SMU business programs receive specialized accreditation

Dr. Tom Marpe, left, chairman of the Saint Mary’s University Business Department, is congratulated by Dr. Terry Girdon, chairman of the board of commissioners of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. Saint Mary’s University was granted specialized accreditation of its business degree programs.


WINONA, Minn. — At the 2007 annual conference of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), the board of commissioners announced that Saint Mary’s University was granted specialized accreditation of its business degree programs. Accredited programs have been examined by trained evaluators who ensure that the IACBE’s standards are being met in eight key areas: outcomes assessment, strategic planning, curriculum, faculty, scholarly and professional activities, resources, internal/external relationships, and educational innovation. The quality of the business programs is measured by the accomplishment of the school’s mission and broad-based goals, the effectiveness of student learning, and the operational effectiveness of the business programs.

Based in the Kansas City metropolitan area, the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education is the premier business accrediting association for business programs in student-centered colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s joins a growing list of 230 IACBE member institutions in the United States and 20 countries that support quality assurance in education.

Student chamber music Recital is April 29

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University student chamber music recital will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Performance Center.

The evening will include works by Telemann, Hayden, Doppler, Huguenin and Tustin, performed by small woodwind ensembles coached by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven. This event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the recital.

Flea market, creek cleanup part of SMU Earth Week

WINONA, Minn. — The Student Activities Committee and the Biology Club of Saint Mary’s University are planning and participating in several Earth Week activities for students including an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, a medallion hunt, bike tune-ups, a canoe trip and car emissions tests.

Saint Mary’s students are also joining with students from Winona State University and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical for the second annual Spruce-Up Winona Day on Wednesday, April 25.

The public is invited to participate in two additional activities in honor of Earth Week. A flea market will be held on campus from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28. The community is invited on campus for this fun way to recycle.

Additionally, SMU is once again sponsoring a 2-mile section of Gilmore Creek. The annual creek cleanup is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. Gloves and bags will be provided. Faculty, staff and students will meet at the information desk, located in the Toner Student Center, at 3 p.m. for instruction. Anyone who would like to sign up or receive more information can call Deb Nahrgang at (507) 457-6966.

Ethnic percussion ensemble plans spring concert

WINONA, Minn. —The Batucada Nossa Senhora ethnic percussion ensemble of Saint Mary's University will present its 15th annual spring concert 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, in Page Theatre, located in the Performance Center. Batucada Nossa Senhora translates to Percussion Ensemble of Our Lady.

The performance, under the direction of Denny McGuire, will consist of music from Brazil, Cuba and Puerto Rico, combining for an enriching multi-cultural experience for all ages. Batucada members include SMU students, many of whom are music majors, as well as community members.

Performers use a variety of unique instruments including: the authentic surdo, tamborim, agogó, reco-reco, ganzá, and pandeiro from the Samba Baterias of Brazil as well as hand-drums such as conga and bongó from the Cuban tradition. From Africa, they also use gongoque and beaded gourds of many types (most of which are made by members of the group) as well as instruments such as the berimbau and talking drum.

The Saint Mary’s Jazz Combo, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will open the show.

Tickets are $6, $4 for students and seniors and may be purchased online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

SMU choirs to present spring concert April 28

WINONA, Minn. — The Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and Women's Choir of Saint Mary's University will present their annual spring concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Wabasha and Vila streets, Winona.

The beautiful former chapel for the College of Saint Teresa is a perfect visual and acoustic setting for choral music. The Concert Choir will perform “Three Scottish Folksongs,” arranged by Mack WiIberg and featuring SMU’s Dr. Ned Kirk and Dr. Jeffrey Highland on piano, “Funeral Music for Queen Mary” by Henry Purcell and “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” arranged by Moses Hogan.

The Chamber Singers will perform “Mass for Five Voices,” by William Byrd, “Beata Dei Genitrix Maria” by Francisco Guerrero, “Drei Rilkegesänge by Patrick O’Shea, “Crucifying” by Russell Woolen and “Hosanna to the Son of David” by Orlando Gibbon.

Both groups are under the direction of Dr. Patrick O'Shea. The Women's Choir is directed by Peter Schleif.

Tickets are $6, $4 for students and seniors and may be purchased online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

SMU jazz concert April 27 to feature alumni combo

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University will present a celebratory evening of jazz 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center. Included in the concert will be the 18-piece SMU Jazz Ensemble and an alumni select jazz combo, featuring the talents of some of SMU’s most outstanding graduates, both under the direction of Dr. John Paulson.

