NCAA honors SMU athletes for volunteer flood work

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of three schools to receive this year’s National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators awards honoring community-service projects and activities.

Saint Mary’s athletes were recognized for their efforts to aid flood victims in Minnesota.

SMU, along with York College of Pennsylvania and Stevens Institute of Technology each will receive $1,000 contributions to their general scholarship funds as recipients of NADIIIAA/Jostens Community Service Awards for projects during the 2007-08 academic year.

Ten other institutions also earned recognition in the program, which has honored Division III athletics programs’ community-service efforts annually since 2002. All of the institutions will be recognized during January by NADIIIAA at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.

Saint Mary’s is a category winner for the first time as this year’s honoree for a one-time project or activity. SMU student-athletes returned to campus from summer vacation in August 2007 to find that the university’s field house was serving as an emergency shelter for victims of flooding in southeastern Minnesota. The Saint Mary’s student-athlete advisory committee, which already had begun planning an event designed to increase camaraderie among the school’s athletics teams, shifted efforts to aiding the flood victims.

In collaboration with Volunteer Services, nearly 200 student-athletes and their coaches collected food and water for flood-relief volunteers, and many of those student-athletes fanned out to nearby communities to clean up and repair homes and to help restore a state park. The student-athletes were credited by a relief worker with saving homeowners weeks of clean-up work while demonstrating compassion for flood victims.

To read more about SMU athletes’ flood-relief efforts, go to www.smumn.edu/floodcleanup.

The awards are presented in cooperation with the program’s exclusive sponsor, Jostens Inc. of Minneapolis, whose products include yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, school photography, and employee and achievement awards.

Winona Cross Country Ski Day planned for Jan. 3 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — The Environmental Awareness Center at Saint Mary’s University is hosting a Winona Cross Country Ski Day Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Individuals and families are encouraged to come out to participate in this fun winter sport and to experience miles and miles of the most pristine and finest groomed ski trails in southern Minnesota.

Experience is not necessary; beginners and experts alike are welcome!

There is no cost for this event. Skis, boots and poles will be provided and members of the Winona High School Cross Country Ski Team will be on hand to instruct skiers on the basics of classical cross-country skiing.

The Environmental Awareness center is located next to the clock tower on the SMU campus. Turn left at the first stop sign as you enter the campus.

Contact Brother John Grover at (507) 457-1404 for more information.

15 honored through Saint Mary’s Employee Recognition Program

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University employees Suzanne Deranek, Sally Dotterwick, JoAnn Frahm, Nicole Gerdes, Aubrey Hollnagel, Sarah Kay, Mary Kosel, Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, Katherine Pederson, Kenneth Pellegrini, Megan Radke, Joy Rockwell, Adam Stasica, Carol Tarras and Ronald Weimer were recognized during the university’s annual Christmas dinner Dec. 16.

The Saint Mary’s University Employee Recognition Program honors employees whose superior job performance has contributed to the university’s overall growth. Through these annual awards, Saint Mary’s acknowledges the key role these individuals have in the successful operation of the university.

Saint Mary’s to feature two unique realist artists

"Dogs of the Empire" by artist Jason Bronner

"A Brief History," featuring artist Larry Holmes

WINONA, Minn. — The unique work of two vastly different artists — Larry Holmes and Jason Bronner — will be displayed inside the Saint Mary’s University Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries Jan. 6 through Feb. 6.

Holmes, a realist painter, uses an overhead perspective when creating his pieces, which highlight textural beauty by positioning inanimate objects like shells or statues beside flowers or animals. Holmes’ exhibit, “A Brief History,” features a number of oil paintings depicting mosaics. “The concerns that I have in my work range from the formal to the fanciful with several issues between the two extremes,” he said, adding that his work “has come to be largely about the psychology of what is depicted and the gaps that this subsequently leaves for the viewer to fill. Ultimately, I am creating pictorial situations that are intended to leave the audience amused or bemused (sometimes both) and to provide such experiences through what seem to be familiar genres, but are actually less so than what initial impressions might indicate.” Holmes is professor emeritus at the University of Delaware, Newark.

Through his exhibit, “Dogs of the Empire,” Bronner depicts scenes of dogs through charcoal drawings on paper, oil paintings on canvas, as well as digitally. In examining the dog’s competing roles as hunter, guardian and companion, Bronner’s work makes a political statement. “The title of this exhibition references two empires. One being that of the Roman Empire and the other being that of what has been called by many as the new Rome, the United States,” he said. “The dog can be a metaphor for the protective element of the government as well as the oppression of the state. The ancient Roman sculptures of dogs that are found in the Vatican … represent for me a romanticized idea of guardians and the positive protective power. If I apply this same concept to the U.S., the new Rome, I wonder if this canine in the 21st century has become feral and may not be a watchdog.” Bronner is associate professor of painting and drawing at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

The galleries are located in the Toner Student Center. Admission is free and open to the public, and gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call (507) 457-1652.

Family entertainer Red Grammer will perform at Saint Mary’s Jan. 13

WINONA, Minn. — Grammy-nominated family entertainer Red Grammer will bebop his way onto the Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre Stage at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Compelling audiences to share his totally infectious enthusiasm for music, Grammer will draw listeners (of all ages) into a world where children are intelligent, capable young adults, ready to “bebop their best.” Grammer playfully engages children in self-exploration, where honesty, responsibility, integrity, and being kind and fair are the central messages in a rocking, bopping, swinging series of songs.

With a playful, good-natured character, Grammer is a young-at-heart, premier entertainer of children and families. Parents Magazine has described Red as “the best voice in children's music.” Having been featured on “The Today Show,” “CBS This Morning,” Nickelodeon, Showtime, PBS, and his own Disney Channel concert special, Grammer is practiced in lifting the spirits of families across the United States. He has set the gold standard for writing and performing music that playfully reconnects each one of us with the best in ourselves.

Tickets for the Page Series performance are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from the Minnesota Arts Board, General Mills Foundation, and Land O’Lakes Foundation.

Saint Mary’s biology students awarded research scholarships

Saint Mary’s University biology students, from left, Maria Borgerson, Nicole Haese, Ben Linder, Melanie Tyler and Lori Brunner, received Beta Beta Beta research scholarships.

WINONA, Minn. — Six Saint Mary’s University biology students were recently awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships. To receive consideration for the scholarships, the students submitted a proposal for their senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students and their research advisors are Maria Borgerson (Dr. Debra Martin); Nicole Haese (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath); Ben Linder (Dr. Martin); Melanie Tyler (Dr. Martin); and Lori Brunner (Dr. Richard Kowles). Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta faculty advisor.

Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona hits record high; gifts due Dec. 12

WINONA, Minn. — The deadline is fast approaching to return gifts to the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees. Because the community distribution is early, gifts MUST be returned to giving trees by Dec. 12!

As a record number of individuals — more than 1,800 — have asked for help through this program this year, the deadline is even more of a priority, so that this large number of gifts may be properly sorted and recorded.

There’s still time to help! While you’re doing your holiday shopping, think about those less fortunate in our community who may not be able to afford presents.

In this spirit of giving, take time to purchase a gift for one (or more) of these 1,800 individuals (children to seniors) who have asked for our help this year. Trees are located at the Winona Public Library, Scrapper’s Haven, the three Wells Fargo Bank locations, the three Sinclair stations, the Winona Post, Affinity Plus, and Security State Bank in Lewiston.

