Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies are May 12

On Saturday, May 12, the Winona campus will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

The undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors Michael Mockler, son of John and Caroline Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa, and Regina Quandt, daughter of Dan and Cathy Quandt of Minneapolis, Minn. Additionally, Dr. Richard Kowles, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology, will receive the Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit.

The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Cynthia Mueller, M.A. in Literacy Education, of Buffalo, Minn.; and Dr. Paul Rosenblum, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries, of Charleston, S.C. Additionally, Dr. Rosenblum will be presented with an Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus hosted its commencement ceremony on April 28. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 3.

Irish dance recital is Friday

The 25 members of the SMU Irish Ceili Dance class will join the Flanagan Irish Dancers in their Spring Recital on Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m., at the Valéncia Art Center. The SMU ceili class will perform “The Sweets of May,” and “The Fairy Reel.” The Flanagan Dancers, who range in age from 5-17 years, will perform a variety of step, ceili, and figure dances.  In addition, SMU Irish dance students Serica Rowley, Hannah Schwartze, and Emily Casey-Hare will be featured in a three-hand reel and a traditional set dance sampler. The performance is free and open to the public.

Cardinal Corner raises $358 for veteran alum

Saint Mary’s business students raised $358 for veteran alumnus Josh Misiewicz, the 2012 recipient of the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance. Misiewicz of La Grange, Ill., attended Saint Mary’s from 2006-2008. In July 2011, Lance Corporal Misiewicz lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan.

Each semester, undergraduate entrepreneurship students manage a not-for-profit retail store located in a small corner of the basement of Toner Student Center, aptly named the Cardinal Corner. Students choose products to sell in the store, garner donations from around campus, and sell items for on-campus organizations as part of the entrepreneurship major. Each semester the members of the class choose a different charity to which profits are donated.

SMU’s entrepreneurship students have continued to choose charities that are near and dear to the heart of a fellow classmate, or charities that benefit the SMU community. Profits from previous semesters have been donated to the Winona Area Humane Society, Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin, Dom Dziecka (a children’s orphanage in Chotomów, Poland) and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Minnesota.

For more information on the Cardinal Corner or to present your request to the class to be considered as the charity of choice for the fall semester, contact Jana Craft at Ext. 1491 or jcraft@smumn.edu. Become a fan and receive the latest updates at www.facebook.com/cardinalcorner.

Academic Awards presented

Jill Spitzmueller

David Spriegel

Judy Myers with David Dean, Jacob Rivet and Thomas Conry

Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding senior students Thursday, April 276, at the annual Senior Academic Honors Banquet. Highlights of the evening included the announcement of graduate and professional school acceptances, grants and fellowships, and the awarding of the following special honors:

American Institute of Chemists Award (chemistry award) — Benjamin Ludescher

American Chemical Society Award (chemistry award) — Jill Spitzmueller

Kevin Martineau Award (business award)  — Yu Wang

Outstanding Accounting Major (business award) — Brian Dillon

Outstanding International Business Student (business award) — Anne Drazkowski

Outstanding Entrepreneurship Student (business award) — Sheree Haslemore

Outstanding Human Resource Management Student (business award) — Samantha Otto

Outstanding Sport Management Student (business award) — Thomas Healy

Outstanding Marketing Majors (business awards) — Amanda Gehrman and Joseph Rysavy

Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence (philosophy award) — Christopher Sindelar

Father Andrew Fabian Scholarship (philosophy award) — Michael Pica

Gerald Sullivan Outstanding Theatre Major Award (theatre award) — Thomas Conry

Grove Bree Holman Award (theatre award) — Jacob Rivet

Michael G. Flanagan Ghost Light Award (theatre award) — David Dean

Brother Leo Northam Awards (math awards) — Long Chen, Justyna Kujtkowska and Yuanyuan (Jasmine) Wang

Future Alumni Committee Scholarship — Jill Spitzmueller

Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Awards — Samantha Dahlstrom and Thomas Conry

Delta Epsilon Sigma National Student Award — Megan Hellman

History Department Distinction Award and Brother J. Robert Lane Historical Essay Award — David Spriegel

Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women — Mary Glenski, Maria Pechacek and Amy Streit

Psychology Department Distinction Awards — Morgan Carlson, Bethany Hastings, Kelsi Addabbo, Allison Johnson, Jamie Jones and Cassandra Berning

Senior art show runs through May 12

Saint Mary’s seniors will display their artwork in the show “Boundaries Fade” through May 12 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The artists, displaying April 21 to May 12, include: Michael Blanda, Ashley Blum, Keisha Harcey, Maria Ann Harris, Mary Karnick, Sarah Marie Kennedy, Laura Polzin, Morgan Stock, Jim Tandberg and Margaret Villaume.

