Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 8

WINONA, Minn. — On Saturday, May 8, the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

The Winona campus undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors, David Dahlstrom of Rochester and Mariana Sanchez of Puebla, Mexico. A Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit will be given to long-time SMU supporter and 1977 alum Dr. John Domanico.

The Winona campus Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Jonathan Harmer, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, from Plymouth; and Jan Millner, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries, from Carmichael, Calif. A Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit will be given to Sister Una O’Connor, president of Catholic College of Mandeville, Jamaica Saint Mary’s partnering institution in the M.Ed. Jamaica initiative.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary's Nairobi campus will host its commencement ceremony on April 30. The Twin Cities campus will conduct its commencement ceremonies on June 6.

Radio marathon raises nearly $3,000 for SMU Women Build team

A Saint Mary’s University Habitat Women Build Fundraiser — featuring a marathon radio broadcast by faculty and staff members Jeff Hefel and Joe Dulak — raised nearly $3,000 Thursday, April 28.

Throughout the day, campus radio station KSMR presented a special broadcast of “The Black Hole of Radio,” while participants perused silent auction items and played “Hammer Time,” “Name That Tool” and “Tool IQ” games.

Thanks go to Hefel and Dulak for putting in a grueling but enjoyable nine-hour show, and to the many auction donors, volunteers and bidders.

The Saint Mary’s Women Build team has 42 members and is one of 18 teams raising money and building Winona County’s 41st Habitat home — and first Women Build Home.

The purpose of the Women Build program is to involve more women in the construction of Habitat homes in order to move more people, especially children, out of substandard housing and into safe, decent and affordable shelters. Each team is asked to raise $5,000 and put in 100 volunteer work hours for the Women Build home.

Conservatory announces spring dance, fitness classes

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will offer spring dance and fitness classes, starting May 3 at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Class offerings are available for youth ages 3 to adult and include beginning through advanced levels in classical ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement and modern, hip hop, character dance, and yoga. Registration is being accepted at the Valéncia Arts Center or online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

“The May session offers a great opportunity for new students to try out the programs at MCA and for returning students to study different genres of dance,” said Christine Martin, managing director. “We are excited for new and returning students to enjoy the MCA experience.”

The spring session runs May 3 – 21, offering three weeks of instruction. Tuition varies depending on course length and level. Scholarships are available.

For more information about MCA’s spring dance session or upcoming summer programming with offerings in dance, theatre, and music, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Saint Mary's student ‘Red Card’ project raises over $2,000 for Haiti

WINONA, Minn. — On Monday, April 26, students in the Entrepreneurship class at Saint Mary’s University presented a check for $2,072 to Dr. Bill Cooke, a volunteer doctor with Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin (HMMW), center, second from right. The check represented proceeds from the sale of the “Red Card,” a local community discount card. This is the second social entrepreneurship project undertaken by business students at SMU.

Each semester, SMU students in the Entrepreneurship class are tasked with completing a social entrepreneurship project that benefits a local non-profit organization. The 20-member class is responsible for the creation and execution of a project and choosing the organization that will benefit from the profits. Last semester, students raised $600 for the Winona Area Humane Society. This semester, wanting to reach out to the rural citizens of Haiti, students chose to create a community discount card with 100 percent of the profit being donated to HMMW.

Some people asked the students why they chose not benefit a local Winona organization. Students in this class have a personal connection to the organization. A fellow Entrepreneurship student is originally from the rural town of Thiotte, Haiti. He grew up as a medical translator for doctors and nurses in this organization and provided a compelling story for his fellow students. Based in Baraboo, Wis., HMMW provides quality healthcare for the people of Thiotte and the surrounding areas. More information can be found at www.haitimedicalmission.com.

The students would like to thank the Winona community for purchasing the Red Card; students and staff of SMU; the SMU Business Department; participating businesses on the card; and the three businesses who agreed to sell the card: Warpzone Video Games, Blooming Grounds and Jimmy John’s.

