Reunion Weekend draws 450

The class of 2004

Joan and Pat Costello meet up with a couple of alumni from the 50th anniversary class.

A full weekend of activities drew 450 alumni and family during Reunion Weekend June 20-22. The energy from the weekend was high, and alumni were thankful for the opportunity to connect with each other and with the university. Attendees came from across the United States as far as Alaska and California. Honored were: Outstanding Young Alumnus - Nathan Semsch '04; Alumni Appreciation - Thomas Baryl '58; and Distinguished Alumnus - Paul Meyer '64, J.D.

Thanks go to all those who worked hard to prepare campus for these events. Together we are building important connections with our alumni community that strengthen our future. Go to www.smumn.edu/photos to view photos from the weekend.

Public invited to play in Tom Farren Memorial Golf Classic

The public is invited to play in the sixth annual Tom Farren Memorial Golf Classic Sunday, July 20. The four-person scramble will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start at Cedar Valley Golf Course. The $80 entry fee includes a Sunday brunch from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., a Saint Mary’s sweatshirt and 18 holes of golf with a cart.  The deadline to register is Monday, July 7.

This outing honors former Saint Mary’s golf coach Tom Farren and is a fundraiser for the men’s and women’s golf teams.

Send a check and shirt sizes for foursomes to Cedar Valley Golf Course, P.O. Box 1148, Winona, MN 55987. For more information, contact Nikki Fennern at nfennern@smumn.edu or (507) 457-1638.

String camp participants to perform in public concerts

Saint Mary’s String Camp participants — on campus July 13-20 — will work on developing their skills and musicianship to master many important aspects of string playing in the contemporary era. Throughout this eight-day camp, participants will have the opportunity to work closely and intensively with the faculty to improve their skills in solo, chamber music and orchestral playing.

The public is invited to three free and public concerts by these talented young musicians (ages 12-18):

July 18 — 7:30 p.m. student solo recital
July 19 — 7:30 p.m. student chamber music recital
July 20 — noon string orchestra concert

All concerts will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Saint Mary’s Performance Center.

The string orchestra will perform Mozart’s “Divertimento in F major, K. 138”; Coreelli’s “Concerto Grosso in D Major, opus 6 no. 4”; “Company” by Philip Glass; and “Capriol Suite” by Warlock. The student solo recital will include works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Vaughan Williams and Beethoven. The chamber music concert will include string quartets by Haydn, Mozart and Ravel.

Steamboat Days parade thanks

The Marketing and Communication Office thanks the many students (along with Bob Fisher) who volunteered for this year’s Steamboat Days parade. The Saint Mary’s float was viewed by up to 10,000 parade spectators, and the students helped create a fun, high-energy event.

News from Nairobi

By James Chege
Librarian
Maryknoll Institute of African Studies
Editor: Father Michael C. Kirwen, Director

Second Three-Week Immersion Program

On Tuesday, June 17, the second and final immersion program of the academic year began. The session welcomed a host of returning students as well as six new students. Of the new students, three are U.S. citizens, including Kyle Black an Assistant Professor at Saint Mary’s. There is also a Spanish national and two Kenyans. The second immersion program features the courses African culture: an overview and Moral Teaching and Practices of African Traditional Religion. The courses are being taught by Prof. Mary Getui and Prof. Douglas Waruta respectively.

Students and field assistants mingle during the morning break.

Public Lecture on Political and Economic Situation of Kenya

As part of the first weeks activities, a public lecture was given on the present political, social and economic situation in Kenya. The guest speaker was Dr. George Outa, a renown literary scholar and lawyer. His lecture touched on democracy since the collapse of the Berlin wall in 1990s, tracing developments until the present day,  and the present Kenyan context.

Dr. George  Outa addresses students and field assistants during the public lecture.

Insecurity in Kenya and the current threat from the Somalia based terror group Al-shabaab  was one of the focal points of the presentation, raising questions on why other countries like Ethiopia, Uganda or Rwanda, who are also part of the AMISON forces deployed to Somalia, are not being targeted by the terrorists. The lecture lasted two hours with a lively and interactive question-and-answer session at the end.