You can make someone’s season merrier by taking a tag from one of the trees, shopping for the gift or gifts the person has listed on the tag, wrapping the gifts and returning the them to the tree where you got your tag. Donors are asked to spend about $30 per person.

Tax-deductible contributions can be made out to Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona and sent to 700 Terrace Heights #8, Winona, Minn., 55987.

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona depends upon the generosity of our community, which has been very gracious in years past. The program’s other community sponsors — Wells Fargo Bank, Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services, — want to make sure no one goes home empty handed.

Saint Mary’s hosts pianist George Winston Dec. 19

WINONA, Minn. — Solo pianist George Winston will fill Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre with the sounds of the transcendent beauty of nature and the changing seasons, as well as a tribute to New Orleans musicians on Friday, Dec. 19.

His 7:30 p.m. performance, part of the Page Series, will also draw attention to the Winona Volunteer Services Food Shelf. A food drive is held at all of Winston’s concerts. Attendees are asked to bring canned goods and nonperishable food to the show; drop-off areas will be set up in the lobby.

Winston, best known for his melodic rural folk piano style, will play selections from his latest CD, “Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions-A Hurricane Relief Benefit,” as well as from his melodic seasonal recordings including “December” and “Winter Into Spring.”

In 1972, Winston released his first solo album, “Ballads and Blues;” he currently has 11 solo albums. His musical genre ranges from New Orleans R&B piano to stride piano and folk piano. George has performed more than 2,500 concert dates, with more than 3 million tickets sold.

Tickets for the Page Theatre performance are $25, $20 for seniors and students, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Enjoy dinner and a show. Chartwells Catering will provide a pre-show dinner in the Toner Student Center. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Regular dinners cost $20 and include chicken, beef and vegetarian options, water, milk, coffee, tea, vegetable, and dessert. Children's dinners cost $12 and include mac-n-cheese or chicken fingers with French fries, water, milk, vegetable, gelatin cup, and two cookies. Dinner tickets are also available at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s University choirs to present ‘Lessons & Carols'

Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The performance — a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through sung and spoken word — will held at Chapel of Saint Mary’s of the Angels, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Music will include some familiar carols, as well as selections by Byrd, Hassler, Rutter, Nystedt, Mozart, and a variety of other composers from Renaissance to the present.

The concert will feature the premiere of “Ovejita,” a setting of a Lorca poem in English translation by composer William Neil. The setting is for women’s voices and harp, and harpist Elinor Niemisto will join the women of the Concert Choir for the premiere. Neil's composition, along with a major work in preparation for the 2009 SMU Spring Choir Concert, is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Tickets are available online through Dec. 1.

SMU Concert Band to give holiday concert Dec. 7

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Band will present a multi-cultural holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. Cecilia Theater, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

Under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the band will perform Polish music composed by John de Meii, Russian Christmas music by Alfred Reed, and a Chanukah Celebration written by David Bobrowitz and Kenneth Soper. In addition, SMU student conductors will lead the band in two arrangements. “Away in a Manger,” composed by Chip Davis and adapted for concert band by Robert Longfield, will be directed by Ryan Ballanger; “Variations on Deck the Halls,” arranged by Robert W. Smith, will be conducted by Gosia Paidosh.

The music will continue to flow after the formal concert. A Christmas cookie reception in the lobby will include lively jazzy carols, a brass quintet, a flute choir and a clarinet ensemble.

Tickets are $10, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Online orders are available until Dec. 1.

SMU jazz combos to perform Dec. 4 at Acoustic Café

WINONA, Minn. — Three jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven of the Saint Mary’s University Music Department, will present a free concert Thursday, Dec. 4, at Acoustic Café in downtown Winona.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester. The performance serves as their “final exam.”

The show will include jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis, as well as some unique arrangements by Heukeshoven of popular jazz tunes blended with familiar Christmas melodies.

Visiting Palestinian prof to speak at SMU about West Bank Life

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. Muna Matar, a computer science professor from Bethlehem University in Palestine, will speak on “Daily Life in Bethlehem: The Israeli Occupation” on Thursday, Dec. 4, at Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Matar’s presentation will run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Salvi Hall (Room 335) in Saint Mary’s Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Matar is a visiting scholar in residence at Saint Mary’s University during fall semester. She is teaching courses on “Women in the Middle East” at both Saint Mary’s University and Winona State University. Dr. Matar lives in Beit Jala, a small city near Bethlehem. After graduating from Bethlehem University with a degree in mathematics, she earned a M.A. in Computer Science from Oregon State University and a doctorate from the University of Ghent in Belgium.

The Palestinian cities of Beit Jala and Bethlehem are part of the West Bank territories occupied by Israel after the 1967 war. For Palestinians, daily life in the occupied territories involves coping with checkpoints, the Israeli barrier wall that divides communities, and the growing number of Israeli settlements.

Bethlehem University is a Catholic institution in the Lasallian tradition, which has been serving students of all faith traditions since 1973. Dr. Matar’s visit is the result of the close association between Saint Mary’s University and Bethlehem University, both of which are led by the De La Salle Christian Brothers.

Dance Repertory Company presents ‘The Nutcracker’

WINONA, Minn. — The Dance Repertory Company of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts — in association with Merchants Bank — will present the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” Dec. 4-7.

Heralding the message of peace on earth, “The Nutcracker” is performed around the globe during the holiday season. Producing this delightful ballet every other holiday season, the Dance Repertory Company once again brings this magical experiences to the Winona-area community for its fifth biennial production.

The 2008 cast includes 100 members — including students from Saint Mary’s University, Winona State University, and children and community members from the Winona area. In addition to beautiful dancing, this year’s production will feature a special choral performance by MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers at the conclusion of Act I in the Land of Snow.

Through this ballet, the beauty of the pure, young heart shines bright in a world of dancing dolls, angels, and, of course, the wonderful magical Nutcracker Prince. In the dreams of a child named Clara, a battle wages between a band of mice and a company of toy soldiers. With Clara’s assistance, the toy soldiers are victorious and grateful. The Nutcracker Prince welcomes her to the Land of Snow where they dance with the angels, and to the Kingdom of the Sweets, hosted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, where she sees a beautiful array of ethnic dances such as Spanish Coffee, Chinese Tea, and Russian Baba.

“The Nutcracker” performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, through Saturday, Dec. 6, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre. The Dec. 4-6 evening performances are recommended for children ages 5 and older. The Sunday, Dec. 7, afternoon performance is considered a “family event” and children ages 2 and older are welcome. At this time, the Page Theatre/SMU Performance Center facilities and programs are not equipped to serve the needs of infants.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens and are available at the Saint Mary’s University Box Office at (507) 457-1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.pagetheatre.org. Online ticket orders are only available through Dec. 1.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.

Student art on display at SMU through Dec. 12

“Hungry?” — a photograph by Keisha Harcey — is one of several pieces on display for the 2008 Undergraduate Art Show at Saint Mary’s University. The show is not limited to art majors, but is open to any SMU art student. A variety of artwork is on display Nov. 13 through Dec. 12 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sister Margaret Mear at mmear@smumn.edu.


This linoleum print by Mariana Sanchez del Castillo is part of the 2008 Undergraduate Art Show at Saint Mary's University. The show, currently on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, includes photographs, drawings and prints.

Giving trees go up Nov. 19 for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees will be going up Nov. 19. This communitywide program — in its seventh year — provides gifts to less-fortunate families during the holiday season.

Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, will be placed on area giving trees beginning next week.

Trees will be located at: the three Sinclair Stations, the Winona Public Library, Scrapper’s Haven, Affinity Plus Credit Union, the Winona Post, as well as all three Wells Fargo Bank locations in Winona.

Individuals who want to help make someone’s season a littler merrier should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, and return the wrapped gift/s by Dec. 12 to the tree where they obtained the tag/s. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $30 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents. As the gift distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well. The success of this program depends on the generosity of the Winona-area community.

For more information, call the Gifts for Winona line at (507) 457-8719. Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona partners include Wells Fargo Bank, Winona Post, Winona Radio, and Winona Volunteer Services.

Jazz groups, Batucada joint performance is Nov. 21 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University jazz ensembles will join forces with the percussion ensemble Batucada Nossa Senhora for an evening of rhythmic jazz and unique ethnic sounds p.m. Friday, Nov. 21.

The joint concert, planned for 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, combines the talents of the 18-piece Jazz Ensemble and 12-member Batucada ensemble. The SMU Jazz Combo, featuring five student soloists, will also perform. Dr. John Paulson directs the jazz groups and Denny McGuire directs Batucada Nossa Senhora (translated as “percussion ensemble of our lady”).

The big band will feature the world premiere of Dr. Paulson’s “Drop Off Blues.” This piece stretches the boundaries of traditional blues arrangements by giving each section in the band a challenging “soli” part, as well as ample space for individual soloists. Also included in the jazz ensemble set will be a Basie-style ballad “Nice and Easy,” written and arranged by Jeff Taylor; “Carnival Del Sol,” a lively jazz samba by Dean Sorenson; Dizzy Gillespie’s famous “Manteca”; bebop trumpeter Lee Morgan's ever popular “Sidewinder”; and “Spring Cleaning” by Maynard Ferguson alumnus Matt Harris (featuring music faculty member Eric Heukeshoven on piano). Jazz Combo I will be performing A.C. Jobim’s well-known bossa nova “Triste” and Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue.” The jazz groups will combine with the Batucada percussionists to ignite the rhythmic excitement of the concert’s Latin-jazz style pieces.

Student soloists in the jazz groups include: Twin Cities tenor saxophonist Ryan Ballanger; baritone saxophonist Ben Scott and trombonist Tom Briese, both from Rochester; and alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams of Little Falls.

Batucada Nossa Senhora will perform styles from the Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian traditions, as well as a drum medley from Ghana in West Africa.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org. For more information on the event, contact Dr. Paulson at (507) 457-1596 or jpaulson@smumn.edu.

Next semester, Saint Mary’s will host a mini-residency with world-renowned saxophonist David Liebman. Watch for information on workshops and concerts planned for April 16-17, 2009. This project is funded by a grant from the Kaplan Foundation and the SMU Music Department.

SMU High School Challenge results announced

WINONA, Minn. — Four area schools earned the right to advance Saturday, Nov. 8, in the second weekend of Saint Mary's University High School Challenge. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

The following schools competed in Round 1B Nov. 8 and are moving onto the Consolation Championship: Holmen White and Seneca. Moving on to the Super Challenge are Onalaska and Eau Claire Regis Green. Other competing schools were Lewiston, Viroqua, Eau Claire Regis White and Weston.

The tournament will wrap-up its first round with Round 1C, starting at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, in the World Room, located in Saint Mary’s Hendrickson Center. The public is welcome to attend.

The following schools will participate in Round 1C: Holmen Maroon, La Crosse Aquinas, Melrose-Mindoro, Decorah, West Salem Black, West Salem Orange, Cotter, Osseo-Fairchild, Hope Lutheran, Alma Center Lincoln, Bangor, and Eau Claire North.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return for the Consolation Championship games Saturday, Dec 6. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return for the Super Challenge Championship Saturday, Feb. 21. The final eight games of Round 1 are taped at Saint Mary’s and televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

The following schools competed in Round 1A Oct. 11 and are also moving onto the Consolation Championship: La Crosse Central, Logan White and Riceville (IA). Moving on to the Super Challenge are La Crescent, Logan Red and Winona Senior High Orange. Other competing schools were Caledonia, Blair-Taylor, North Crawford, and Youth Initiati¬ve.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average. Each scholarship is renewable for three consecutive years provided the student remains in good standing and maintains a 2.8/4.0 cumulative grade point average.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at (507) 457-1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

Winona Area Youth Singers’ inaugural concert is Nov. 23

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS) in “Musical Menagerie,” an inaugural concert, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

WAYS members are students in grades three through six from the Winona area. The youth choir started in September of this year and has been rehearsing a variety of choral material. The program features music about animals, including German and American folk songs; a familiar hymn text; and modern compositions, both serious and humorous.

“We’re very excited to be presenting our first performance,” said Lindsy O’Shea, WAYS director. “The singers have been working very hard, and their enthusiasm and talent will make it a great concert. We hope that the performance will encourage other young singers to join us next semester.”

WAYS members include: Alexa Akre, Shea Alcamo, Philippa Armstrong, Andrew Behling, Taylor Cada, Libby Crigler, Kate Dulak, Korto Greene, Trinity Hougin, Justine Meinke and Lucy Wilfahrt. The WAYS assistant conductor is Jeff David, and Anthony Freeman serves as accompanist.

Reserved tickets are not necessary. Admission is $5 (cash or check only) at the door.

In addition to its inaugural concert, WAYS will be featured in the snow scene with MCA’s Dance Repertory Company in “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 4-7), will perform a spring concert second semester, and will participate in community outreach by performing at nursing homes and for other charitable events.

WAYS is the official youth choir of the Minnesota Conservator for the Arts. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic and educational programs for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances.

For more information about WAYS or MCA’s other performing arts programming, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5501.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.

SMU guest pianists to give free recital Saturday

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University guest pianists Dr. Mary Ellen Haupert and Dr. Timothy Schorr will present a four-hand piano recital at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Admission is free. The program includes works by Corigliano, Gottschalk, Beach and Barber.

Dr. Schorr is a strong advocate of both solo and collaborative piano literature from all musical periods. His performance credits in the United States and Europe include Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, numerous university guest artist concerts, and concerto appearances. He frequently adjudicates, presents workshops, and gives master classes, and has authored and edited publications for Keyboard Companion Magazine and Hal Leonard Publishing. Dr. Schorr completed graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and earned a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Eastern Illinois University. He is currently associate professor of music at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., where he serves as Music Department chair and coordinator of Applied Piano & Pedagogy.

Mary Ellen Haupert divides her time between music directorship at Roncalli Newman Parish and teaching duties as assistant professor of music at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. An avid chamber musician, Dr. Haupert has enjoyed frequent appearances with the Artaria String Quartet, as well as a rewarding collaboration with Dr. Schorr. Since their first concert two years ago, the two have performed four-hand programs at Washington University in St. Louis, Winona State University, and University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. They were also featured on Wisconsin Public Radio’s broadcast of “LIVE from the CHAZEN” in February 2006. Dr. Haupert holds a Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and graduated summa cum laude from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Area high schools competing in SMU High School Challenge

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge kicked off its 38th season with Round 1A on Saturday, Oct. 11. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum. Competition resumes with Round 1B, starting at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, in the World Room, located in SMU’s Hendrickson Center. The public is welcome to attend.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average. Each scholarship is renewable for three consecutive years provided the student remains in good standing and maintains a 2.8/4.0 cumulative grade point average.