Saint Mary's hosts reception for diocesan scholarship recipients

Diocesan scholarship recipients were recognized during a special luncheon Wednesday, Monday, April 26, at the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Students were joined for lunch by the Most Reverend John Quinn, Bishop of the Winona Diocese, left; Father James Steffes, Vicar General, third from left; and Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s, right. Scholarship recipients are, from left: Zachary Barry ’10, Fort Wayne, Ind., recipient of the Archbishop Binz Scholarship; Jenna Capelle ’12, Rochester, Minn., recipient of the Bishop Patrick R. Heffron Scholarship; Josiah Ryks ’10, Austin, Minn., recipient of the Monsignor Julius C. Haun Scholarship; Mitchell Bechtold ’10, St. Cloud, Minn., recipient of the Archbishop Binz Scholarship; and Paula Angst ’11, Winona, recipient of the Monsignor Julius C. Haun Scholarship.

Saint Mary’s University has an App for that

WINONA, Minn. – Two students in Saint Mary’s University’s iPhone programming class have created an SMU App for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Christopher Engesser and Stephanie Valentine have designed a new App that allows students and potential students easy access to SMU news and information.

The students, taught by Ann Smith, chair of the Computer Science Department, completed the project in April. The App (named iSMU) will be available for free iTunes download by early summer and includes the following features:

• Access to campus news and blogs
• Live sports updates
• Activities calendar
• Performance calendar and ticket information
• Daily Chartwells menu options
• Campus YouTube Videos and Facebook
• Donate to SMU opportunities

“Mobile devices like the iPhone give our students the opportunity to develop interesting, useful and educational applications that are accessed via their cell phones,” Smith said. “The beauty of this class is that students can build applications for their peers from the perspective of what is important to students. For example, all of my students loved the Chartwells menu feature — today’s dinner entrees accessible immediately with the touch of a button!”

Students help spruce up Winona

Pulling weeds at Madison School are from left: front, Kelsey Brekke, Dan Streefland; back, DeShanda Morley, Maggie Lynch and Rhea Fosco.

In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” Saint Mary’s University Volunteer Services organized a group of student volunteers to help out Winona non-profit agencies. Workers helped with spring cleaning, yard work, painting, sorting clothes and a variety of other tasks. Approximately 175 Saint Mary’s students teamed up throughout the afternoon. Sixty-one individuals and organizations – including area schools, The Salvation Army, St. Anne Hospice and the Catholic Worker House – were assisted.

Saint Mary’s Relay for Life raises more than $20,000

WINONA, Minn. — On Friday, April 9, the Saint Mary’s University community participated in the Relay for Life. More than 250 students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate and remember those who have defeated cancer, those currently battling cancer, and those who have lost their lives to this disease. The event raised more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.

SMU students participate in Mayo Scholars Program

WINONA, Minn. — Nine Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota students were chosen to participate in the educational opportunity of a lifetime through the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program. For the past five months, these students contributed to innovative medical research, associated with the world’s most prestigious health care system.

The Mayo Innovation Scholars Program, now in its fourth year, offers an opportunity for selected MBA students and undergraduate science and business students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property and coordinated through MPCC.

The program connects students from biology, chemistry, math, physics, pre-med and business and helps prepare them for careers in hospitals, medical research institutions and health care agencies.

Saint Mary’s program participants included business majors Boya Hu, Brittany Peterson, Agnieszka Kadej and Matt Wilgenbusch; computer science major Emily Friedl; and biological sciences majors Melissa Wolf, Caitlin O’Connor, Phil Thomas and Thomas Briese.

Saint Mary’s presents service awards to students, faculty, staff

Scott “Zhe” Song of Xi’an, China receives the Student Service Award from Chris Kendall, vice president for Student Development.

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding students, faculty and staff Thursday, April 15, at the Student Life Awards Ceremony. Several awards were handed out to students who made a noticeable impact on student life at SMU. Awards included:

Brother Finbar McMullen Award (presented to an SMU community member who demonstrates him/herself to be an individual who unselfishly meets the needs of the undergraduate students of Saint Mary’s) — Brendan Dolan, Student Development graduate assistant and Residence Hall director, of Winona.

Charlene “Char” Tjaden Outstanding Resident Assistant Award — Stephanie Valentine, daughter of Gregory and Anne Valentine of Omaha, Neb.

Club and Organization Advisor of the Year — Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, associate professor of Biology and director of the Allied Health Program, of Winona.

