Blackhawks President, CEO John McDonough '75 to bring Stanley Cup to SMU Sept. 6

The Stanley Cup is coming to Saint Mary's! Saint Mary’s 1975 alumnus John McDonough, President and CEO of the Blackhawks, is bringing the National Hockey League Championship trophy to Saint Mary's Winona campus on Friday, Sept. 6, and you are all invited to join us for a public rally and for an exclusive SMU viewing of the Cup!

Three years ago, the Chicago Blackhawks put an end to a 49-year Stanley Cup drought, earning their first NHL title since 1961 with a stunning win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

McDonough was right there hoisting the Cup with the rest of the Blackhawk players and staff.

On June 24, Chicago did it again, as the Blackhawks claimed their second Stanley Cup title in a three-year span with a clinching 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

And on Friday, Sept. 6, McDonough will bring the championship spirit — and the cup — to Saint Mary’s.

“On behalf of Saint Mary’s, let me say how honored we are that John has chosen to share the Stanley Cup with his alma mater and how proud we are of John and his continued accomplishments,” said Brother William. “Under his leadership, the Blackhawks have taken home the Cup twice, and the Saint Mary’s community has celebrated with him every step of the way.”

The Saint Mary's community private viewing of the cup will be from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. At this time, a limited number of SMU students, faculty, staff and alumni (and their immediate families) will have the opportunity for an up-close photo with the cup. Wristbands will be distributed at 2 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the Plaza entrance into the Toner Student Center nearest Campus Safety. You are welcome to begin lining up at 1:30 p.m. Students are encouraged to obtain permission from faculty if this event conflicts with class schedules. Everyone must bring their SMU ID cards.

Everyone is then invited to a public rally from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Gostomski Fieldhouse — during which McDonough will address the crowd and the Cup will be on display.

Following the rally, a limited number of attendees from the public will also have an opportunity to take pictures with the Stanley Cup from 5 to 7 p.m., in the fieldhouse. Due to time constraints with the Cup, only those with wristbands will have the opportunity for an up-close photo. Wristbands will be given out beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame room in the Gostomski Fieldhouse. The public is invited to begin lining up in the Hall of Fame room at 1:30 p.m.

Saint Mary’s volunteers will direct attendees on where to park and line up. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule is subject to change.

Welcome back students and faculty!

The Cardinal athletic teams were a huge help!

Showing their SMU pride as they assist students during move-in day are, from left: Lisa Truax, Dr. Joe Tadie, Dr. Moni Berg-Binder, Dr. Kyle Black, Dr. Erich Lippman and Michael Charron.

The campus is back in full swing and thanks go to the faculty, staff and returning students who helped students move in on Saturday, Aug. 24! Parents and new students were extremely grateful for the help.

The Second City kicks off 2013-14 Page Series Sept. 5

Saint Mary’s kicks off its Page Series offerings with the side-splitting comedic talents of The Second City Thursday, Sept. 5.

Drawing on classic material from The Second City archives as well as scenes ripped from the morning headlines, The Second City’s Happily Ever Laughter is your chance to see comedy stars in the making in an evening of smart, cutting edge comedy.

The Second City continues to deliver the leading voices in comedy while touring the globe. With scripted and improvisational elements, audiences always enjoy being part of the show and playing along with the next generation of comic legends. Many of comedy’s brightest stars have hit the road with The Second City Touring Company including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Keegan Michael Key and most recently, current Saturday Night Live stars Cecily Strong, Tim Robinson and Jason Sudeikis.

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre. Tickets are $27 for adults, $24 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org, or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

120 SMU students to volunteer in Winona community Saturday

About 120 students from Saint Mary’s — a mixture of athletes and new students — will serve six organizations in Winona on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of New Student Volunteer Day.

Throughout the day, about 80 students will be painting the main room of the Winona Friendship Center, located at Main and 5th streets. The Friendship Center received a “Picture-It-Painted” grant from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, in partnership with Valspar Corporation, and Saint Mary’s students will help bring some much-needed color to their space. The room — after 41 gallons of paint — will go from off-white to a rich green with brown accents. The Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors and Campus Ministry are collaborating with the Friendship Center and organizers of the event.