The galleries — free and open to the public — will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

MCA spring classes begin May 7

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts spring dance, music, and visual art classes begin Monday, May 7, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

A variety of classes are available for children and adults, ranging from recreation classes to pre-professional training.

The MCA Visual Art division offers Drawing the Still Life, a class for teen and adults to explore the art of drawing still life using versatile charcoal techniques.

Dance division spring offerings include: Creative Movement, Modern I-II, Contemporary Dance Workshops, Nia, Tap and Jazz for Kids, National Tap and Dance Workshops for Tap II and Tap III-IV, Junior Hip Hop, Hip Hop I-II, Boys Dance Technique, Pre Ballet, Pre Ballet I, Ballet II, Ballet III-IV, Classical Package for Ballet V, VI, VII and a new Dance for Skaters class.

Music division offerings include: Creative Music and Movement, Music Explorers, Musicman Junior, Flute Choir I, Flute Choir II as well as private lesson instruction in flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and voice.

Creative Music and Movement, an introduction to the music and dance class setting through voice, song, rhythm, and dance for 3- and 4-years-olds is offered in collaboration with the MCA dance and music divisions. This class is offered opposite of the Adult fitness class Nia. Nia offers a dynamic blend of dance arts, martial arts and healing arts using music, movement, and self-expression to help students discover optimum health of body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Parents can enjoy a great workout while their child enjoys Creative Music and Movement, Tuesdays, May 8, 15, 22, June 5, 12, and 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Adults who have a child enrolled in an MCA spring or summer class or camp can participate in a class of their own tuition-free through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness program. Adult classes choices for spring include: Nia, Teen and Adult Tap and Jazz, Flute Choir I, Flute Choir II, and Drawing the Still Life. Additional summer course offers for adults include Guitar Class I, Guitar Class II, Nia, Power Piyo, Clogging I, Clogging II, Teen and Adult Ballet, and Teen and Adult Irish Dance.

Class days, times, and tuition vary. Financial need-based scholarships are available. For a brochure and complete listing, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org or call Ext. 5500. Interested students may registration online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Big, Little Pals host end-of-the-year picnic

Big and Little Pals tested their skills on the inflatables.

A Big and Little Pal having fun

The Big and Little Pals Organization at Saint Mary’s enjoyed an end-of-the-year picnic last week. About 50 SMU students meet once a week with at-risk second- through fifth-graders from the Winona community. On April 26, their “little pals” joined them on campus for a barbecue, inflatable toys and games. The program is a collaboration with Winona Area Public Schools. Throughout the year, SMU students develop a positive relationship with their pals by nurturing their academic, social and emotional stability.

‘Campus Notes’ to resume in June

“Campus Notes” will return in mid-June and come out every other week to update the SMU community on all the news and events that occur on campus during the summer. Keep in mind that the Office of Marketing and Communication can help you promote events, speakers, awards or any other news throughout the summer. Contact Deb Nahrgang at Ext. 6966 or dnahrgan@smumn.edu.

‘Savin’ Grace’ Concert is May 12 in Rushford

Grace Place will host its annual “Savin' Grace Concert” — featuring the MPK Christian Celtic Band — from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Rushford-Peterson High School. Proceeds will be used for an emergency shelter in Winona.

Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies are May 12

On Saturday, May 12, the Winona campus will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

The undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors Michael Mockler, son of John and Caroline Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa, and Regina Quandt, daughter of Dan and Cathy Quandt of Minneapolis, Minn.

The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Cynthia Mueller, M.A. in Literacy Education, of Buffalo, Minn.; and Dr. Paul Rosenblum, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries, of Charleston, S.C. Additionally, Dr. Rosenblum will be presented with an Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus will host its commencement ceremony on April 28. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 3.

Kirk returns from performing in Asia

Dr. Ned Kirk, chair of the Music Department, just returned from his third trip to Asia this year. In November he performed three concerts and gave masterclasses in southern China and Hong Kong. In March he met with administrators and faculty at both Xi’an Conservatory of Music and Northwest University in Xi’an, China, working to develop relationships between our schools. And, in April he participated in extensive rehearsals in Singapore which culminated in giving a concert that same week in Shenzhen, China with the international concert violinist, Qian Zhou.

