Support Saint Mary’s at Give to the Max Day Nov. 13

What if you could turn a $10 donation into an additional $1,000 donation for Saint Mary’s?

Participate Nov. 13 in Give to the Max Day, and you could help make that happen! Make your donation on GiveMN.org and help the Office of Development and Alumni Relations continue to change lives here at the university.

On Nov. 13, every gift made on GiveMN.org will be entered into an hourly drawing for a $1,000 GiveMN Golden Ticket to be awarded to a Minnesota school. That adds up to 24 opportunities for you to help us receive an extra $1,000!

Here’s the really exciting part: At the end of Give to the Max Day, one donation made on GiveMN.org will be randomly selected to receive a $10,000 Super-Sized GiveMN Golden Ticket just for schools.

The more gifts the university generates on GiveMN.org on Nov. 13, the more our chances increase to receive that additional $10,000 donation. Imagine what we could do with $10,000!

The goal is to raise $42,014, and you can help the university reach it!
For more information and prize incentives go to: www.mysmumn.org/givetomax14.

Be sure to mark your calendar and make your gift on Nov. 13 by visiting GiveMN.org and searching for Saint Mary’s. Or schedule your gift today at https://givemn.org/organization/Saint-Marys-University-Of-Minnesota.

Show your Cardinal Pride and Give to the Max!

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.

Employee Giving Campaign ends April 2

The 2014 One University One Mission Community Campaign will end April 2.

The Office of Development is trying to beat last year’s record by raising $82,000 with 62 percent of employees participating.

Each year employees demonstrate a remarkable spirit of community by participating in the Employee Giving campaign. Every investment, whatever the amount, blesses a life in a very significant way.

Complete the online giving form at http://www.smumn.edu/employeegiftform or request a paper form by e-mailing apengra@smumn.edu.

Employee Giving Campaign ends April 2

The 2014 One University One Mission Community Campaign will end April 2.

The Office of Development is trying to beat last year’s record by raising $82,000 with 62 percent of employees participating.

Each year employees demonstrate a remarkable spirit of community by participating in the Employee Giving campaign. Every investment, whatever the amount, blesses a life in a very significant way. Giving is easy:

A. Decide on an amount you’re comfortable with. To see what your gift was last year, log into Webtools and click “payroll data.”

B. Decide who receives the benefit: Is it the Saint Mary’s Fund, faculty/staff scholarship, or something else?

C.  Complete the online giving form at http://www.smumn.edu/employeegiftform or request a paper form by e-mailing apengra@smumn.edu.

Employee Giving Campaign kicks off

The 2014 One University One Mission Community Campaign kicked off with a bang and will end April 2.

The Office of Development is trying to beat last year’s record by raising $82,000 with 62 percent of employees participating.

Each year employees demonstrate a remarkable spirit of community by participating in the Employee Giving campaign. Every investment, whatever the amount, blesses a life in a very significant way.

Giving is easy:

A. Decide on an amount you’re comfortable with. To see what your gift was last year, log into Webtools and click “payroll data.”

B. Decide who receives the benefit: Is it the Saint Mary’s Fund, faculty/staff scholarship, or something else?

C.  Complete the online giving form at http://www.smumn.edu/employeegiftform or request a paper form by e-mailing apengra@smumn.edu.

Give by the end of today, March 14, and get entered to win a popcorn cart with all the supplies for your department for a day. You’ll also be registered for the drawing for an extra day off. Receive an extra entry by increasing your gift or making a new gift.

Support SMU during ‘Give to the Max Day’

Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise millions of dollars for thousands of nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 14.

Last year during Give to the Max Day, Saint Mary’s University finished fifth in the state, raising $68,561 with 318 gifts.

Help Saint Mary’s in the “Race for 1st Place” as it competes against other Minnesota colleges and universities to win prizes.

First place (the group or organization raising the most money) takes home an extra $10,000. The top 10 place finishers get an added bonus.