New Student Volunteer Day is dedicated to providing new SMU students with the opportunity to engage with the Winona community, and to be inspired by the Lasallian spirit of service early in their college careers.

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 SMU Sports Hall of Fame during Cardinal 'M' Club Weekend Friday-Sunday, Sept. 13-15.

The 2013 Saint Mary's University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will honor former student-athletes Greg (Dick ’84) Arens, Todd Borndale ’85 and Ashley (Dingels ’05) Gossen.

The trio will be honored during an awards ceremony on Friday, Sept. 13. Along with the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame class, Friday’s ceremony will also honor SMU’s 2012-13 postseason award-winners, and recognize the 2012-13 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. 13-15.

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, ropes course activities, a barbecue with live music on the plaza, disc golfing and the Cardinal Dash 5K. New this year is an alumni party at Jefferson Pub & Grill, featuring the Young Alumni Band, Ali and the Scoundrels, 8 p.m. Saturday.

The weekend also coincides with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving SMU 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.smumn.edu/yaw13.

Thanks to State Fair volunteers

Thanks to those who volunteered to staff the Saint Mary’s booth at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 22 - Sept. 2 in St. Paul. The event is a great opportunity to connect with potential students and families, as well as alumni.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here is one way Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• KTTC, WKBT, Winona Radio, the Winona Post and the Winona Daily News have announced the Stanley Cup visit to Saint Mary’s Sept. 6. This opportunity will continue to bring the university positive visibility.

Minnesota Conservatory open house Sept. 4

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will be conducting its fall registration open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St.

MCA offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for youth ages 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center.

Register early for:

• New art division classes including “Architecture for Kids” and “Drawing 101.”
• Dance programming in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip hop and tap with new course divisions.
• Private music lessons with talented teaching artists.
• New partner workshops with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and Great River Shakespeare Festival.
• Advanced training for those serious about dance with an additional Ballet V/VI/VII class.
• New adult wellness classes including folk music workshops, “Intro to Guitar,” “Self Portrait Workshop,” and “Belly Dancing for Beginners.”

Class days, times and tuition vary.  Financial need-based scholarships are available. For a brochure and a complete listing, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call (507) 453-5500. Interested students may register online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

‘Campus Notes’ now weekly

The faculty/staff newsletter has resumed its weekly Friday edition. Deadlines are noon Wednesdays. Send information to dnahrgan@smumn.edu.

River cleanup is Sept. 7

The 33rd annual river cleanup will be 9 am. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Latsch Island Beach. Volunteers should wear gloves, boots, and old clothes. Boats are needed to haul trash. Go to www.facebook.com/mrr1980 for more information.

Saint Mary's to host veterans roundtable discussion Aug. 26

Saint Mary’s University and Sen. Amy Klobuchar are inviting federal and state veterans affairs leaders and higher education leaders for a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities for veterans returning to Minnesota.

The special focus of a guest panel will be to help veterans achieve their education and workforce skills development goals; a discussion will focus on what policy changes can be enacted to improve their ability to receive post-military service education.

The roundtable is Monday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the University Center on the Twin Cities campus.

Panelists will include:
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
• Commissioner Larry Shellito, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• Carin Anderson, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education liaison
• Captain Aaron Oelschlager, Minnesota National Guard
• Alison Block, director of student services at Saint Mary's
• Gina Sobania, military education academic credit director at MnSCU
• Julie Selander, director of OneStop at the University of Minnesota
• Jacqueline Mahon, Saint Mary's student and Minnesota Air National Guard member

Following the roundtable discussion, the audience will participate in table discussions to provide insights and develop recommendations for policy changes that can enhance veterans’ access to and success in higher education.

The event is free and open to legislators, veterans affairs personnel, veterans, higher education audiences, and Saint Mary's University community members.

To register or for more information, visit http://veteransroundtable.eventbrite.com.

Welcome back students and faculty!

The school year is upon us; student and parent check-in is 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. The President’s Welcome begins at 1 p.m. in the gymnasium, and a full weekend of events are planned. For more information, go to smumn.edu/welcomeweek.

