H3O jazz trio fundraiser for Misato student ambassadors

The father and sons jazz trio known as “H3O” will be featured at “Jammin’ at the Well” on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wellington’s Pub & Grill (1429 Service Drive). Eric Heukeshoven of the Music Department (piano) is joined by his two sons, Hans ’14 on drums, and Max ’19 on bass.

The H3O Trio began this successful fundraiser for the Winona Area Public Schools Misato Ambassadors program in 2013 when Max Heukeshoven traveled with the group to Winona’s sister city in Japan.

Joining the trio this year is Minnesota Music Hall of Famer Les Fields with his pocket cornet. There is no cover charge for the event and rumor has it that several other well-known jazz musicians might stop by to sit in with the trio. There is no cover charge and donations will be gratefully appreciated.

For more information please contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Alumna featured on ‘Jeopardy’

A Saint Mary’s alumna Mary (Schmolke) Bayer ’01 (theatre), M'04 (MAI) was a participant on “Jeopardy” this week.

Bayer, who currently teaches theatre in Elgin Academy in Illinois, competed on the fourth day of the “teachers tournament” on Thursday afternoon’s show: www.jeopardy.com/minisites/teacherstournament/.

For the story, go to www.smumn.edu/newsblog/6761/alumnas-jeopardy-dream-realized.

Biology news

Clinton Nienhaus '13 (Environmental Biology major) was awarded the 2014 Young Birder Award by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU). The award is presented to someone younger than 25 who has made a significant contribution to birding in Minnesota. Incidentally, another award given by the MOU, the Brother Theodore Voelker Award  for special achievement in field ornithology, is named after a former member of the Saint Mary’s faculty.

Additionally, Dr. Phil Cochran (Biology Department) has just started a term on the board of directors of the National Trout Center in Preston, Minn. One of his priorities will be to increase opportunities for student intern involvement in the activities of the center.

Sympathy to Bassi family

Tara Bassi ’13 died Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the age of 24 after a valiant battle with cancer. Tara graduated from Saint Mary's University with a degree in public relations.

The visitation for Tara will be Friday from 1 to 9 p.m. at Peterson-Bassi Chapels, 6938 W. North Ave., Chicago. The full obituary for Tara can be found at the following link:
http://www.petersonfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2935740&fh_id=12952.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Bassi family.

Cardinal Plunge Feb. 7 to raise money for alumna

Brave souls and warm hearts are invited to join Saint Mary’s University for the sixth annual “Cardinal Plunge” noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Lake Lodge Recreation Center, in coordination with the Winter Carnival Goose Bump Jump.

This year, Cardinal Plunge participants will again be freezin’ for a reason. Proceeds will be given to Juliana Piscitiello, a 2006 Saint Mary’s alumna who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a genetic, auto-immune disease and a chronic progressive form of arthritis which is destroying her spine. Piscitiello, former part-time faculty member at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, has enjoyed ballet since the age of 3 and has assisted with dance choreography on campus. Funds will be used to assist with the expense of her ongoing therapy, much of which is needed to reduce the severity of her painful symptoms. She could also benefit from adaptive equipment.

She is the daughter of Kathy (Ordahl) CST’70 Piscitiello and Tony Piscitiello ’69, senior advancement director at Saint Mary’s.

The cost to plunge is $20 ($15 for the Saint Mary’s community). Registration runs from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and a silent auction will be held inside the lodge between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Future Alumni Committee.

Pre-register online at www.mysmumn.org/plunge2015. For more information, contact Alex Bilski at 507-457-6675 or Conner Ellinghuysen at 507-429-7960.

Cardinal Plunge Feb. 7 to raise money for alumna

Brave souls and warm hearts are invited to join Saint Mary’s University for the sixth annual “Cardinal Plunge” noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Lake Lodge Recreation Center, in coordination with the Winter Carnival Goose Bump Jump.

This year, Cardinal Plunge participants will again be freezin’ for a reason. Proceeds will be given to Juliana Piscitiello, a 2006 Saint Mary’s alumna who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a genetic, auto-immune disease and a chronic progressive form of arthritis which is destroying her spine. Piscitiello, former part-time faculty member at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, has enjoyed ballet since the age of 3 and has assisted with dance choreography on campus. Funds will be used to assist with the expense of her ongoing therapy, much of which is needed to reduce the severity of her painful symptoms. She could also benefit from adaptive equipment.

She is the daughter of Kathy (Ordahl) CST’70 Piscitiello and Tony Piscitiello ’69, senior advancement director at Saint Mary’s.

The cost to plunge is $20 ($15 for the Saint Mary’s community). Registration runs from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and a silent auction will be held inside the lodge between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Future Alumni Committee.

Pre-register online at www.mysmumn.org/plunge2015. For more information, contact Alex Bilski at 507-457-6675 or Conner Ellinghuysen at 507-429-7960.

Winona campus remembers veterans on Nov. 11

Faculty, staff, and students joined Capt. Tim Tyre ’69, retired U.S. Navy (shown above), and Mike Stinson ’69, retired U.S. Navy, for a special Veterans Day ceremony on the Winona Campus on Nov. 11. The ceremony included a remembrance of fallen alumni, as well as a heartfelt thank you to those who have served our country. For more photos, go to www.smumn.edu/veterans2014.