Organization of the Year — Lingshan Tian of Xi’an, China; Dongyang Xie of Xi’an, China; Long Chen of Xi’an, China; Yiyun Wang of Xi’an, China; and Scott “Zhe” Song of Xi’an China, accepting for the International Students Club.

Intramural Official of the Year— Amanda Mueller, daughter of Thomas and Pamela Mueller of Milwaukee, Wis.

Volunteer of the Year Award — Beth Leister, daughter of Mary and Daniel Leister of Milwaukee, Wis.

Outstanding Student Senator of the Year Award — Vanessa Grams, daughter of Jean and Gregg Grams of Little Falls, Minn.

Winona Community Service Award — Emily Merchlewitz, daughter of Mark and Ann Merchlewitz of Winona, Minn.

Brother James Miller Award (presented to a student who has dedicated his/her college experience to promoting the legacy of Brother James Miller, spreading the compassion of God and continually serving the community) — Betsy Baertlein, daughter of Scot and Cheryl Baertlein of Mazeppa, Minn.

Student Service Award — Scott “Zhe” Song of Xi’an, China.

Outdoor Leadership Recognition — Gary Borash, son of Ron and Ann Borash of Rowlus, Minn., and Betsy Baertlein, daughter of Scot and Cheryl Baertlein of Mazeppa, Minn.

Brother Charlie Burke Award (presented to a faculty or staff member who has made significant contributions to the entire Student Life Department. This individual has promoted the growth of the whole student through their exemplary standard of ethical service, dedication to creating developmental relationships, and their desire to promote lifelong learning) — Jason Richter, assistant dean of Students for Leadership, Service and Activities, of Rollingstone, Minn.

To see all the photos from this event, go to www.smumn.edu/studentserviceawardphotos.

Radio show to raise money for Habitat Women Build

WINONA, Minn., — Saint Mary’s University faculty and staff members Jeff Hefel and Joe Dulak are planning a special marathon KSMR broadcast of “The Black Hole of Radio” on Thursday, April 29, as part of the fundraising effort by Saint Mary’s University’s Habitat Women Build team. Hefel and Dulak will take to the airwaves from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; special guests and many surprises are planned.

Known as “So bad they’re good,” Hefel and Dulak are regulars on KSMR. Hefel, known for playing ’70s and ’80s favorites, says Dulak plays music no one has ever heard of. Tune in to play a special edition of “Name that Tool” in honor of the Women Build. To listen off campus, tune in to 94.3 FM. On the Saint Mary’s campus, tune in to KSMR at 92.5 FM. KSMR also plays in the background of local access Channel 19 on HBC.

This event will also include a silent auction, featuring a large variety of gift baskets and community gift certificates, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in SMU’s Toner Student Center game room. The public is invited to bid on auction items that range from Harley Davidson attire to a personalized mosaic house number. The game room will also host a variety of tool-related games including “Tool IQ” and “Hammer Time,” a nail-driving contest. Games cost $1 to play, and prizes will be awarded.

For $5, donors can get “5 minutes of fame.” Guests will be invited to use their 5 minutes to promote events, request songs or have Hefel and Dulak roast/toast someone special on the air.

This event will also include a public ice cream social on the campus plaza from 2-3 p.m. The ice cream will be donated by Chartwells, and freewill donations will be accepted. In case of rain, the social will move to the game room.

The Saint Mary’s Women Build team has 42 members and is one of 18 teams raising money and building Winona County’s 41st Habitat home. The purpose of the Women Build program is to involve more women in the construction of Habitat homes in order to move more people, especially children, out of substandard housing and into safe, decent and affordable shelter. Each team is asked to raise $5,000 and put in 100 volunteer work hours for the Women Build home. A total of 1,500 Habitat homes have been built by crews of women nationally.

To contribute to the silent auction, contact Adrianne Olson at aolson@smumn.edu or (507) 457-7870. Donations may be mailed to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, C/O SMU Women Build Team, 700 Terrace Heights #36, Winona, MN 55987; contact Olson for pick up. For more information about the radio marathon, go to www.jeffandjoe.wetpaint.com.