DRC presents ‘Le Corsaire’ April 27, 28

The Saint Mary’s 2011-2012 performance season concludes with the Dance Repertory Company in “Le Corsaire,” today and Saturday, April 27-28, at Page Theatre.

For close to four decades, the Dance Repertory Company has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works.

“Le Corsaire,” loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron, follows Medora, a beautiful slave girl, and Conrad, a dashing pirate, as they journey through a tapestry of captive maidens, rich sultans, swashbuckling abductions, and dramatic rescues, all culminating in a happy ending. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Adolfe Adam, the ballet continues to delight audiences more than 150 years after its premiere.

Under the artistic direction of Tammy Schmidt, the DRC’s production features dancers who currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and Saint Mary’s, as well as community members. Dr. Gary Diomandes, Department of Theatre and Dance, is one of the performers.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the SMU Performance Center at Ext. 1715.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s.

Senior art show runs through May 12

Saint Mary’s seniors will display their artwork in the show “Boundaries Fade” through May 12 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The second group of artists, displaying April 21 to May 12, includes: Michael Blanda, Ashley Blum, Keisha Harcey, Maria Ann Harris, Mary Karnick, Sarah Marie Kennedy, Laura Polzin, Morgan Stock, Jim Tandberg and Margaret Villaume.

The galleries — free and open to the public — will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Row, Ride, Run Triathlon is this weekend

The annual Saint Mary’s “Row, Ride, Run Triathlon” will take place on Saturday, April 28, beginning at 9 a.m. at Lake Lodge in Winona and finishing on SMU’s Winona campus.

About 100 athletes from throughout the Midwest are expected to register for the race.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

Proceeds assist Serving Others United in Love (SOUL), a program of SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry. Through SOUL, students are able to connect with diverse communities by participating in national and international service trips.

For more information, visit www.smumn.edu/rowriderun or call Ext. 7268.

Organ students to present recital/hymn-sing

Saint Mary's junior Jordan Ranstrom of Warren, Minn., prepares for his performance on the Kilgen organ in Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels.

Five organ students from Saint Mary’s will present a recital/hymn-sing today, April 27, at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Vila and Wabasha streets. Joshua Korver, Jacob Carlson, Jordan Ranstrom, Nathan Maskal and Gregory Bim-Merle will be featured on selections spanning traditional to contemporary periods of organ repertoire — from G.F. Handel to Marcel Dupré. The students will also lead the audience in several familiar hymns. Father Andrew Beerman, rector of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, will give the invocation and benediction. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at Ext. 7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

160 students participate in ‘Spruce Up Winona Day’

In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” about 160 students helped out throughout the community on April 21. The group assisted the Habitat ReStore, Winona Area Humane Society, Winona Public Library, Winona Health, as well as several area churches and senior residences.

Choirs to perform April 28

The Saint Mary’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, will present their Spring Concert on Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels. The concert will also feature the Saint Mary’s Chamber Orchestra and organist Eric Heukeshoven. The performance will include works by Purcell, Bruckner, Egil Hovland, Stephen Hatfield, and Stephen Paulus.

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

Psychology symposium held April 19

The SMU Psychology Symposium was held The first session included research presentations made by students who collected data in the context of their collaborative labs and/or experimental psychology course. The second session consisted of formal research presentations made by graduating students in fulfillment of their senior thesis requirement. Thank go to everyone who participated and attended.

MCA to host free concert Monday at the library

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present an informal music concert, Monday, April 30, at 5:15 p.m., in the Children’s Room of the Winona Public Library, 151 West 5th St.

This concert is free and open to the public. MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers and small instrumental ensemble groups will perform. Students will feature folk, classical and multicultural pieces.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts exists to provide quality arts education and performance by nurturing and encouraging artistic expression in children and adults. The MCA provides recreational to pre-professional performing opportunities, and its visual arts curriculum and programming are designed to provide physical and aesthetic benefits, heightened self-respect, discipline and confidence.

For more information about the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts upcoming classes, performances and programs, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5500.

20 books donated to De La Salle Language Institute

As a part of World Book Night April 23, Nancy Wiltgen '75, senior development director, presented 20 free copies of “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls to students at SMU’s De La Salle Language Institute. Wiltgen was just one of 25,000 volunteers who gave away half a million free books throughout 6,000 towns and cities across America on World Book Night, April 23.

Wiltgen was inspired to get involved in this program after working with an international student last year. The student told Wiltgen that she was interested in reading a good book in English that was not a textbook. “The Glass Castle” is one of Wiltgen’s favorites. For more information, go to www.worldbooknight.org.