Dr. Paulson is celebrating his 25th anniversary with the SMU Department of Music. As director of the music industry program, Dr. Paulson heads the music business track and developed the unique music technology program. He also founded the ongoing Music Access for All program, dedicated to helping disadvantaged children in the Winona area gain access to music instruments and lessons. He earned his B.M. and Master of Music degrees from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and his Doctor of Music degree from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Performing in the alumni combo will be: Denny McGuire, Chris White, Brad Steine, Scott Gerry, Justin Bell, Brian Zirngible, Ben Young, Lynn Albee, Jennifer Welch, Justin Jenkins and Brandon Mathieus.

Alumni will also solo with the big band, which will perform, “I Hear a Rhapsody, by Fragos, featuring a new arrangement by Dr. Paulson; “Lush Life” by Billy Strayhorn, arranged by Mike Tomaro; “Slam” by Dave Sanborn, arranged by Marcus Miller; “Tickle Toe” by Lester Young, arranged by Dave Wolpe; “Blues in the Closet” by Oscar Pettiford, arranged by Mark Taylor; and “They Still Have a Pad Downtown,” by Dr. Paulson.

Tickets are $6, $4 for students and seniors and may be purchased online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. For further information contact Dr. Paulson at (507) 457-1596 or jpaulson@smumn.edu.

SMU recognizes employees, retiree for service

PHOTO CAPTION: Mary Moxness, left, head librarian, and Georgia Curran, assistant to the registrar, were honored at a Saint Mary’s University employee service event Tuesday, April 17. Moxness, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary with the university, is retiring this year, and Curran is celebrating her 40th anniversary. Other Winona campus employees honored included: Mark Baumann, Peggy Ebert, Jeffrey Hefel, Scott Rose, Dr. James Vogel, Angela Weisbrod and Jayne Wobig for 20 years; Dr. Jeffrey Highland, Thomas Malin and Donald Olson for 30 years; and Dr. Richard Kowles and Dr. Michael Sommerville for 35 years. Employees with 5-, 10-, and 15-year anniversaries were also recognized.

Scott and Jeff radio marathon fundraiser for Habitat

WINONA, Minn. — For the third consecutive year, the Scott and Jeff Show (a quirky talk show hosted by two Saint Mary’s University business faculty members Scott Deml and Jeff Hefel) will do a 10-hour Habitat for Humanity Radio-a-thon.

The quirky and unpredictable fundraising show will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 3. Additional members of the SMU community will be making guest appearances.

Callers may pledge money by dialing (507) 457-1615. In 2005, the duo raised $500; the total tripled to nearly $1,500 last year; Hefel and Deml hope the donations continue to grow. The Scott and Jeff Show can be heard on SMU radio station, KSMR, 92.5-FM on the Saint Mary’s campus and 94.3-FM in Winona. Their regular show plays 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays.

Known for being “so bad they’re good,” the duo play music by Jimmy Buffett and Elton John in between their corny contests and bantering. For the radio-a-thon, the group will expand their music venue to play a variety of artists.

Students sleep outside to raise awareness of homeless

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University students will sleep in cardboard boxes tonight, April 17, during the annual shak-a-thon, part of Habitat for Humanity’s Act!Speak!Build! Week April 15-20.

Act!Speak!Build! Week is Habitat for Humanity’s national week of advocacy. Saint Mary’s Habitat group has planned a full week of activities to raise awareness about the millions of people who do not have adequate shelter to sleep.

The shak-a-thon will begin at 9 p.m. in the Plaza.

On Thursday at 4:40 p.m., students will meet at the Info Desk to participate in the Walk to Rally with Winona State students. Participants will walk from the Winona State campus to the Winona Habitat office downtown to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing in Winona and the surrounding areas.

On Friday at 3:30 p.m., students will meet at the info desk to do a can collection fundraiser.

For more information, e-mail habitat@smumn.edu.

SMU to host daily web updates of Japan trip

WINONA, Minn. — A contingent of Winona community members and students are traveling to Winona’s sister city, Misato, Japan, April 16-23.

Traveling to the East are 25 Winona middle and senior high school students, along with their parent/chaperones and WSHS assistant principal Kelly Sonsalla. Also attending are Winona City Councilman Tim Breza and Terrie Lueck, parent of a WSHS student and director of conferencing and camps at Saint Mary’s University.