Cardinal Plunge beneficiary is Juliana Piscitiello

The Future Alumni Committee and the Alumni Relations Office have announced  this year’s beneficiary of the Cardinal Plunge. Juliana Piscitiello ‘06 was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a genetic, auto-immune disease and a chronic progressive form of arthritis which is destroying her spine. Piscitiello, former part-time faculty member at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, has enjoyed ballet since the age of 3 and has assisted with dance choreography on campus. Funds will be used to assist with the expense of her ongoing therapy, much of which is needed to reduce the severity of her painful symptoms. She could also benefit from adaptive equipment. Juliana is the daughter of Kathy and Tony Piscitiello, senior advancement director.

The Cardinal Plunge will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at Lake Winona as part of the Winona Winter Carnival. Watch for more information on registration and how to donate for a silent auction.

Veterans Day program planned

On Nov. 11, 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 11 a.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 1969 alumnus and retired  senior Naval Officer Captain Timothy Tyre will speak at the ceremony.

‘Make a Difference Day’ and ‘Lasallian Day of Service’ are Oct. 25

Make a Difference Day

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona residents and nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

The university hopes to get as many students as possible out into the community between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

“Make a Difference Day” is a 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 more information, call Anna Waechter at Ext. 7268 or email awaechte@smumn.edu.

Lasallian Day of Service

Also on Oct. 25, alumni are invited to participate in the sixth-annual Lasallian Day of Service. This is a day that allows alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others. The alumni association has established a volunteer site for the Winona area at a Habitat for Humanity house.

Sites have also been confirmed in the Chicago, Twin Cities, Saint Louis, Milwaukee and Denver areas. Alumni who reside outside these locations have been encouraged to arrange their own service project(s).

For more information go to:  www.mysmumn.org/LDOS14.

Figliulo to speak at Chamber luncheon

The Winona Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Manufacturers & Technology Week Luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Riverport Inn.

The luncheon will also feature keynote speaker Rob Figliulo, former Saint Mary’s trustee and 1976 alumnus, speaking about “Importance of Innovation and Leadership.” Figliulo serves as the CEO of The SPR Companies, a position he has held since 1992.

As part of the week-long Manufacturers and Technology Week celebration, the Winona Area Chamber, in partnership with the Winona Workforce Center will be recognizing a deserving manufacturing business as the recipient of the Minnesota Governor’s Commendation.

Figliulo to speak at Chamber luncheon

The Winona Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Manufacturers & Technology Week Luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Riverport Inn.

The luncheon will also feature keynote speaker Rob Figliulo, former Saint Mary’s trustee and 1976 alumnus, speaking about “Importance of Innovation and Leadership.” Figliulo serves as the CEO of The SPR Companies, a position he has held since 1992.

As part of the week-long Manufacturers and Technology Week celebration, the Winona Area Chamber, in partnership with the Winona Workforce Center will be recognizing a deserving manufacturing business as the recipient of the Minnesota Governor’s Commendation.

Marketing alum returns to speak to PR/Business Club

Pictured from left are: PR/Business Club Vice-President Ashley Bollig, President Jase Pater, Treasurer Kelsey Petron, 2011 alumna Lauren Rothering, and Faculty Adviser Dean Beckman

Saint Mary’s alumna Lauren Rothering visited campus Oct. 2 to speak to the PR/Business Club about her business experiences in Madison, Wis. She is currently marketing community manager for Duluth Trading Co.

Prior to her current job, she was PR and social media coordinator at Stephan and Brady and C. Blohm and Associates. Rothering graduated from Saint Mary’s in 2011 with B.A. degrees in Literature and Public Relations.

Former Saint Mary’s president celebrates 80th Jubilee

Brother I. Basil Rothweiler, FSC, former president of Saint Mary’s, celebrated his 80th Jubilee as a De La Salle Christian Brother in July.

It was just one more in a lengthy list of celebrated accomplishments for a man who dedicated his life to education, leading multiple schools with quiet strength and great character.
Brother Basil became a De La Salle Christian Brother in 1934.

After graduating from Saint Mary’s University (then College) in 1938, he began his teaching career as a Christian Brother at Price College, Amarillo, Texas, and in 1943, he returned to his alma mater as dean of students. He remained at Saint Mary’s until 1947 when he was appointed principal of Price College. Following a three-year term at Price, Brother Basil was named principal at De La Salle High School in Chicago.

He served as president of Saint Mary’s from 1956 to 1963, growing the college both academically and physically throughout his presidential term.

The campus underwent a significant transformation: two new residence halls, Saint Thomas More Chapel, the library, the Christian Brothers faculty residence, the novitiate, and a minor seminary were all constructed under his guidance. Additionally, enrollment nearly doubled from 688 to approximately 1,200 in 1962.