The following schools competed in Round 1A Oct. 11 and are moving onto the Consolation Championship on Saturday, Dec. 6: La Crosse Central, Logan White and Riceville (IA). Moving on to the Super Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 21, are La Crescent, Logan Red and Winona Senior High Orange. Other competing schools were Caledonia, Blair-Taylor, North Crawford, and Youth Initiati¬ve.

The following schools will participate in Round 1B on Nov. 8: Lewiston-Altura, Onalaska, Holmen White, Viroqua, Eau Claire Regis Green, Eau Claire Regis White, Seneca and Weston.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return for the Super Challenge Championship. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at (507) 457-1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona application deadline is Nov. 14

WINONA, Minn. – Anyone who needs help obtaining holiday gifts for their family should pick up a Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona application through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Semcac, Winona Area Learning Center, Winona County Community Health, Winona County Department of Human Services, Winona County Red Cross, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Workforce Center or Women’s Resource Center).

The deadline for applying is Friday, Nov. 14.

Through the generosity of the Winona-area community, this program assisted 1,566 people last year.

Other partners include Wells Fargo Bank, Winona Post, Winona Radio, and Winona Volunteer Services.

For more information, call the “Gifts for Winona” line at (507) 457-8719.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts to hold Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party fundraiser

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host the fifth biennial Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party on Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 1164 West 10th St.

Two tea sittings (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.), each with specialty teas and exquisite finger foods, will be offered. The Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique, featuring holiday gifts and crafts, will be available for the public's shopping pleasure from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

All children attending the tea party will receive a complimentary photo of themselves with their favorite live character from “The Nutcracker” Ballet. Additionally, storytelling of this favorite holiday classic will be held in the Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique during shopping hours.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea party is the first big event of “The Nutcracker” production season for MCA and its youth performing troupe, the Dance Repertory Company. The company will present the full-length ballet Dec. 4-7 at Saint Mary's University’s Page Theatre. This year’s cast of 100 includes students from Saint Mary’s University, Winona State University, and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas. For tickets to the production, call (507) 457-1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party serves as a fundraiser for MCA; all proceeds go toward production costs for “The Nutcracker.”

For tickets to the tea sittings or for more information about the gift boutique, call (507) 453-5501. Tickets are $15. The Valéncia Arts Center is handicapped accessible.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.

Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre takes the summer off

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University has announced that the Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre will not present a season of shows in 2009. Michael Charron, dean of the School of the Arts, said the university is stepping back to evaluate its professional summer theatre program, “given the current economic climate and the saturation of the arts market in Winona.”

GCST is a professional summer stock program produced in collaboration with the Saint Mary's School of the Arts.

Charron said the first two seasons of GCST featured “wonderful shows, and talented actors and directors. It was a grand experience for everyone involved.”

He added that the university plans to whole-heartedly support local endeavors such as the Shakespeare and Beethoven festivals, as well as the many community theatre productions in the area. “We're also leaving open all possibilities for the future,” he said.

Judy Myers, GCST artistic director and SMU theatre arts faculty member, thanked the community for its support. “Gilmore Creek was tremendous fun,” she said. “It provided a wonderful opportunity for budding theatre professionals, and was certainly of great value for the community. I look forward to continuing my involvement in other Winona performing arts activities.”

Author to discuss ‘Hmong in America’ Nov. 6 at Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Kao Kalia Yang, author of the memoir, The Latehomecomer, will be reading from her book about her family’s experience in Laos during the Vietnam War, in refugee camps in Thailand, and, now, as American citizens in St. Paul. The presentation about “Hmong in America” begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in the SMU President’s Room, located in the Toner Student Center. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Lasallian Honors Program, School of Humanities, and the Departments of English and History. For more information, contact Dr. Jenny Shanahan at (507) 457-6607.

Excerpt from The Latehomecomer, from Coffee House Press:

Before babies are born they live in the sky where they fly among the clouds. The sky is a happy place and calling babies down to earth is not an easy thing to do. From the sky, babies can see the course of human lives.

This is what the Hmong children of my generation are told by our mothers and fathers, by our grandmothers and grandfathers.

They teach us that we have chosen our lives. That the people who we would become we had inside of us from the beginning, and the people whose worlds we share, whose memories we hold strong inside of us, we have always known.

From the sky, I would come again.

SMU to host free cello recital Sunday

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University will host a free cello recital by guest artist Kirsten Whitson at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Performance Center. This recital is unusual in that it will be performed without piano. Whitson plays regularly with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The program includes Jean Louis Duport’s “Concert Etude #1”; Chinary Ung’s “Khse Buon”; Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Suite # 6 in D Major”; and Mark O'Connor’s, “Appalchia Waltz.”

Whitson also performs with the Milwaukee Symphony and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra in Jackson, Wyo. Whitson maintains a private teaching studio in St. Paul and has taught at McPhail Center for the Arts, Indiana University, Carroll College and in a fishing village in Norway. She has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan and Cuba with Minnesota Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony and the Bergen Philharmonic. As a chamber musician she played with the Koan Quartet in Minneapolis from 2000-2003 and the Morini String Quartet in Milwaukee from 1994-1999.

She has a Bachelor of Music and an Artist Diploma from Indiana University where she was awarded a coveted Performer's Certificate. Her principal teachers were Fritz Magg, Wolfgang Laufer and Janos Starker. Whitson studied chamber music with Leonard Hokanson, Menahem Pressler and the Fine Arts Quartet. She was a recipient of a 2002 Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship to study improvisation and has collaborated in this field with dancers from the James Sewell Ballet. The exploration into improvisation led to her commissioning a cello and piano piece by McKnight-winning composer Carl Witt. It premiered in 2008.

SMU Oldie Moldies to perform at Signatures Nov. 14

WINONA, Minn. — Catch dinner and a show with the Oldie Moldie All-Stars from Saint Mary’s University on Friday, Nov. 14, at Visions Event Center.

Rock along to your favorite ’50s, ’60s and ’70s tunes, while you enjoy a menu of garden salad, pan-seared Canadian walleye fillet, wild rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, caper tarter sauce, rolls and butter, and a mini banana split.

The Oldies are members of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Saint Mary’s. The group consists of 12 talented and engaging singers and band members. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.; the Oldies will perform two sets, one at 6:30 p.m., and a second at 7:45 p.m.

The price for the dinner and show is $30 per person; reservations can be made by calling Signatures at (507) 454-3767. Payment is accepted at time of reservation. The reservation deadline is Nov. 12.

Visions Event Center is located at Signatures Restaurant, 22852 County Road 17 in Pleasant Valley.

113 Saint Mary’s students volunteer locally for ‘Make a Difference Day’

Chris Stanish moves building materials to help out a Minnesota City family during Make a Difference Day Saturay, Oct. 25.

Saint Mary’s University students Sara Clements and Tim Wojcicki raked leaves at a Minnesota City residence as part of the annual Make a Difference Day.

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” 113 Saint Mary’s University students volunteered their time on Saturday, Oct. 25, throughout Winona and the surrounding area. Students raked leaves, painted, stacked lumber, cleaned sheds and assisted individuals and organizations in numerous other ways.

Volunteers helped at St. Anne Hospice, the Catholic Worker Home, Valleyview Towers, Living Light Church, Winona Arms, the Winona Family Community Center, all three grocery stores (with the 10 Days of Giving), Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Saint Mary’s Parish, and individual homes of seniors, as well as homes affected by flooding in the Minnesota City area.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who participated.