Additionally, 24 “Golden Tickets” ($1,000 prizes) will be given randomly every hour. One “Golden Ticket” worth $10,000 will be given at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Schools that raise the most money during each of the five power hours will also win a bonus $1,000 prize grant. Make gifts during 2 to 2:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 p.m., 6 to 6:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m. to help SMU’s odds.

Go online anytime to giveMN.org to schedule your gift for Nov. 14. Your gift can be broken into smaller amounts to increase Saint Mary’s chances of winning extra prizes.

Be a part of the excitement (and the competition). Show your Cardinal pride by making a gift on Nov. 14!

Support SMU during ‘Give to the Max Day’

Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise millions of dollars for thousands of nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – from midnight through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 14.

Last year during Give to the Max Day, Saint Mary’s University finished fifth in the state, raising $68,561 with 318 gifts.

Help Saint Mary’s in the “Race for 1st Place” as it competes against other Minnesota colleges and universities to win prizes.

First place (the group or organization raising the most money) takes home an extra $10,000. The top 10 place finishers get an added bonus.

Additionally, 24 “Golden Tickets” ($1,000 prizes) will be given randomly every hour. One “Golden Ticket” worth $10,000 will be given at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Schools that raise the most money during each of the five power hours will also win a bonus $1,000 prize grant. Make gifts during 2 to 2:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 p.m., 6 to 6:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m. to help SMU’s odds.

Go online anytime to giveMN.org to schedule your gift for Nov. 14. Your gift can be broken into smaller amounts to increase Saint Mary’s chances of winning extra prizes.

Be a part of the excitement (and the competition). Show your Cardinal pride by making a gift on Nov. 14!

Employee giving campaign celebration April 30

Employees are invited to celebrate another successful employee giving campaign on Tuesday, April 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Common Room.

Attendees will receive one last entry into the drawing for the campaign prizes. Prizes include an autographed Percy Harvin photo, an autographed Jim Kleinsasser minifootball, wine basket with Sullivan’s gift card, $50 Mangos gift card, and a pair of gala tickets.

The grand prize of one additional day off will be drawn on May 8.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Employee giving campaign celebration date announced

Employees are invited to celebrate another successful employee giving campaign on Tuesday, April 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Saint Mary’s Common Room.

Attendees will receive one last entry into the drawing for the campaign prizes.

Prizes include an autographed Percy Harvin photo, an autographed Jim Kleinsasser minifootball, wine basket with Sullivan’s gift card, $50 Mangos gift card, and a pair of gala tickets.

The grand prize of one additional day off will be drawn on May 8.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Today (Friday) is the last day of the campaign; if you would like your gift to be included, please make a gift online at www.smumn.edu/employeegiftform or return your employee giving packet to the Development Office at Box 21. Call Andrea Pengra at Ext. 1791 for more information.

Senior class challenges employees on giving campaign

A challenge has been issued.

This year’s 2013 senior class is challenging university employees to meet (or beat) the fundraising goal of 60 percent participation.

This year’s senior class is raising funds for a special campus landscaping project. Senior class gift co-chairs Shannon Nelson and Brian Thomas have also set a 60 percent participation goal for their classmates.

It’s a friendly competition between employees and students — encouraging both to meet their participation goals.

Although the employee campaign has a huge lead (with 50 percent participation), the students are determined to have a come-from-behind win!

If you haven’t made a gift, now is the time.

In the faculty/staff campaign, currently a total of $70,284 (with 50 percent participation) has been raised. Just 40 more people are needed to step up and say, “I believe in Saint Mary’s!” Will you be one of the next people to make a difference?

Thank you to all those who have already made a gift. Your gift is helping make a difference to students and to the SMU community.

Every gift — regardless of size — makes a difference to our students. Please think about what is important to you and designate your gift to an area you especially care about.

Make a gift online at www.smumn.edu/employeegiftform or return your employee giving packet to the Development Office at Box. 21. Call Andrea Pengra at Ext. 1791 for more information.