SMU honors retirees, faculty and staff for years of service

Brother William Mann, left, president of Saint Mary’s University, congratulates three long-time Saint Mary’s employees retiring this year, including, Sister Margaret Mear of the Art & Design Department, 34 years, and Dr. Dave McConville of the Biology Department and Geographical Information Science, 37 years. Retiree Georgia Curran of the Registrar’s Office, 43 years, was unable to attend. This group was recognized at an employee service event Thursday, April 15. Other Winona campus employees honored included: Dr. Kathleen Flanagan, James Klinger and Dr. Roger Kugel, 30 years; Sister Clare Korte and Brother Roderick Robertson, 35 years; and Brother John Grover, 45 years. Employees with 5-, 10-, 15- and 20- and 25-year anniversaries were also recognized.

Dumestre named vice president for Saint Mary’s University Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs

WINONA, MN — Saint Mary’s University welcomes Marcel J. Dumestre, Ed.D., as vice president for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs and professor of Education. Dr. Dumestre will begin his new position on June 1.

Dr. Dumestre comes to Saint Mary’s from Regis University, Denver, Colo., where he served as professor and academic dean of the College for Professional Studies since 2006. Dr. Dumestre supervised the deans of four schools within Regis University College for Professional Studies, comprised of 12,000 students and 700 faculty, and had oversight of all distance education offerings on seven extension campuses with 5,000 students enrolled in totally online degree programs.

Dr. Dumestre holds a Doctor of Education degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., a Master of Religious Education from Loyola University, New Orleans, La., and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. He is published in the areas of educational philosophy, religious education and educational technology.

“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Dumestre join us in this important leadership role,” said Brother William Mann, president, Saint Mary’s University. “He brings energy, enthusiasm, and a wealth of experience that will help the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs continue our tradition of excellent education and help existing and new programs grow in significant ways.”

Dr. Dumestre will supervise a leadership team at the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs that includes Linka Holey, associate vice president for Academic Affairs; the deans of the SGPP: Dushan Knezevich, Merri Moody, Tracy Lehnertz, Don Winger, Rebecca Hopkins and Gena Bilden; and Lindsay McCabe, director of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership. Dr. Dumestre and the leadership team have responsibility for graduate and professional programs administered from both the Twin Cities and the Winona campuses.

MCA offers free stage combat workshop April 26

WINONA, MN — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is sponsoring a free stage combat workshop titled, “On the Edge of a Noodle: Safety in Stage Combat,” on Monday, April 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

This workshop focuses on acting and safety challenges that arise when theatrical violence is required during a scene. Using pool noodles, students will explore action and reaction, safety and the appearance of danger in the context of a “West Side Story” rumble/knife fight. The class will end with a presentation of choreographed stage combat routines.

This workshop, taught by instructor Mike Speck, is open for anyone age 15 and older; younger students are welcome by invitation only, and observers are also welcome.

To register, e-mail mca@smumn.edu with the names and ages of those attending the workshop and a contact phone and e-mail address. Parent/guardian signatures are required for students under the age of 18.

For more information about this and other MCA programming, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org or call (507) 453-5500.

Saint Mary’s University announces winners of Minnesota Campus Compact Presidents’ Awards

WINONA, Minn. — Three Saint Mary’s University groups and organizations will receive Presidents’ Awards from the Minnesota Campus Compact in the areas of Student Leadership, Civic Engagement and Company Partnership on June 17, 2010 at the Minnesota Campus Compact’s Annual Summit and Awards Luncheon.

At the luncheon, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page will present the state’s third Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration. In addition, the event will recognize outstanding student leaders, community partners, and faculty and staff “stewards” of civic engagement through the new Presidents’ Awards.

The Presidents’ Awards provide an opportunity for university presidents and chancellors to give statewide recognition to effective leaders in the development of campus-community partnerships. Acknowledgement of outstanding collaborative work will not only inform and inspire tomorrow’s campus-community partnerships, but will also play a critical role in garnering support for higher education’s civic engagement initiatives.

Receiving awards from Saint Mary’s are:

Presidents’ Student Leadership Award — SMU Inter-Cultural Awareness Association (ICAA). This award is for an individual student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership. The ICAA has shown tremendous initiative in planning and hosting events that foster understanding and awareness of different cultures, engaging students, faculty and staff, and local community members. Amira Sadek, president of ICAA and a senior public relations major, will represent the group.