Saint Mary’s University expands program to make private college accessible to more families

WINONA, Minn. – By expanding its Brother James Miller Program for Access, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is making a private college education affordable to even more students and families.

Through the innovative program, Saint Mary’s guarantees that the total cost for qualified freshmen will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (including tuition, room, meals and fees).

Most lower-income families will also qualify for federal and state aid to further reduce their expenses.

The U of M was chosen for comparison because it is Minnesota’s flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools.

When the Brother James Miller Program was introduced in 2007, the adjusted gross income (AGI) limit for qualifying families was $75,000. For freshmen enrolling in fall 2009, Saint Mary’s will expand the program to include families with up to $100,000 AGI.

Over a four-year period, the estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Program for Access will exceed $50,000 per student. For 2009-10, Saint Mary’s has allocated more than $4,300,000 to fund this program as well as other freshman scholarships and grants.

“We’re excited to offer this guarantee,” said Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission. “The current economic climate is challenging to many families. Some students whose parents are in the low- to middle-income range do not consider attending private schools -- even Saint Mary’s, where costs are lower than most Minnesota private colleges. They believe it is not affordable, despite the available grants and financial aid.”

Brother William Mann, president, said, “As a Lasallian institution, Saint Mary’s tradition is to make quality education accessible and affordable, with special sensitivity to economically challenged families. We’re proud of the quality education SMU offers,” he said, “including the highly individualized attention students receive to better achieve their educational goals. With the expanded Brother James Miller Program for Access, even more students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Mary’s.”

The aid program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary’s graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982.

To qualify for the Brother James Miller Program for Access, students must be entering freshmen in fall 2009, have parental adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, be dependent of parent(s), have a “B” average, and meet other requirements.

Check www.smumn.edu/access for details, or call SMU Admission at (800) 635-5987.

Saint Mary’s rugby team takes Div. III Minnesota championship

The Saint Mary's Rugby Club Division III State Champions

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University rugby team won the Div. III Minnesota state tournament on Oct. 18 and 19 in Eagan.

The Saint Mary’s club entered the four-team tournament with a 4-0 season record. The men’s team finished the weekend 6-0 and celebrated its first Minnesota state championship.

Other clubs competing included St. Olaf College, Bemidji State University, and Minnesota State University-Moorhead.

In its first game on Saturday, SMU controlled play for much of the second half to defeat Saint Olaf, 43-12.

On Sunday, the championship game matched SMU against Bemidji State. SMU scored a five-point try but missed the two-point conversion kick, while Bemidji scored two tries and one conversion to lead at the half, 12-5. Saint Mary’s dominated the scrums and rucks of the second half, aggressively running and passing the ball on its way to a 22-19 victory.

The Saint Mary’s team includes Eric Anthaney, Josh Barrett, T.J. Bollis, D.J. Brey, Joe Bush, Ryan Bush, Brian Driscoll, Marty Erfort, Joseph Haynes, Dustan Hoffman, Paul Lambert, Gerry Lentino, Dan Lewis, Andrew Noyes, John O'Malley, Nick Powers, Stewart Schuster, Ryan Soukup, Jack Sullivan, Kevin Sweeney, Mitch Swartout, James Tandberg, Jesse Valdez, Kevin Voris and Anthony Wolfe.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘Playhouse Creatures’ Nov. 6-9

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre Arts will stage the racy historical drama “Playhouse Creatures” Nov. 6-9.

Set in 1669, a bawdy and troublesome time, “Playhouse Creatures,” by April DeAngelis details a time when theatres have just reopened after 17 years of Puritan suppression. With this surge in theatrical activity, comes a new British novelty — the actress. Too often the lines between actress and prostitute become obscured as these women walked a tightrope between admiration and derision.

Directed by Dr. Steven Bouler, “Playhouse Creatures” captures the pioneering struggles of these extraordinary women, including six of the most famous — Nell Gwyn, Elizabeth Farley, Rebecca Marshall, Elizabeth Barry, Doll Common and Mary Betterton.

Saint Mary's is pleased to present this tale of theatrical heroism and perseverance in this moving, and often comic, account of the precarious lives of Restoration actresses. Please note that this play contains adult language and situations.

“Playhouse Creatures” begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. All performances will be held in the Academy Theatre of the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 1164 West 10th St.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

‘Horrible Harry’ goes from page to stage at Saint Mary’s University Wednesday, Nov. 5

WINONA, Minn. – Harry may be horrible, but audiences are sure to find his transition from page to stage entertaining when the Omaha Theater Company presents “Horrible Harry” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre.

This brand new theatrical production of author Suzy Kline’s popular children’s books “Horrible Harry in Room 2B” and “Horrible Harry Moves Up to Third Grade,” was adapted for the stage by Omaha Theater Company Artistic Director James Larson and will captivate children ages 4 to 12, as well as entertain audiences of any age.

The meaning of “double revenge” will become clear as spectators get a double dose of Harry’s antics as a school-aged prankster who is transitioning between grades. Doug, Harry’s best friend, frequently speaks to the audience, giving an inside look at Miss Mackle’s classroom. The production follows Harry, Doug, Sidney, Song Lee, Miss Mackle and the rest of the class from room 2B to room 3B, with amusing moments all along the way.

Kline’s vivid characters will take audiences on a lighthearted ride through a hilarious, prank-ridden storyline that will make everyone realize that maybe Harry isn’t so horrible after all.

In addition to Harry’s mischievous shenanigans, the audience will experience a clever rendition of a Thanksgiving play and a class field trip to the aquarium, brought to life by the clever stage design for “Horrible Harry.” Harry and friends move from Room 2B to recess to the bus to the aquarium and back again, without time for set changes, allowing Omaha Theater Company Set Designer Will Davis to skillfully combine all of the scenes into one set.

Tickets to this Page Series performance are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and available anytime online at www.pagtheatre.org, or by calling the Performance Center box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Omaha Theater Company’s national tour is sponsored by Children’s Hospital. Local sponsors include HBC and Winona Radio.

Winters named director of Saint Teresa Institute

Margaret “Peg” Winters has been named the director of the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women at Saint Mary’s University.

The Institute — in its fifth year at SMU — nurtures women’s leadership potential; encourages women to grow intellectually, socially, spiritually, and culturally; and celebrates personal integrity, excellence and service.

Winters has focused much of her professional career on educating and empowering young women. She has two decades of leadership experience through her work with the Girl Scouts; in 2004, she was named the CEO of the Girl Scout Council of River Trails, serving southeast Minnesota.

Most recently she worked as a Long Term Recovery coordinator for the United Way of Olmsted County, addressing resident recovery efforts in the seven-county region of southeast Minnesota that was impacted by flooding.

Winters earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Oklahoma and holds an Instructor of Trainers credential with Girl Scouts of the USA.

SMU Page Series to feature African song, dance Oct. 28

WINONA, Minn. — The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa will combine various African music styles into an explosion of color, sound and dance, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, on the Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theater stage.

Dressed in colorful costumes, the ensemble’s two-dozen musicians will blend together traditional African rhythms, instruments, folklore and mythology to create a beautiful musical performance. The ensemble incorporates authentic oral, musical and dance styles from African nations such as Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Benin, The Ivory Coast and Mauritania.

