Saint Mary’s names dean for Humanities and Sciences

WINONA, Minn. — After a national search, Saint Mary's University welcomes Elizabeth A. Throop, Ph.D., as its new dean for the School of Humanities and Sciences.

A native of the Chicago area, Dr. Throop earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Macalester College; an M.S.W. in Counseling from University of Illinois - Chicago; an M.A. in Anthropology from UC - San Diego; and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from UC - San Diego.

She comes to Saint Mary's from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky., where she was division chair and associate professor of anthropology. She previously taught anthropology, sociology and social work at McKendree College and several other institutions.

Her scholarly interests have blended psychology and anthropology in the study of marriage, family, child-rearing practices, and kinship and gender relations. Dr. Throop's scholarship has involved international study in Ireland, India and the United States. She is the author of two books and a number of chapters, articles and reviews. She has professional experience in social work, legal support service and family therapy.

Dr. Throop will supervise 15 of SMU’s undergraduate College departments and programs in Winona. She will begin Sept. 1.

Saint Mary’s University receives ‘Best in Midwest’ honors from Princeton Review

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of 158 schools receiving the “Best in the Midwest” designation for 2010 from the Princeton Review, a national college guide and ranking program. Results were announced this week.

Each year, the Princeton Review profiles colleges and universities that “stand out as academically excellent institutions of higher learning.” The Princeton Review survey asks students to rate their own schools on several issues — from the accessibility of their professors to quality of the campus food — and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and their campus life. The Princeton Review is a New York City-based company known for test-preparation courses, education services and books; it is not affiliated with Princeton University.

Other Minnesota schools included on Princeton Review's 2010 “Best in the Midwest” list are: Augsburg, Carleton, Crown College, Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, Macalester, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, North Central University, St. Catherine, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica, St. Thomas, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Crookston campuses) and Winona State University.

The 639 colleges named regional bests (217 in the Northeast, 141 in the Southeast, 158 in the Midwest, and 123 in the West) represent only about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges.

For more information, go to www.princetonreview.com/best-regional-colleges.aspx. The website gives a profile of Saint Mary's, along with useful college selection features.

Saint Mary’s student dies in Big Lake car accident

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University senior Joseph Kritzeck, 21, of Elk River, Minn., was killed Monday, July 20, in a car accident near Big Lake, Minn.

According to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol, Kritzeck’s sedan crossed the median and collided head-on with a pickup truck around 10:15 a.m. Monday on the southern edge of Big Lake.

Kritzeck was a theatre major and English minor who hoped to teach high school and coach drama. He was active with the Saint Mary’s Theatre Department.

No funeral arrangements have been made at this time.

“Our hearts go out to the Kritzeck family during this terrible tragedy,” said SMU President Brother William Mann. “Joe’s presence will be greatly missed at Saint Mary’s. The entire university community joins me in extending our sympathy and prayers.”

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts holds theatre camps July 27-31

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will offer summer theatre day camps, July 27-31, for students ages 7 to 13.

Theatre Day Camp I: “Welcome to Theatre” is a weeklong theatre daycamp for children ages 7-10. Students are introduced to the world of theatre and led through a series of theatre games and exercises that are designed to encourage and develop their creative abilities. “Welcome to Theatre” runs daily from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 27-31. The week concludes with a performance showcase on Friday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m. Camp tuition is $100. Tuition also includes a camp T-shirt. Full and partial scholarships are available.

Theatre Day Camp II: “Explore Theatre” is a weeklong theatre day camp for young people ages 10-13. Students will participate in session exploring acting, musical theatre, puppetry, behind-the-scenes, and make-up. “Explore Theatre” runs daily from 1 to 4:30 pm July 27 – 30 and from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 31. The week concludes with a performance showcase on Friday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m. Camp tuition is $150. Tuition also includes a camp T-shirt. Full and partial scholarships are available.

Scholarships for summer theatre camps are made possible through a grant from the Winona Fine Arts Commission. Parents or legal guardians of students wishing to apply for scholarships are asked to complete a scholarship form in addition to the camp registration form. The theatre camps scholarship application deadline is July 20. Scholarship forms can be obtained from the MCA office located in the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St., or by calling (507) 453-5500.

The Theatre Camps will be held at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center. Registration for these camps is still being accepted. For more information and registration materials, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. Parents may register their child at the Valéncia Arts Center or may mail registration to 1164 West 10th St., Winona, MN 55987.

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

SMU class of 1959 raises $1.66 million for alma mater

Presenting a $1.66 million “check” to Joe Sweeney, Saint Mary’s vice president for development and alumni relations, left, and SMU President Brother William Mann, FSC, center, are, from left: Dave Thies, Ken Ortman, Dennis O’Malley, Harry Bock, Harry Plotke, Tom McKenna and Tom Daly, all from the class of 1959.


In honor of their 50th anniversary, the Saint Mary’s University class of 1959 raised $1,663,000 as a gift to its alma mater. The class gift supports several funding priorities of the university, including three endowed scholarships, which will provide a permanent source of financial assistance to future generations of students.

• The Brother I. Basil Rothweiler ’38 Endowed Scholarship honors the seventh president of Saint Mary’s and his lifelong commitment to the Lasallian charism as an advocate for the work of the Christian Brothers. This scholarship gives preference to young men aspiring to become teachers through involvement in the Lasallian Teacher Immersion Program.

• The Ken Wiltgen Endowed Scholarship gives preference to students aspiring to become teachers and coaches and honors longtime Saint Mary’s teacher and coach, Ken Wiltgen.

• The Class of 1959 Scholarship honors the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1959 and gives preference to students with demonstrated financial need.

The gift was recognized during this year’s Homecoming festivities. Recipients of the Rothweiler and Wiltgen scholarships, Stephen Schmidt and Ryan Wockenfus, were in attendance at Homecoming Weekend. The Class of 1959 Scholarship has not yet been awarded.

More than 50 percent of the class of 1959 returned to Winona this past June for Homecoming Weekend, and more than 70 percent of the class donated money for the class anniversary gift.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts presents summer dance showcase

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present a dance showcase at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre, 1164 West 10th St.

The showcase, which is free and open to the public, features works that the students from the Conservatory Summer Intensive have learned in the three-week dance camp. A variety of dance forms will be presented, including classical and contemporary ballet, rhythm tap, jazz, and modern dance. The works were choreographed by Conservatory faculty and by guest artists Allen Fields, Dustyn Martincich, Stephanie Milling and Tammy Schmidt.

In addition to learning showcase pieces, students have been participating in comprehensive dance training, including technique and theory classes. Class studies have included ballet, pointe, men’s class, variations, pas de deux, repertory, jazz, hip hop, rhythm tap, modern, musical theatre dance, pilates, yoga, water aerobics, acting for the dancer, choreography, and improvisation.

These intermediate and advanced students, ages 12 to 20, are from Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin, and were selected for the program by audition.

For more information about the Conservatory Summer Intensive Showcase or future conservatory program offerings, call (507) 453-5500 or visit www.smumn.edu/mca. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.