After leaving Saint Mary’s, he served as a Visitor and finance director for the Brothers, and as principal of Cretin High School in St. Paul and DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. He would return to Saint Mary’s once more from 1986-89, working in development. Until recent years, Brother Basil, 97, was a familiar face at Saint Mary’s, particularly during summer Homecoming events. He currently resides in Saint Paul.

Read a story about him in the Catholic Spirit at: http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/brother-basil-rothweiler-celebrating-80-years-ministry.

‘Make a Difference Day’ and ‘Lasallian Day of Service’ are Oct. 25

Pics from last year's Lasallian Day of Service

In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona residents and nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

The university hopes to get as many students as possible out into the community between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

“Make a Difference Day” is a 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 more information, call Anna Waechter at Ext. 7268 or email awaechte@smumn.edu.

Lasallian Day of Service

Also on Oct. 25, alumni are invited to participate in the sixth-annual Lasallian Day of Service. This is a day that allows alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission in service to others.
The alumni association has established a volunteer site for the Winona area at a Winona Habitat for Humanity house.

Sites have also been confirmed in the Chicago, Twin Cities, Saint Louis, Milwaukee and Denver, Colo., areas. Alumni who reside outside these locations have been encouraged to arrange their own service project(s).

For more information go to:  www.mysmumn.org/LDOS14.

Figliulo to speak at Chamber luncheon

The Winona Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Manufacturer's & Technology Week Luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Riverport Inn.

As part of the week-long Manufactures and Technology Week celebration, the Winona Area Chamber, in partnership with the Winona Workforce Center will be recognizing a deserving manufacturing business as the recipient of the Minnesota Governor’s Commendation at the  October 23 Manufacturers and Technology Luncheon.

The luncheon will also feature keynote speaker Rob Figliulo, former Saint Mary’s Trustee and 1976 alumnus, speaking about “Importance of Innovation & Leadership.” Figliulo serves as the CEO of The SPR Companies, a position he has held since 1992. Figliulo was chairman and CEO of SPR Inc. during its tenure as a public company from 1997 to 2002 (Nasdaq: SPRI). He held numerous positions within the company starting out as a software developer and engineer in 1976. He became a branch manager and executive during the dramatic growth and many retooling cycles over the last 38 years in the technology industry.

He served on the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees for 10 years, including two years as Board Chair from 2005 to 2007.

PR/Business Club visits alumni at MPR, Shop HQ

Alumni and students at ShopHQ

Alumni and students at MPR

Saint Mary's alumni hosted members of the Public Relations/Business Club Sept. 25 at ShopHQ and Minnesota Public Radio.

Katelyn Branstrom ’09, Erin Donnelly ’05, and Adam Beck ’07 gave a tour of ShopHQ’s studios ​and offices, and offered students insights to their jobs and career advice.

Lindsay Dickson ’08 and Matt Perkins ’06 gave students a tour of MPR’s studios, newsroom, recording studio and other facilities, while sharing MPR’s philosophies and offering students additional career advice.

The PR/Business Club is open to all students interested in learning more about communications and business. 2014 officers are Jase Pater, president; Ashley Bollig, vice president; Riley Burns, secretary; and Kelsey Petron, treasurer. Dean Beckman, Communication Department chair, is the club’s faculty advisor.

150 return for Young Alumni Weekend

Alumni enjoyed yard games on campus.

Dr. Debra Martin talked with recent alumna Bethany Schmidt.

Nearly 150 graduates from the past decade returned to Winona for Young Alumni Reunion Weekend, Sept. 12-14.

Throughout the weekend, students enjoyed a faculty and staff social, a young alumni gathering at Mulligan’s (featuring music by Adam Stasica ‘07, Development), ropes course activities, disc golfing, an alumni party at Betty Jo’s, and the Cardinal Dash 5K.

The weekend also coincided with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

To see more photos from this event, go to www.smumn.edu/alumniphotos.

Three to be added to Hall of Fame during ‘M’ Club Weekend

The Cardinal ’M‘ Club, in association with the Alumni Association, will induct three members into the Saint Mary’s Sports Hall of Fame during Cardinal ’M‘ Club Weekend Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12-14.

The 2014 Saint Mary’s University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will honor former student-athletes Jennifer (Meyer) Fisher ’01, Kelly (King) Stinson ‘97, and Chris Gogolewski ’94.

The trio will be honored during an awards ceremony on Friday, Sept. 12. Along with the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame class, Friday’s ceremony will also honor Saint Mary’s 2013-14 postseason award-winners, and recognize the 2013-14 Outstanding Male and Female Athletes, and Outstanding Scholar Athletes.

Saint Mary’s to host annual Young Alumni Weekend

Saint Mary’s graduates from the past decade have been invited back to campus for Young Alumni Weekend, Sept. 12-14.

More than 150 alumni are expected to attend the full weekend of events which will include a faculty and staff social, a young alumni gathering at Mulligan’s (featuring music by Adam Stasica ‘07, Development), ropes course activities, disc golfing and the Cardinal Dash 5K. New this year is an alumni party at Betty Jo’s Saturday evening.

The weekend also coincides with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving Saint Mary’s alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

For more information, contact Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu. To read more about this event, or to register, go www.mysmumn.org/yaw14.