Past notable performers for the ensemble include singer Oumou Sangare and Toumany Diabate, the prince of Kora. The ensemble has performed many concerts around the world, including stops in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Antilles.

Tickets for the Page Theatre performance are $22, $18 for seniors, $18 for students, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Students celebrate National Chemistry Week, Olympic year during SMU Chemistry Nights

WINONA, Minn. — Many area high school juniors and seniors (and their teachers) will be experiencing the importance of chemistry in an athlete’s life via hands-on experiments during upcoming Chemistry Nights at Saint Mary’s University. Interested students are invited onto campus from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 23 and 30.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the SMU Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year students solve a challenging but fun chemical problem, based on the National Chemistry Week (Oct. 19-25) theme; this year’s theme is “Having a Ball with Chemistry – The Chemistry of Sports.”

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the SMU Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of SMU chemistry majors.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams that have the greatest success in solving the chemical problems arising within the sports area. Prizes will include SMU scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000.

The event is free, and there are still openings. Students who are interested should have their high school science teachers contact Dr. Jim Vogel at (507) 457-1558.

SMU to welcome students from Chicago San Miguel

WINONA, Minn. — Sixth-graders from the San Miguel School in Chicago are visiting the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University Oct. 19-23 and Oct. 26-30.

San Miguel is a Christian Brother’s mission school, part of a nationwide network of schools dedicated to teaching underserved populations of urban and rural school children. The Chicago school, located in a Mexican-American immigrant neighborhood, serves primarily children whose first language is Spanish, but they are also fluent in English.

The goals of the program are to acquaint these children with college life and begin to inspire them to consider post-secondary education. The program also gives Saint Mary’s students – particularly education students – the opportunity to work with urban children from another culture.

While in Winona these students stay with Saint Mary’s host families. The program has fostered a close relationship between San Miguel and Saint Mary’s. Many Saint Mary’s alums work or volunteer in the San Miguel Schools.

Get set to scream at annual Saint Mary's Walk of Horror

WINONA, Minn. — This year's Saint Mary's University Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 12th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23-25 and 30-31 in the SMU bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the SMU baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.

Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding the SMU campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

SMU head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears. Last year more than 1,000 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.
For more information, contact Miller at (507) 457-6923.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 27 at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the eighth annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 600 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life of Saint Mary’s.

Saint Mary’s, Viterbo to host Sylvia Nasar, author of ‘A Beautiful Mind’ as part of Global Citizenship Symposium

WINONA, Minn. — Professor Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind and First Knight Professor of Business Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, will speak at both Saint Mary’s University in Winona and Viterbo University in La Crosse at the end of October.

At Viterbo, her presentation on “Globalization Then and Now: Historical Parallels to Contemporary Events” will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre. At Saint Mary’s, her presentation on the same title, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Common Room, located in Saint Mary’s Hall. She writes, “What was true during the first wave of globalization in the 19th century is still true today. As Thomas Carlyle insisted in 1940, ‘What you have is less important than what you do with what you have.’ ” Both events are free and open to the public; no registration is required.

Nasar’s keynote presentation highlights the Global Citizenship Symposium, planned for Oct. 30-31 at SMU’s Common Room. The symposium is sponsored by the SMU Department of Social Sciences and Provost’s Office and is free and open to the public. Other universities participating and attending include Winona State University, Viterbo University and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Thursday, Oct. 30

Creating Sustainable Communities: Environmental Imperatives and Human Responses

11:30 a.m. — Land Stewardship Project, Lewiston, Minn.
12:15 p.m. — Lunch
1:15 p.m. — “Renewable Energy in Sustainable Development,” Pat Papachristou, Christian Brothers University, with Thomas Harris, UW-La Crosse, as discussant

Lasallian Perspectives on Global Citizenship: Meaning, Purpose and Practice

2:30 p.m. — “Lasallian Perspective on Global Citizenship: A Historical Review,” Richard Tristano, SMU; “Why Should I Care?: Student Responses to Darfur,” Stephen Pattee, SMU; “Bethlehem University,” Dorothy Diehl, SMU, with Joyce Altobelli, SMU, as discussant.


Friday, Oct. 31

Living Locally and Visioning Globally: Scholarship, Research, Performance and Service Regarding 21st Century Citizenship

10 a.m. — “Citizenship, diversity and community programs,” Project FINE of Winona
11 a.m. — “Global Trade,” David Lynch, Saint Mary’s
Noon — Lunch
1:15 — “Globalization of Crime,” Tim Kullman, UW-La Crosse
1:45 p.m. — “Globalization” open discussion with Cecilia Manrique, UW-La Crosse as discussant
2:15 p.m. — “Creating Community Within Profit-Centered Organizations: Pitfalls and Possibilities” open discussion with Jeff Hefel, SMU, as discussant.

Sylvia Nasar bio
Sylvia Nasar is the first James S. and John L. Knight Professor of Business Journalism at Columbia University and co-directs the M.A. program in business journalism with James B. Stewart, Bloomberg professor of business journalism, and Bruce Greenwald, the Robert Heilbrunn professor of finance and asset management at Columbia’s Graduate School of Business.
Nasar is the author of the bestselling biography, A Beautiful Mind, which has been published in 30 languages, including Farsi, Turkish, Russian and Hindi, and inspired the Academy Award-winning movie directed by Ron Howard (2001).

Trained as an economist, Professor Nasar was a New York Times economics correspondent (1991-1999), staff writer at Fortune (1983-1989) and columnist at U.S. News & World Report (1990). Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Newsweek, The New York Times Sunday Book Review, FastCompany, London Telegraph and numerous other publications. She has lectured frequently on topics ranging from globalization and economics to mental illness and mathematics. Professor Nasar co-edited The Essential John Nash (2001) and is currently writing a narrative history about 20th century economic thinkers titled Grand Pursuit.

She is the recipient of many honors including the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography (1998) and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in biography (1998). She has held visiting fellowships at the Russell Sage Foundation (2006-2007), the MacDowell Colony (2006), Yaddo (2005), the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (2002-2003, 1995-96); and Kings and Churchill Colleges, Cambridge University (2000). She has served as a judge for the National Book Award, Anthony Lucas Book Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, Dow Jones Newswires, and SABEW and serves on the advisory board of TeenScreen.

Nasar was born in Bavaria in 1947 to a German mother and Uzbek father. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1951 and lived in New York and Washington, D.C. before moving to Ankara, Turkey in 1960. In 1965, she returned to the U.S. on her own and attended Antioch College where she majored in literature. She also spent a year at the University of Munich. After working for several years, she entered the Ph.D. program in economics at New York University, completing a master's degree in 1976. For four years, she did research with Nobel Laureate Wassily Leontief at the Institute for Economic Analysis.

Saint Mary’s invites public to disc golf open Oct. 18

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University and Innova Disc Golf will co-sponsor a public disc golf tournament Saturday, Oct. 18.

The tournament will be held on The Woods disc golf course, located at SMU’s Winona campus, and will include two rounds of 18-hole amateur recreational play.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. in the Toner Student Center. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., and the second round will begin at 1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

Pre-register for the event at www.smumn.edu/thewoods or send registration form and money to the Office of Outdoor Leadership at 700 Terrace Heights No. 1490, Winona, Minn. 55987.

The cost for both rounds is $15 for students and $25 for the general public. Proceeds will go to maintaining the disc golf course and the Outdoor Leadership Program.