Presidents’ Civic Engagement Steward Award — SMU Literacy Clinic Project Team. This award is for a member of the faculty, administration or staff, or for a group (advisory committee, task force, project team) that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic engagement, and worked to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement. Since 1988, the Literacy Clinic has assisted in the remediation of students with dyslexia and other reading disorders. The clinic serves K-12 students from the Winona area. The Literacy Clinic team includes Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of Education, who formed the clinic, as well as clinic supervisor Karin Wollan and Denise Cichosz, who provides administrative support.

Presidents’ Community Partner Award — SMU Apple Valley Partners in Learning. Saint Mary’s recognizes its community-based partners in Apple Valley — Dakota County Technical College, Inver Hills Community College and the City of Apple Valley. This award is presented for enhancing the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and developing sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the university, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes. In collaboration with Saint Mary’s University and with the assistance of the City of Apple Valley, these partner institutions formed the Apple Valley Partners in Learning group in 2003 in response to increasing demand for education programs in the south metro area of the Twin Cities. Dr. Ron Thomas, president of DCTC; Mary Hamaan-Roland, mayor of Apple Valley; and Dr. Cheryl Frank, president of IHCC, are recognized for their collaborative efforts.

Minnesota Campus Compact leverages the assets of higher education institutions in partnerships with communities to educate students and develop creative solutions to society's most pressing issues. Minnesota Campus Compact is affiliated with Campus Compact, a national network of more than 1,100 campuses, 35 state Compacts and a national office. Minnesota Campus Compact is the only higher education coalition in Minnesota that includes a critical mass of public and private; two-year and four-year; urban, suburban, and rural campuses dedicated to the civic purposes of higher education.

Winona Area Youth Singers to hold Spring Concert April 18

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts presents the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS) in a spring concert, American Music History, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at the Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St., Winona.

WAYS members are students in grades four through eight from the Winona area. The youth choir started its second year this past September and has been rehearsing a variety of choral material. This winter the choir performed folk music from around the world, as well as some traditional holiday carols.

The spring concert will feature music from early Americana to contemporary musical theatre, showcasing both sacred and secular aspects of pour nation’s musical growth. Featured works include: The Star-Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, How Can I Keep From Singing, Simple Gifts, Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel, O Music, The Merry, Merry Heart, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, It Don’t Mean a Thing, For Good, You’re Never Fully Dressed, and Do, Re, Mi.

WAYS members include: Philippa Armstrong, Lauren Callahan, Carina Dretske, Jessica Kohner, Justine Meinke, Alexa Morescki, Laura Schleich, Natalie Schleich, Audrey Schmidt and Korto Thrune. WAYS is directed by Lindsy O’Shea.

Reserved tickets are not necessary. Admission is $10 (cash or checks only) at the door for adults or free for children and students ages 2 to 21.

WAYS is the official youth choir of the Minnesota Conservator for the Arts. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic, and educational vocal music experiences for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances. WAYS is offered tuition free to all students for the 2009-2010 academic year through a grant from Saint Mary’s University Friends of the School of the Arts.

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

SMU staff, students to attend Lasallian Convocation at the U.N.

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University students and a staff member will attend the Lasallian Convocation on the Rights of the Child April 25-27 at the United Nations in New York City.

Tim Gossen, dean of students, and students Shannon Nelson and Danielle Strebel will join with other representatives of Lasallian schools and colleges in the United States and Toronto, Canada, in their call for universal ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, which administers about 1,000 Lasallian educational ministries throughout the world, has advocated for the human rights and guiding principles enshrined in the 1989 CRC treaty, which provides legal and moral standards for the rights of children. The Convention emphasizes the rights of children to survival; to develop to their full potential; to protection from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and exploitation; and to participate in family, cultural, and social life. This complements the Institute’s mission of providing human and Christian education to the young, especially those who are poor and marginalized.

The Convention was largely negotiated during the Reagan administration. During the 10 years of negotiations, the U.S. influenced nearly every substantive provision and proposed more articles on freedom of speech, association, assembly, and privacy than all other governments combined. Today, the United States and Somalia remain the only UN member-states who have not ratified the treaty.