Lueck will post live daily updates on a “Messages from Misato” website, located at www.smumn.edu/japan. Each day she will make a long distance call from Japan to Winona to leave messages, which can be heard on your computer or MP3 player. Also on the site are links to more information about Misato.

The trip, sponsored by District 861 and the City of Winona, will feature sightseeing, celebrations and ceremonies, as well as real-life experiences. Participants will come to a broader understanding of the culture of our sister city. Students will be placed in homes, where they will experience day-to-day life with their host families. Additionally, the group will watch sumo wrestling, visit temples, museums and a strawberry farm. A gift exchange and a new sister-city signing ceremony will take place at the Misato city hall as well.

A group of Misato delegates visited Winona in March. The group was hosted by SMU, where they participated in a fun night filled with swimming, ice skating and basketball. They also visited the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and went to a Timberwolves game.

Check the website daily to experience this unique trip along with the group.

Research symposium in biology April 20 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department and Biology Club will host the 34th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 20, in the Toner Student Center.

Undergraduates from Saint Mary’s, Winona State University and Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.,, will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will continue from 2:15 to 4 p.m.

At 1:15 p.m., a DVD presentation featuring Dr. Charles Muscoplat, vice president for Statewide Strategic Resource Development and McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair, will be held in Figliulo Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Dr. Muscoplat can no longer attend the symposium in person. His talk is titled: “Nutrigenomics: How the Chemicals and Genes in our Food Affect the Chemicals and Genes in our Body.”

The public is welcome to attend any of the presentations.

Senior art show to run April 15-May 12 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University senior art students will present the next art show, “emergence,” April 15 through May 12 at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. Artists displaying will include: Brytton Bjorngaard, Nicole Bohn, Anna Dehmer, Travis Hanson, Josh Kanuch, Dani Lynch, Jessica Ribish, Holly Schuh, Brian Stallone, Brian Stuck and Brittany Volz.

An opening reception will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15. The galleries — free and open to the public — are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in the Toner Student Center.





"Great, Great Grampa Pier" a charcoal drawing by Jessica Ribish.

“Full Bloom” in clay by Brytton Bjorngaard.

“Santa Daddy,” a pen and ink work by Anna Dehmer.

Research symposium in biology is April 20 at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department and Biology Club will host the 34th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 20, in the Toner Student Center.

Undergraduates from Saint Mary’s and from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.,, will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will continue from 2:15 to 4 p.m.

At 1:15 p.m., a DVD presentation featuring Dr. Charles Muscoplat, vice president for Statewide Strategic Resource Development and McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair, will be held in Figliulo Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Dr. Muscoplat can no longer attend the symposium in person. His talk is titled: “Nutrigenomics: How the Chemicals and Genes in our Food Affect the Chemicals and Genes in our Body.”

The public is welcome to attend any of the presentations.

SMU athletes invite area sixth-graders to learn more about track and field

WINONA, Minn. — Winona-area sixth-graders will have the opportunity to learn more about track and field from members of the Saint Mary’s University track team at Track and Field Day Sunday, April 15.

The event — planned for 1 to 3:30 p.m. — will be held in SMU’s Gostomski Fieldhouse. Participants will take part in four events including the 50-meter run, a relay, the long jump and the softball throw. A competition is also planned, and an awards ceremony will conclude the event. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Chartwells.

This event is free. Participants are encouraged to donate their used books for the Sigma Tau Delta Book Drive. Books will be sent overseas to schools in need.

For more information or to RSVP, call Tera Bollig at (507) 457-7108 or e-mail tmboll03@smumn.edu.

Student History Research Symposium is April 21 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Seniors from four area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 21, at Saint Mary’s University. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University of La Crosse, and Winona State University.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Peter Rachleff, professor of history at Macalester College in St. Paul, will highlight the value of historical thinking for citizens of a democracy in his presentation, “Comparing Freedom Movements: Lessons from the U.S. and South Africa.” Dr. Rachleff focuses his research and teaching on labor history and on the history of racism and the struggle against racial oppression. He recently contributed to the Science Museum of Minnesota’s on-going exhibit called “Race: Are we so different?”
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Saint Mary’s University and Winona State University have co-sponsored a student research symposium for eight years. This year they welcome UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University into their collaboration. Each school asks senior history majors, and at Winona State, law and society majors, to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process, deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. At 9:15 a.m., students will present their research in concurrent sessions of three students each. At 10:15 a.m., a complimentary brunch will be served in the Common Room, followed by Dr. Rachleff’s talk at 10:30 a.m. A second session of concurrent panels will begin at 11:45 a.m.