Special Two-Day Course Offered for Lasallian Students

On Monday, June 23, a group of six Lasallians students began a special two-day course on African culture and African religion at MIASMU. The group has travelled from various parts of the U.S. to visit schools in Kenya with Lasallian links.

MIASMU director Father Michael Kirwen addresses the Lasallian students on the opening day.

The course was designed to prepare them for processing their experiences while visiting various schools and institutions in Kenya by opening a door both into an understanding of African cultures and religions, and a deeper understanding of their own cultural realities.  The course was taught by Prof. Mary Getui on Monday and Dr. Michael Katola on Tuesday.

NSOR helps incoming students prepare for success

Dr. Tricia Klosky assists students during NSOR.

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:
Saturday, July 19
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.

Countdown to College to welcome 86 students

Countdown to College (C2C) students will be on campus July 5-Aug 2. The first two weeks (July 5-18), Saint Mary’s will welcome cohorts 3 and 4 on campus. A graduation ceremony will be July 18. Parents of the seniors are invited to join the celebration.

On July 19, C2C will welcome a new cohort of  incoming freshmen, and on July 20 returning sophomores will join them. These two cohorts will study on campus through Aug. 2.

This two-week program for students from under-resourced communities is offered each summer for four years, beginning just after they complete eighth grade and continuing until the summer before their senior year — helping to assure each student is prepared for a successful college experience.

The camp is free to student participants from San Miguel and Nativity middle schools and Cristo Rey and Lasallian high schools, their parents (who come the first weekend), and teachers from their schools, who co-teach with Saint Mary’s instructors, and help prepare Saint Mary’s instructors on how to effectively work with this growing population of students.

C2C is part of the First-Generation Initiative, which helps students prepare for and succeed at college.

Congratulations to Murray, Ratajczyk

Ben Murray ’96, vice president for financial affairs, married Robyn Hanson June 13 at Holy Rosary Church in Minneapolis. Michael Ratajczyk, assistant professor of business, married Stacey May 31 at Windom Park in Winona. The Saint Mary’s community congratulates these couples.

‘Campus Notes’ schedule

The newsletter will come out every other week throughout the summer to update the Saint Mary’s community on all the news and events that occur on campus through August. The next edition will be July 11.

Reunion Weekend schedule or June 20-22

Faculty and staff are encouraged and invited to attend all of these events Reunion Weekend.

To view a complete schedule of events, go to www.mysmumn.org/reunion14. To register, contact the Alumni Office at Ext. 1499.

Friday, June 21

8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. — Celebration of Scholarship-Reunion Weekend Edition, Hall of Fame Room.

9 a.m. (tee time start) — Golf Outing, Bridges Golf Club ($80 per person)

Saturday, June 22

8 to 8:30 a.m. — Registration and race start for Gilmore Gallop 5K Fun Run/Walk, near Max Molock Field; free T-shirt for pre-registrants.

8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. — Celebration of Scholarship-Reunion Weekend Edition, Hall of Fame Room.

9 to 10 a.m. — Current and Former Christian Brothers’ Gathering, President’s Room

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Family Picnic at Saint Mary’s Park. $12 for adults, $7 for children

4:30 p.m. — Centennial Mass at Saint Thomas More Chapel

5:30 and 6 p.m. — Reception and Alumni Recognition Ceremony, Page Theatre. The evening will feature the presentation of SMU’s alumni awards and the recognition of the reunion class.

7 p.m. — “A Taste of Saint Mary’s” Reunion Weekend Dinner, Toner Center Dining Room; $32 for adults. Plan to attend this unique dinner and enjoy a “Taste of Saint Mary’s” – a sampling of delicious ethnic foods that represent Saint Mary’s global presence and diversity of our community. Food selections will be from African, Jamaican and American cuisine.

8:30 p.m. — Reunion Weekend Party, Cardinal Club. Music and celebration will take over the Cardinal Club as alumni reconnect in good cheer.