The Lasallian Convocation at the UN is part of a global effort to promote a culture of action on behalf of the rights of children within the Lasallian world. The three-day event is packed with activities and presentations that are designed to inform, educate and inspire the way Lasallians think, judge, decide, and act as individuals within the community. The Catholic Church’s Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN has endorsed this gathering and will deliver an address to the assembly.

The Lasallian Convocation at the United Nations on the Rights of the Child is facilitated by the U.S.-Toronto Region of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in partnership with the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, Inc., formally associated with the UN Department of Public Information and an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO.

SMU co-sponsors MPR used-instrument drive

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University is cosponsoring the Minnesota Public Radio “Play it Forward” used musical instrument drive this April. Around the state, listeners are being urged to donate their used and unwanted instruments at various collection points. They will be passed along to schools and school children with financial need. At Saint Mary’s, instrument donations are being accepted at the Toner Student Center Info Desk, the Valéncia Arts Center and four graduate program locations. Other collection points in Winona include Cotter High School, St. Martin’s Lutheran School and Winona Senior High School.

At the conclusion of the drive, MPR will host a live, two-hour broadcast from the Saint Mary's Cardinal Club, featuring MPR artists-in-residence, the Parker Quartet. MPR hosts will also interview Saint Mary’s faculty and staff and Winona music teachers. All are welcome to stop by the Cardinal Club during the public performance and broadcast. The show runs from 1 to 3 p.m., Monday, April 26.

For more information on the instrument drive, go to:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/cms/features/2010/02/play-it-forward/

Winona instrument dropoff points include:

Cotter High School, 1115 W. Broadway, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Needs: woodwinds, brass.

Saint Mary’s University, Toner Student Center Info Desk, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Needs: guitars, drums, woodwinds, brass, strings.

Saint Mary's University, Valéncia Arts Center, 10th & Vila streets, 2 to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Needs: guitars, drums, woodwinds, brass, strings.

St. Martin’s Lutheran School, 253 Liberty St., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. Needs: drums, woodwinds, brass, strings.

Winona Senior High School, 901 Gilmore Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Needs: drums, woodwinds, brass.

SMU to host boys’, girls’ diving camp July 11-15

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is hosting a boys’ and girls’ diving camp on Sunday, July 11, through Thursday, July 15, for students entering grades six through 12 in the fall.

This camp will consist of four days of intense training. Each day will include both dry and wet training programs. Sessions will also include extensive stretching, conditioning and spotting courses. JJ Jackson, SMU’s head diving coach, and Rob Murray, head coach and director of KidSport Gymnastics Center, will coach these sessions.

The boys’ and girls’ diving camp will feature video analysis, professional and individual coaching, instruction on 1-meter and 3-meter boards, a low athlete-to-coach ratio, training on required and optional dives, daily pool sessions, dryland and dryboard training, supervised recreational activities, gymnastics training and a final dive exhibition. Recreational activities will include float-in movie nights, free night at the gymnastics club, a dance, bowling, time at the ropes course and more!

Rates are $375 before May 1 and $395 after May 1, and the final deadline to register is June 11. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps. This registration fee includes lodging and meals, as well as access to the Recreation and Athletics Center, indoor pool, weight room, dance studio, hiking trails, disc golf course, track and soccer complex, ropes course and more. For more information, call (800) 635-5987, Ext. 6921, or (507) 457-6921.

Saint Mary’s organ students to perform recital April 22

WINONA, Minn. — Organ students from Saint Mary’s University will present a recital and hymn-sing — free and open to the public —from 12:15 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1717 West Service Dr.

SMU students Gregory Bim-Merle and John Paul Trask, along with their instructor A. Eric Heukeshoven, will perform selected works by J.S. Bach, Johann Pachelbel, Flor Peeters and John Ferguson, as well as traditional hymn tunes. The recital will also feature the performance of “Journey’s Start and Journey’s Ending” based on an original hymn text by Father Paul Nienaber, associate professor and chair of the Physics Department at Saint Mary’s. Heukeshoven arranged the setting of Nienaber’s text for the recital.