Employee Giving Campaign kicking off March 18

It’s time to celebrate another year of giving and to celebrate Saint Mary’s employees. The Employee Giving Campaign will kick off with a little fellowship and fun and a little Spirit of the Irish.

Join the St. Patty’s Party Kick-off Monday, March 18, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Common Room. Two sessions are available. Please come to the session that fits your schedule the best.

Session I — Social time, 3:30 p.m.; presentation, 3:50 p.m.

Session II — Social time, 4 p.m.; presentation, 4:15 p.m.

Light refreshments will be provided. New this year: watch your inbox for fun weekly trivia about Saint Mary’s. Get extra entries into the grand prize drawing for playing trivia, attending the kick-off and making a gift. Prizes include an extra day off, gala tickets, an autographed Percy Harvin photo, and a wine basket, just to name a few.

When you make a gift to the Saint Mary’s Fund, you join other alumni, parents, friends, students, faculty and staff who support virtually everything that happens on our campuses. Annual fund gifts have an immediate impact for our learners.

Last year through your efforts we had 274 of our colleagues raise $74,700. One of the most notable accomplishments was increasing payroll deduction enrollment by 84 percent. This is a true testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff.

Sympathy to Sweeney family

Mary Sweeney, mother of Joe Sweeney, Development, died Sunday, Jan. 20. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today, Friday, Jan. 25, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Farley, Iowa. Mary was the mother and mother-in-law of Joe ’81 (Stacey Sanborn ’82) Sweeney, Patricia (Sweeney ’94) and Tom Battis ’94, and grandmother of Kevin Sweeney ’10. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Sweeney family.

Support SMU during ‘Give to the Max Day’

Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise millions of dollars for thousands of nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – from midnight Nov. 15 through midnight Nov. 16.

Last year during Give to the Max Day, Saint Mary’s University raised a record $48,275 from 287 donors, nearly tripling dollars raised the previous year. The goal in 2012 is to increase both giving and participation resulting in $200,000 and 387 donors.

Help Saint Mary’s in the “Race for 1st Place” as we compete against other Minnesota colleges and universities to win $12,500.

Be a part of the excitement (and the competition). Show your Cardinal pride by making a gift on Nov. 15!

Benefactor Recognition Dinner to honor philanthropic partners

On Saturday, April 14, the university will honor its philanthropic partners at the annual Benefactor Recognition reception and dinner to be held on the Winona campus. The event, by invitation only, celebrates the generosity shown to Saint Mary’s and provides an opportunity for student and benefactor interaction. This year’s theme, “Celebrating a Century of Philanthropy,” was chosen in commemoration of the launch of Saint Mary’s yearlong Centennial celebration.

Betty Kabara and the late Jon Kabara ’48 will be honored with the first SMU Heritage Award for their transformational giving to the university.

The ever-popular Oldie Moldies will provide the evening’s entertainment. For more information, contact Vickie Cada, Ext. 7000, or vcada@smumn.edu.

Employee Giving Campaign a success

Getting together at the Home Run celebration

“Thank you to everyone for making this year’s Employee Giving Campaign a success. We achieved 57 percent participation within our community, raising $74,700. This is a great testament to the dedication of our colleagues here at Saint Mary’s! In addition, we experienced an 84 percent increase in the number of colleagues enrolling in payroll deduction with 24 percent of those already enrolled, increasing their payroll deduction. To top it off, 66 colleagues were encouraged to become new donors over last year.

“Thank you to the following Employee Giving Campaign volunteers on the Winona campus: Sarah Bearbower (IT), Erin Mae Clark (Humanities), Jessica de La Rosa (Admissions), Gary Diomandes (Theater), Brendan Dolan (Residence Life), Barry Drazkowski (GIS), Paul Fox (Maintenance), Melissa Gordon (Academic Services), Tim Gossen (Student Life), Laurie Haase (Business Office), Todd Iverson (Mathematics and the Faculty Scholarship Committee), Derek Jackson (Business), David Jackson (Education), Jackie Killian (Business Office), Josh Lallaman (Sciences), Neil Leibundguth (Admissions), Bill Moore (Athletics), Laura Oanes (Library), Roger Peckover (M.A. Education), Joy Rockwell (Admissions), Lance Thompson (Student Activities), Lisa Truax (Art and Design) and Ryan Wockenfus (Admissions). Without the help of these volunteers, the campaign would not have been as successful!

