDonough, Kyle Garesche and Reid Smithe.

Undergraduate alumni — Twin Cities: Dave Karsnia ’00, Nate Semsch ’04, Megan Mollison ’10 and Sara Sloneker ’06. Chicago: Joe Hettinger ’81 and Mike Flynn ’87.

Parents of current SMU students — Twin Cities: James ’88 and Ann ’86 Menden and John ’74 and Kate M’07 Soucheray. Chicago: Patti McDonough, Jeff Norris ’76, and Joe and Angel Hall.

The positive comments the Admission Office hears from the students and their parents after these events is a reminder that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

High School Challenge season continues Saturday

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge continues with Round 1C 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, in the World Room.

The 2010-11 season marks the 40th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

The following schools will participate: West Salem, Winona Senior High, Onalaska, Holmen, DeSoto, Blair-Taylor, Cotter (White team) and Riceville.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 4 for the Consolation Championship games with Logan (White team), Cotter, Bangor, Weston and Eau Claire Regis (White team). Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return Feb. 19 for the Super Challenge Championship with Logan (Red team), LaCrescent, Lewiston-Altura, Osseo-Fairchild and Eau Claire Regis (Green team).

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at ngerdes@smumn.edu or Ext. 1761.

High School Challenge season continues Saturday

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge continues with Round 1B at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, in the World Room, located in the SMU Hendrickson Center.

The 2010-11 season marks the 40th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

The following schools will participate: Lewiston-Altura, Bangor, Decorah, Weston, Aquinas, Osseo-Fairchild, Seneca, and Eau Claire Regis. Round 1C will be Nov. 20.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 4 for the Consolation Championship games with Logan (White team) and Cotter high schools. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return Feb. 19 for the Super Challenge Championship with Logan (Red team) and LaCrescent high schools.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at ngerdes@smumn.edu or Ext. 1761.

High School Challenge season begins Saturday

Saint Mary’s continues the 39th season of High School Challenge, the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

The competition begins Saturday, Oct. 30, with Round 1A starting at 9 a.m. The following schools will participate: La Crosse Central, La Crosse Logan, Caledonia, Cotter, Youth Initiative, LaCrescent, and North Crawford. Round 1B will be Nov. 13 and Round 1C will be Nov. 20.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 4 for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return Feb. 19 for the Super Challenge Championship.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at ngerdes@smumn.edu or Ext. 1761.

DeFries named director for undergraduate admission

Brandi DeFries, Ed.D., has been named the new director for undergraduate admission on the Winona Campus. She will begin July 19.

DeFries was hired after a national search was conducted. She is currently vice president for enrollment management at Mount Marty College, S.D., serving in that position since 2003. Previously, she was a counselor at Augustana College (S.D.) and then admission counselor, assistant director for admission, and director for admission at MMC before rising to vice president.

She recently completed her coursework on her Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota with an emphasis in Adult & Higher Education.