For further information, contact Dr. Greg Gaut, Department of History, Saint Mary’s University, at (507) 457-6944 or ggaut@smumn.edu.

Richard to discuss ecofeminism in American Literature April 26

WINONA, Minn. — Holly Richard, director of the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute at Saint Mary’s University, will present “Heed Her Cry: The Paradox of Ecofeminism in Contemporary American Literature” Thursday, April 26, at Saint Mary’s University.

The event — free and open to the public — will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the President’s Room of the Toner Student Center. Refreshments will be served. The evening is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society. For more information, contact Dr. Carolyn Ayers at (507) 457-1523 or cayers@smumn.edu.

SMU Theatre Arts Department to stage ‘Company’

WINONA, Minn. — A 35-year-old die-hard bachelor will explore the pitfalls and the pleasures of relationships in the beloved musical “Company” April 20-23 at Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre.

Under the direction of Judy Myers, the SMU Department of Theatre Arts will stage the abundantly quirky comedy, based on the book by George Furth and filled with an energetic score of Stephen Sondheim’s best-known songs including “Another Hundred People,” “Ladies Who Lunch,” and “Being Alive.”
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Set in New York, “Company” tells the story of five couples and their mutual friend Robert. Robert, turning 35 at the beginning of the show, seems to have everything: good looks, charm, and a great sense of humor. Nevertheless, he is still blissfully single.

In a series of vignettes presented through Robert’s eyes, we see the couples fight, argue, plan for divorce, and in the end, love each other. Robert begins to realize that being alone is not really being “alive” and that although relationships are rarely picture-perfect, life is better when there’s someone to share it with.

Kit Mayer serves as scenic designer, Janis Martin as costume designer and Walter Claassen as lighting designer.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday, April 20, 21 and 23. A matinee performance will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22.

Tickets are $8, $6 for students and seniors, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, during regular office hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU students host Kids Carnival at the mall April 14 to raise money for Ready Set School

WINONA, Minn. — Children can win prizes while raising money for a good cause during this year's Kids Carnival Saturday, April 14, at the Winona Mall.

This event — sponsored annually by the Public Relations/Business Club of Saint Mary's University — will be held 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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Children ages 2 through 10 are invited to join the fun and games. Highlights include a fishing game, reading corner, basketball shoot and bucket ball toss, face painting, arts and crafts, and many other games. Children will earn a prize at every activity. Additionally, children will have the opportunity to meet the SMU Cardinal Mascot “Big Red.”

A $1 donation is requested for a set of 10 tickets, and each game requires one ticket. All proceeds will be donated to Ready Set School, a group that helps ensure that all Winona County children have the basic and necessary supplies and clothing for school. Every year more than 1,800 Winona County children lack these necessities, and Ready Set School is a community partnership dedicated to helping Winona County children get the basic necessities to succeed in school.

Local student elected to student senate at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — The following students were elected to the student senate executive board at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota for the upcoming school year.

Student senate president: John Freeman, son of Mike and Joann Freeman of Aurora, Ill.
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Vice president for academic affairs: Erin O’Keefe, daughter of Dennis and Kate O’Keefe of Park City, Utah, first semester; Lisa Mahler, daughter of William and Linda Mahler of Bataria, Ill., second semester.

Vice president for financial affairs: Rick McCoy, son of Louis Jr. and Margaret McCoy of West St. Paul.

Vice president for social affairs: Ana Sontag, daughter of Michael and Yvonne Sontag of Minneota, Minn.

Vice president for external affairs; Mary Gleich, daughter of Peter and Kathleen Gleich of St. Paul.

Vice president for campus life: Katie O’Connor, daughter of Michael and Pat O’Connor of Orland Park, Ill.

Vice president for student life: Michael Alexander Downes-Borowski, son of Michael Borowski and Marylou Downes of Dellwood, Minn.

Vice president for media communications: D.J. Prideaux, son of Douglas and Peggy Prideaux of Eden Prairie, Minn.

Executive assistant: Julia Jergenson, daughter of Milton and Kristine Jergenson of Houston, Minn.