8:30 p.m. — Piano Bar, Toner Center Lounge. Join Saint Mary’s Music Department faculty and piano player extraordinaire, A. Eric Heukeshoven for a rousing piano bar.

Sunday, June 23

9:30 a.m. — Mass at Saint Thomas More Chapel

Public invited to play in Tom Farren Memorial Golf Classic

The public is invited to play in the sixth annual Tom Farren Memorial Golf Classic Sunday, July 20. The four-person scramble will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start at Cedar Valley Golf Course. The $80 entry fee includes a Sunday brunch from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., a Saint Mary’s sweatshirt and 18 holes of golf with a cart.  The deadline to register is Monday, July 7.

This outing honors former Saint Mary’s golf coach Tom Farren and is a fundraiser for the men’s and women’s golf teams.

Send a check and shirt sizes for foursomes to Cedar Valley Golf Course, P.O. Box 1148, Winona, MN 55987. For more information, contact Nikki Fennern at nfennern@smumn.edu or Ext. 1638.

String camp participants to perform in public concerts

Saint Mary’s String Camp participants — on campus July 13-20 — will work on developing their skills and musicianship to master many important aspects of string playing in the contemporary era. Throughout this eight-day camp, participants will have the opportunity to work closely and intensively with the faculty to improve their skills in solo, chamber music and orchestral playing.

The public is invited to three free and public concerts by these talented young musicians:

July 18 — 7:30 p.m. student solo recital
July 19 — 7:30 p.m. student chamber music recital
July 20 — noon string orchestra concert

All concerts will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Saint Mary’s Performance Center.

The string orchestra will perform Mozart’s “Divertimento in F major, K. 138;” Coreelli’s “Concerto Grosso in D Major, opus 6 no. 4;” “Company” by Philip Glass; and “Capriol Suite” by Warlock. The student solo recital will include works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Vaughan Williams and Beethoven. The chamber music concert will include string quartets by Haydn, Mozart and Ravel.

Watch for Saint Mary’s float in Steamboat Days parade

Once again, the Marketing and Communication Office is entering a float for this year’s Steamboat Days parade Sunday, June 15. The parade begins at 12:30 p.m., and our float is No. 57. Cheer for the float (and nearly 30 student volunteers) and get some fruit snacks and Saint Mary’s whistle/light keychains!

News from Nairobi

By James Chege
Librarian
Maryknoll Institute of African Studies
Editor: Father Michael C. Kirwen, Director

Three-week Immersion Program 

Students and field assistants share a word over coffee during the first immersion program.

The first Immersion program of the 2013-014 academic year at the Maryknoll institute of African studies began May 20 with an orientation and introduction to field work methods and techniques session. The program has registered 14 students with representation from different countries such as Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, South Korea, USA, Mexico, Argentina and Eritrea.

As part of the first week activities, a public lecture on the present political and economic situation in Kenya was held. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Edward Oyugi, a MIASMU faculty veteran. The lecture touched on Kenya’s ethnicity problem and the current security situation in light of recent terror attacks blamed on the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The new system of devolution as prescribed in Kenya’s new constitution was also a major talking point.

Students and field assistants keenly follow the public lecture.

The program features three courses and runs for a period of three weeks ending on June 11. The courses include: African Culture: An Overview taught by Dr. Michael Katola; Spirituality, Personhood and Psychotherapy in an African Context taught by Drs. Hubert Pinto; and Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment and African Religion taught by Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa.

Pastoral Reflection (PR) Session:  Spirits at Rest, and moral rectitude

Victor O’kubasu of the sociology of development/underdevelopment and African religion class makes a point during their presentation at the PTR.

Students and field assistants in the first three-week immersion program of the Institute were treated by their colleagues to some dramatic entertainment as they acted out skits during the first Pastoral Reflection session. Two classes presented themes that closely tied in with what they are currently studying in their respective courses.