Each participant will receive a commemorative Innova Fairway Driver Disc. On holes 1 and 18 players will have the opportunity to purchase a $3 “Ace Pot” buy-in. For more information. go to www.smumn.edu/thewoods or e-mail Davey Warner at outdoorleadership@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s University inaugurates Brother William Mann as 13th president

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University inaugurated its 13th president, Brother William Mann, FSC, in front of a crowd of 1,200 on Friday, Sept. 26.

The celebration, which centered around the theme, “Lasallian Education – a World of Difference,” was held at Saint Mary’s Winona campus. Faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and community members were invited to inauguration events.

During his convocation remarks, Brother William announced the university’s plan to explore further efforts to make Saint Mary’s more affordable to mid- and lower-income families through an expansion of the Brother James Miller Program for Access. He also announced the creation of a new Institute for Lasallian Studies in Saint Mary’s Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, through which students can receive graduate degrees in Lasallian studies and Lasallian educational leadership on masters and doctoral levels, beginning this spring and summer.

“As a Lasallian university, Saint Mary’s is in a privileged position to be able to contribute to the vitality and the excellence of the global Lasallian educational network,” he said. “As we’re seeing in Washington today, tomorrow is not good enough. Today is the day to begin to address the empowerment of our laity in the future of the Church, the future of this institution and the future of this Lasallian family.

“Let no one doubt that this Lasallian Catholic university — under the protection and the inspiration of Mary, our patroness, and of John Baptist de La Salle, the patron of teachers — stands committed to educate and inform our students and to forge partnerships with our families, our alums, our benefactors, our friends and all people of good will,” Brother William said, “to educate students to be the agents of global transformation, to be part of the solution and not part of the problems that plague society in these opening years of the 21st century.”

Convocation participants included Winona Bishop Bernard Harrington; Harry J. Flynn, archbishop emeritus of Saint Paul and Minneapolis; David Laird Jr., president of Minnesota Private College Council; James Johnson, president of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical; Judith Ramaley, president of Winona State University; De La Salle Christian Brothers General Councillors Brother Claude Reinhardt and Brother Robert Schieler; and Brother Francis Carr, provincial of the Midwest District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Brother Louis DeThomasis, chancellor and president emeritus, presented Brother William with the president’s medallion, and special recognition was given to the many Christian Brothers in attendance, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Brothers at Saint Mary’s.
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Brother William Mann is the former Vicar General of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. As Vicar General, he was the second-highest officer of the international Catholic teaching order that comprises 5,300 Christian Brothers, working in association with 73,000 lay educators to operate 930 schools and universities serving 900,000 students in 82 countries.

Brother William has spent almost 30 years traveling around the country and the world as a leader in the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and as a guiding force in the evolution of the Lasallian educational global network.

A native of New York City, Brother William joined the Christian Brothers in 1965. He began his career as an English and religion teacher, working from 1970-79 at two Christian Brother high schools in New York and Rhode Island. He then held positions directing Christian Brother formation for the Long Island-New England Province and USA/Toronto Region, and from 1990-96 he was International Secretary of Formation in Rome. He later served as Delegate Superior for India, and as Provincial for the LI-NE Province, which operates 10 educational institutions in New York City and Rhode Island.

He served on the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Board of Trustees from 1996-2001.

Brother William is a noted scholar and writer on the life and teachings of John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the patron saint of educators. He has authored and edited numerous publications examining De La Salle’s writings and spirituality, putting them into context for Lasallian educators in today’s world.

Reel Big Fish to headline Oct. 9 concert at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — Reel Big Fish, a horn-driven ska punk band from California, will headline a Thursday, Oct. 9, concert at Saint Mary’s University.

Doors to the SMU gym will open at 6 p.m.; an opening band (Danger is my Middle Name) will perform at 7 p.m., and Reel Big Fish will take the stage at 8 p.m.

Reel Big Fish is best known for the 1997 hit “Sell Out.” The band gained mainstream recognition during the 1990s. In 1998, the band appeared in the movie BASEketball, performing in the stands to pump up the crowd.

Their performance at SMU connects their tours in Canada and Brazil.

Tickets are $15 for the general public. Saint Mary’s University students will be admitted for free and have the option of purchasing a $10 additional ticket. SMU faculty and staff also pay $10. Tickets are available via the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.smumn.edu/concert.

The event is hosted by SMU’s Student Activities Committee.

Saint Mary’s invites public to Fall Frolic Sept. 27

WINONA, Minn. — The public is invited to participate in the 21st Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk, to be held during Saint Mary’s University’s Family Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event, held annually, is free to SMU students, faculty and staff, but is open to the community as well. Typically close to 500 people participate; competitors of all levels (including walkers) are welcome.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in SMU’s Toner Student Center. The race begins at 10 a.m. The $8 cost includes a T-shirt.

Participants will enjoy the beautiful bluff trails of SMU’s Winona campus. Registration forms — as well as a complete weekend schedule — are available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend, which runs Sept. 26-28, includes a full slate of activities for families of students and the SMU community. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend music and theatre events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

Saint Mary’s Page Series opens with Compañia Flamenco Oct. 8

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University’s Page Series will come alive with music, fiery footwork and brilliant costumes when Compañia Flamenco José Porcel takes the stage Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Known for their superb flamenco performances, José Porcel and his company of talented dancers will bring an explosion of rhythms, colors and emotions of the Spanish people to SMU’s Page Theatre, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

A flamenco performance gives spectators an overwhelming sensation of happiness — a joyful and sensual mood that no other form of dance is capable of evoking. The October program features eight dances, ranging from electrifying solos by Porcel to larger pieces for the company of eight men and women. In addition, the audience will be treated to live performances by a musical ensemble and traditional flamenco singers.

Tickets for the Page Theatre performance are $22, $18 for seniors, $18 for students, and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Ernesto Calvo, Compañia Flamenco Jose Porcel’s road manager, will present a free pre-show presentation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Figuilo Recital Hall, located adjacent to Page Theatre. Calvo will introduce flamenco, its history and place in Iberian culture. He will also provide insights into the evening’s performance, including styles, forms, and historical aspects of the dance and music.

Saint Mary’s invites nonprofits to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Make a Difference Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Services group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your fall cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Approximately 150 Saint Mary’s University students will be teamed up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help groups and organizations on Saturday, Oct. 25, in recognition of “Make a Difference Day.”

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

To register your request, please call Katie LaPlant at (507) 457-6936 or e-mail volunteerservices @smumn.edu.

Kaplan commissioned piece to highlight SMU Concert Band, choirs concert Sept. 27

Marc Berntstein

WINONA, Minn. — The SMU Concert Band and three SMU choral ensembles will combine talents for a Family Weekend performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, in Page Theater.

The concert will mark the world premiere performance of “Ashkenazi Fathers,” composed for the SMU Concert Band by internationally recognized jazz saxophonist Marc Bernstein through the support of the Sam and Helen Kaplan Foundation. “Ashkenazi Fathers” is a celebration of the Jewish faith, especially the role fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers play in the lives of their children.

This performance marks fifth in a series of commissions by the SMU Concert Band through the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation, which supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s.

Bernstein will present a special composer’s conversation, just prior to the performance, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Page Theatre. During this conversation, the composer will discuss the cultural inspiration for his piece and the evolution of his work.

The audience is also invited to join the performers for a reception honoring Bernstein after the concert.