“In addition to thanking the volunteers and community members, Development would like to thank Chartwells for sponsoring food and beverages, as well as the “Give a Little, Get a Latte” promotion. Those who gave a gift during the fiscal year will be receiving a voucher to enjoy a latte at Saint Mary’s Mugby Junction in the coming week.

“As a reminder, if you were unable to participate in this year’s Employee Giving Campaign, it’s not too late. The fiscal year runs until May 31, 2012. If you would like to give a gift or sign up for payroll deduction, please do so at www.smumn.edu/employeegiftform.” — Jennifer Teske, associate director, Saint Mary’s Fund

Senior Gift Campaign kicks off

Thursday, March 22, marked the beginning of the Class of 2012 Senior Gift Campaign. This year’s committee — led by co-chairs Emily Munns and Rachel Gates-Vickery — centered on raising awareness about the importance of giving back to their alma mater. With a theme of “Birds of a Feather Give Back Together,” the committee held an evening event in the Cardinal Club celebrating Cardinal pride. Seniors were encouraged to make a one-year pledge to be fulfilled June 1, 2012-May 31, 2013. In just the first week of the one-month campaign, 32 percent of the senior class has pledged $2,761.

Employee Giving Campaign update

The Employee Giving Campaign has great momentum. Participation has jumped from 40 to 44 percent in a week. Congratulations to this week’s drawing winners, Stacy Popp and Fred de Sam Lazaro. Stacy is receiving a $25 gift certificate to Blue Heron Coffeehouse, and Fred won a $50 Target gift card.

If you participated last year, please consider renewing your support. Your renewal, added to our current standings, will push us closer to our goal of 65 percent participation by March 30. Let’s keep the momentum going!

If you have questions about the Employee Giving Campaign, please contact Jennifer Teske at Ext. 6675 or jteske@smumn.edu. Thank you for support!

Employee Giving Campaign soars past 50 percent of goal

The 2012 Employee Giving Campaign kicked off with a great event last week. A highlight of the event included a lively 2nd line parade led by Eric Heukeshoven, Jacquelyn Bonsgard ’15, Talib Khan ’14, Allen Mekash ’13, and Doug Leonard ’14. It would not have been a Mardi Gras celebration without crowning the lucky guest who had the baby in his king cake, Dave Ansell!

Anyone who was unable to attend should have received a packet of information outlining Roger Peckover’s remarks about investing in the future of our community, and the materials necessary to participate in this year’s campaign.

To date, 177 employees have committed to giving this fiscal year (June 1, 2011 – March 2, 2012), raising participation to 37 percent. The goal of the campaign is to achieve 65 percent participation. This week’s drawing winner is Dr. Jane Anderson. She wins a red SMU commemorative clock. Thank you to all who have given thus far!

If you have questions about the 2012 Employee Giving Campaign, contact Jennifer Teske at Ext. 6675 or jteske@smumn.edu.

Employee campaign kicks off with Mardi Gras theme

Join the Mardi Gras Kick-Off for the Employee Giving Campaign on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the Common Room, Saint Mary’s Hall. This festive kick-off wouldn’t be complete without jazz tunes, King Cake and coffee. March to the beat as we celebrate the beginning of our Employee Giving Campaign touting the slogan, “One University. One Mission.” Wear your mask and be entered into a door prize drawing!

Benefactor Recognition Event is April 2

On April 2, the university will honor its philanthropic partners at the annual Benefactor Recognition reception and dinner to be held on the Winona campus. The event, by invitation only, celebrates the generosity shown to Saint Mary’s and provides an opportunity for student and benefactor interaction.