The first class presented a skit about a young man whose death in a foreign land had brought about  a major dispute in his family. The younger members of the family argue that it is not economically sound to fly the body of the deceased into the country, but the parents and community elders will hear none of that. They believe that the spirit of the deceased will not rest until the proper burial rites are performed. After all, the dead are seen as living and thus still part of the community. In the end the elders have their way and a harambee (fund raiser) is organized to cover the airfare.

The next skit was about a young man who decided to make a living from stealing from tourists. Strangely, he is convinced that it is an honest way to make a living. In the skit the young man grabs a phone from an unsuspecting tourist. Upon noticing that it is an old make he proceeds to scold the dumbfounded victim about his choice of a phone. They then begin a strange conversation where the young thief defends his ‘occupation’ and ends up stealing even more from the same tourist. The skit highlighted how many of the youth in today’s world are intent on making easy money no matter what, and how they are increasingly shunning the African values of hard work and moral rectitude.

Students Samuel Hong and Vitalis Otieno act out a skit on behalf of the African culture: an overview class.

These presentations are an African way to share what students in different courses are currently learning. This also gives them an opportunity to reflect upon and openly discuss current issues and themes highlighted through the acting.

HCO presents ‘Seussical’ in Page Theatre

Home and Community Options will present “Seussical” at Saint Mary’s Page Theatre. Performances are 7 p.m. June 13-14 and 16-17, and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 15. Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for seniors older than 62 and $8 for students. Call the box office at Ext. 1715 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or order online at www.pagetheatre.org.

NSOR helps incoming students prepare for success

New Student Orientation and Registration (NSOR) schedules have been carefully crafted to help incoming students prepare for a successful college experience. It’s an opportunity for Saint Mary’s University to officially welcome incoming students as Cardinals! At NSOR, they will learn about the many opportunities to get involved on campus, and the many resources that will help them succeed at Saint Mary’s.

Why is attending NSOR so important? It’s a time 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.

Don’t think we’ve forgotten about parents; 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. Parents are also invited to follow the Saint Mary’s of Minnesota Parents Facebook.

It’s also a great opportunity to meet other new students, as well as faculty and staff.

2014 NSOR dates are:
Saturday, June 14
Monday, June 16 *Full
Saturday, July 19
Friday, August 1
Friday, August 22  (late confirmations, transfers and students coming from a distance, no overnight accommodations for families)

For 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.

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.

Charron attends White House reception for Turnaround Arts

Michael Charron at the White House

Michael Charron, dean of the School of the Arts  and chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board, was invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to attend a White House function May 20.

During the occasion, Mrs. Obama announced the expansion of the Turnaround Arts program — an arts education initiative to help improve low-performing schools. The program launched as a pilot program in April 2012 in eight schools across the country and was developed through the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Domestic Policy Council.

The Turnaround Arts initiative is a public-private partnership designed to narrow the achievement gap and increase student engagement through the arts. Working in some of the nation’s lowest-performing elementary and middle schools, this program will test the idea that high-quality and integrated arts education boosts academic achievement, motivates student learning and improves school culture in the context of overall school reform.

Minnesota is one of three states chosen to participate in Turnaround Arts educational programming for the upcoming year. Following an application process, four Minnesota schools will be chosen, according to Charron.

“We will not replace subject matter or teachers, but we will provide training; we work with the school to integrate arts into their curriculum,” Charron said. “A direct correlation has been made between the arts and a wide range of benefits to students including academic achievement, school involvement, and social and emotional development. We will be working with current school staff and provide expertise from arts education specialists and will incorporate local artists and at least one nationally known artist to assist the school. We’re not there to replace, but to add to what schools are doing.”

In fact, he said, every school in the pilot program showed improvement in math and reading scores after just one year.

The Minnesota State Arts Board is acting as the program’s fiscal agent at the state level, partnering with the Perpich Center for Arts Education.

‘Campus Notes’ resumes

The newsletter will come out every other week throughout the summer to update the Saint Mary’s community on all the news and events that occur on campus June through August. The next edition will be June 27.