Thanks to State Fair volunteers

Thanks to those who volunteered to staff the Saint Mary’s booth at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 22 - Sept. 2 in St. Paul. The event is a great opportunity to connect with potential students and families, as well as alumni.

Saint Mary’s wins award in Goodview Days Parade

As part of our community visibility efforts, SMU participated in the Goodview Days Parade Sunday, Aug. 18. Thanks in no small part to the large number of resident assistants who participated — and their high energy — Saint Mary’s took home the “Committee Award” plaque from the parade.

Ice cream social raises money for Nairobi

The Volunteer Committee thanks everyone who attended last week’s ice cream social. A total of $233 was raised and will be given to Christ the Teacher Institute in Nairobi.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here is one way Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• Donna Aronson, vice president of Academic Affairs, did a morning radio interview on Winona Radio Aug. 20. Dr. Aronson spoke about academic news as well as campus happenings.

• One of our students just completed a minorities-in-law pre-law session this summer. Manire Vaughn is a double major in Human Services and Criminal Justice You can read a brief story about the program at bit.ly/176HHwV.

Saint Mary’s Ragnar team has smurfing good time

The SMUrfs gathered for a photo. Not pictured is Peggy Johnson.

Saint Mary's faculty and staff members were part of a team that completed the 2013 Great River Ragnar relay race Aug. 16-17. The SMUrfs (SMU Running Fools) donned blue and white Smurf costumes on the 203-mile trek from Winona to Minneapolis, via Wisconsin and Stillwater, Minn.

Each participant ran three legs of the journey, averaging 15-20 miles per runner. Saint Mary's team members included Dorothy Diehl, Randy Krainock, Rob Gordon, Steve Pattee, Trisha Karr, Dean Beckman and SMU alumnae Kelly Momsen. Peggy Johnson and John Schollmeier drove the support vehicles. Non-SMU runners on the team included Diehl’s daughter Erin Buchanan, Phil Cochran’s wife Michelle,  Pattee’s wife Deb, along with Megan O'Connell and Kathryn Stangstalien.

The SMUrfs won first place for best team name among more than 300 entries. All of the “Running Fools” reported having a Smurfing good time!

Be aware of mail delays

Recent changes with the U.S. Postal Service have created a delay in mail service. Mail that is sent through Winona Central Services is picked up promptly at 1 p.m. daily (Monday through Friday), but is not postmarked until the next day. Mail delivery is now taking three or more days to get to the Twin Cities. Express Mail will not be guaranteed for overnight delivery unless you take it to the post office by 2 p.m.

SMU Concert Band invites area musicians to join

Area musicians who love band music are invited to the Saint Mary’s Concert Band’s first rehearsal of the season on Monday, Aug. 26, from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The Concert Band was founded in 1990 as a college-community partnership ensemble and is directed by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, professor of music and music education.

Rehearsals are held in Saint Yon’s Hall (Room 158). All interested musicians are welcome to attend the first sight-reading informational rehearsal of the season. Advanced high school students, students from Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical who were active in their high school bands, and experienced adult community musicians are welcome to join the SMU collegiate members for an exciting season. The band performs a wide variety of repertoire that includes a world-premiere performance this fall of a composition titled “Katanya,” composed by Larry Bitensky. The new piece was composed for the SMU band through the Kaplan Foundation Commissioning Project.  This delightful new work is for narrator and concert band, and brings us a traditional Jewish folk tale through words and music.

Placement auditions will be individually scheduled; audition music will be given to all players on Aug. 26. If you are interested in the ensemble but cannot attend the initial “info-rehearsal,” please contact Dr. Heukeshoven to make other arrangements. The Concert Band rehearses 6:45 to 8 p.m. Mondays, and 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The band’s first performance this year will be the annual Family Weekend Concert (shared with the SMU choirs) on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Detailed information regarding band membership and the auditions (held Aug. 28-31) will be available at the first rehearsal. There is a place for you in the band; contact Dr. Heukeshoven at Ext. 1675 or email at jheukesh@smumn.edu for additional information and to reserve a spot for you at the first rehearsal. If you leave a message, please specify which instrument you play, as well as your full name and contact information.