Bernstein will travel from his home in Denmark to Saint Mary’s the week prior to the performance to serve in residency. He will rehearse with the band and work with SMU students in a variety of classes and rehearsals.

Bernstein, born in Brooklyn, N.Y, graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1984. Inspired great saxophonists and jazz artists, Bernstein pursued a career in music. He recorded his first CD in 1985, and was a regular performer in New York City. He began playing overseas, and gained notoriety in Denmark, where he was offered a spot with Klüvers Big Band. Bernstein relocated to Copenhagen, Denmark; he left the band in 1996 to go solo, and has since released numerous CD recordings. He is on the faculty of the Danish Conservatory of Music. For more information go to www.marcmusic.info.

The Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will open with Steven Reineke’s “Celebration Fanfare,” an exciting new work published just last year. Next the ensemble will play the hauntingly beautiful “As Summer was Just Beginning” — subtitled “Song for James Dean” — written by Larry Daehn in memory of actor James Byron Dean, who was tragically killed in a car accident at age 24 after a brief film career including “East of Eden,” “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant.” “Ashkenazi Fathers” will conclude the first half of the Concert Band performance. A Saint Mary’s jazz combo will join the concert band for the premiere, and Bernstein will serve as the featured soprano saxophone soloist.

The second half of the concert features the SMU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, joined by the Women’s Choir, directed by Lindsy O’Shea. Choral selections will include works by Schumann, Morley, Hassler, Nystedt, Mulholland, and choral arrangements by Philip Lawson and Bob Chilcott of the King’s Singers.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students or seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box Office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s students to present jazz concert Sept. 26

WINONA, Minn. — Two Saint Mary’s University jazz groups, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will kick off the year with a concert 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in Figliulo Recital Hall — in conjunction with SMU’s Family Weekend.

Internationally recognized jazz saxophonist Marc Bernstein — at SMU through the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation — will join students onstage.

Bernstein, born in Brooklyn, N.Y, graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1984. Inspired great saxophonists and jazz artists, Bernstein pursued a career in music. He recorded his first CD in 1985, and was a regular performer in New York City. He began playing overseas, and gained notoriety in Denmark, where he was offered a spot with Klüvers Big Band. Bernstein relocated to Copenhagen, Denmark; he left the band in 1996 to go solo, and has since released numerous CD recordings. He is on the faculty of the Danish Conservatory of Music. For more information, go to www.marcmusic.info.

The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble and six-piece Jazz Combo I will perform from 6 to 7 p.m.

Jazz Combo I will play popular selections from the swing era and contemporary jazz. Student soloists in the combo include alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams of Little Falls, guitarist Sam Courtier of Red Wing, and Tom Briese on trombone from Rochester. The big band will play favorites from big band classics as well as new selections from today’s greatest arrangers. Student soloists in the big band include Peter Waldorf of Bloomington, Ill., on trumpet along with Courtier and Briese.

A jazz combo will also perform as part of the SMU Concert Band and Choirs performance 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in Page Theatre as part of the world premiere performance of “Ashkenazi Fathers,” composed for the SMU Concert Band by Bernstein. This performance marks fifth in a series of commissions by the SMU Concert Band through the Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation, which supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students or seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box Office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s prof to discuss ‘The War Over War Powers’

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. David Lynch, chair and associate professor Saint Mary’s University’s Department of Social Science, will present “The War Over War Powers” 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Toner Student Center’s President’s Room. The talk will examine the tension between Congress and the President over the authority to use force. The event — which falls near Constitution Day (Sept. 17) — is free and open to the public.

Saint Mary's to host guest pianist Kevin Ayesh Sept. 20

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University guest pianist Dr. Kevin Ayesh will present a free recital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Ayesh has performed throughout the United States and has been the head of the Music Department at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, N.C., since 1992. As a North Carolina Visiting Artist, he appeared before thousands across that state between 1988 and 1992, performing as many as 100 recitals in a season.

During the past two seasons, Ayesh has performed and given master classes at Washington State University, Portland State University, Colorado State University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Tennessee, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the University of Rhode Island, Brevard Community College in Florida, and the Elkader Opera House in Elkader, Iowa.

Ayesh is the recipient of many prizes, including the Naftzger Piano Award and Baltimore Music Club Award; he also won both the JCC Baltimore Piano Competition and the Maryland State Music Teachers’ Elizabeth R. Davis Memorial Piano Competition. He has been a finalist in several national and international competitions, was awarded second prize at the Wideman (Shreveport Symphony) Piano Competition, and won both third prize and Composer's Prize at the New Orleans International Piano Competition.

Saint Mary's University reports record enrollment for Winona campus undergraduates

WINONA, Minn. — Official 10th-day-of-class statistics at the Saint Mary's University Winona campus show a total undergraduate record enrollment of 1,413 — up 4.7 percent from last year’s total of 1,350. The previous record was set in 2002, when Saint Mary’s reported a total Winona undergraduate enrollment of 1,376.

This year’s total of 1,413 includes 1,334 full-time Winona-campus undergraduates and 79 part-time students.

A total of 404 freshmen are enrolled this fall. The freshman class is the second-highest in Saint Mary’s history; the highest was recorded in 1988.

Enrollment in the Saint Mary's University Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs will be released later this fall.

Saint Mary’s University to stage comedy ‘Bus Stop’ Sept. 25-28

WINONA, Minn. — Despite being trapped in a howling snowstorm, weary bus travelers find love and romance in a cheerful roadside diner during the Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre Arts production of “Bus Stop” Sept. 25-28, coinciding with SMU’s Family Weekend.

In this playful romantic comedy, written by William Inge and directed by Judy Myers, Cherie, a young and pretty nightclub singer has been kidnapped by a lovesick 21-year-old cowboy with a ranch of his own (and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull). Romances blossom as audiences are introduced to a roomful of colorful characters including an inebriated English professor, a virtuous bus driver and many more.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25, 26 and 27. A matinee performance is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

Tickets for the performance — to be held in the Page Theatre — are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Performance Center Box office, 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

The SMU Theatre Department has changed one of its previously announced productions for the upcoming school year. New to the schedule is “Playhouse Creatures” written by April DeAngelis, directed by Dr. Steven Bouler — to be presented at the Valéncia Academy Theatre, Nov. 6-9.

Previously purchased tickets for the production “She Stoops To Conquer” which is replaced by “Playhouse Creatures” will be honored; contact the Performance Center Box Office at Ext.1715.

Saint Mary’s art galleries to feature unique computer illustration series

California artist Tom Lundquist will display images from his “Poissons de Chant” series — including #29 “Pursued by sheep, Joey Poisson adopts a desperate strategy” — Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 at Saint Mary’s University.

WINONA, Minn. — Tom Lundquist, a Minneapolis native and faculty member at Santa Monica College, Calif., will display images from his “Poissons de Chant” series Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 at Saint Mary’s University’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

Lundquist’s digital image series illustrates the adventures of a mythical troupe of singing fish from Montreal. Most of the characters are production assistants, agents, accountants, or animal performers that work for the fish. The elaborate narrative suggested in the prints doesn't really exist. Though a number of people have suggested that Lundquist write a story to go with the illustrations, he says the only thing he really enjoys doing is making pictures. Lundquist has created an intricate fantasy world that will test your imagination. To learn more about Lundquist’s work, go to http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tomlundquist.

The galleries are located in the Toner Student Center. Admission is free and open to the public, and gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call (507) 457-1652.