For more information, contact Heukeshoven at (507) 457-7292 or e-mail him at eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Student History Research Symposium is April 17 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 17, at Saint Mary’s University. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University of La Crosse, and Winona State University.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Donna Gabaccia, director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota, will speak on “Imagining Nations of Immigrants.”

Saint Mary’s University and Winona State University have co-sponsored a student research symposium for nine years, with UW-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and UW-Eau Claire joining in the past three years. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process, deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. Students will present their research in concurrent panels of three students each. The first panel session starts at 9:15 a.m., the second at 10:45 a.m., the third at 1:15 p.m. Dr. Gabaccia’s talk will start around noon and will be accompanied by a complimentary lunch.

For further information, contact Dr. Tycho de Boer, SMU Department of History, at (507) 457-6995 or tdeboer@smumn.edu.

Big Brothers Big Sisters join SMU baseball team to raise money for local kids

WINONA, Minn., — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region Winona Office will be hosting a raffle with the Saint Mary’s University baseball team on Saturday, April 17. This event — free and open to the public — will take place during the doubleheader against Augsburg University, beginning at 1 p.m. at Max Molock Field.

Raffle tickets will be sold until the top of the seventh inning of the first game for a chance to win gift cards to Ground Round and Country Kitchen — totaling $50 — with all proceeds going to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region Winona Office.

Tickets will cost $1 for one ticket and $5 for six, with no limit to the amount of tickets to be purchased. After the first game, raffle finalists will be drawn and will participate in a baseball bat spin race to determine the winners.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization whose mission is to effectively match children with caring mentors to share time, experiences, friendship and fun that will help children become caring, confident and competent adults.

For more information, contact David Timmons at dltimm07@smumn.edu or call (507) 398-3722.

Dance Repertory Company presents spring concert April 23-24

WINONA, Minn. — The Dance Repertory Company’s performance season will conclude with a recital titled “An Evening with Benny Goodman,” at Saint Mary’s University. This performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, and at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

For more than three decades, the Dance Repertory Company has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works. This year, the DRC presents contemporary dance to the timeless music of Benny Goodman.

The concert will feature three restaged works, “Bugle Call Rag,” “Christopher Columbus,” and “Sing, Sing, Sing,” from the company’s repertoire in the 2000 production of “The Goodman Suite,” as well as eight new works including: “Don’t Be That Way,” “King Porter’s Stomp,” “Sometimes I’m Happy,” “Let’s Dance,” “Ti-Pin-Ti,” “These Foolish Things,” “Goody Goody,” and “I Would Do Anything For You.” Heidi Draskoci-Johnson, Christine Martin, Andrea Mirenda, Juliana Piscitiello and the company’s artistic director, Tammy Schmidt, choreographed this year’s concert featuring tap, jazz, contemporary ballet, swing and modern dance.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of “The Goodman Suite” and as our nation celebrates Benny Goodman’s 100th birthday as well as national dance week, this concert is the perfect way to spend an evening at the Page,” said Christine Martin, production coordinator.

The dancers of this performance currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and at Saint Mary’s University. Cast members include: Dot Armstrong, Jarod Boltjes, Lauren Callahan, Jennifer Cambio, Fallon Devine, Genna Draskoci-Johnson, Keegan Eide, Lydia Feuerhelm, Jami Fonfara, Annie Garrigan, Charlotte Hardick, Caitlin Kaman, Kate Larson, Justine Meinke, Joanna Mills, Bryan Moore, Rachael Moore, Laura-Leigh Newton, Jocelyn Olson, Colette Penic, Matt Polum, Miranda Ruben, Danielle Schleich, Laura Schleich, Natalie Schleich, Claire Smart, Brian Smith, Phil Soulides, Danny Spiess, Eldon Vaselaar, Adelle Vietor, Kaitlyn Vietor, Nicole Volner, Calli Jo Wagner and Anna Wolner.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. The Page Theatre will admit children ages 5 and older to the April 23 evening performance. The April 24 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 available online at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the SMU Performance Center at (507) 457-1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Saint Mary’s choirs to perform April 24

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, and Women’s Choir, under the direction of Lindsy O’Shea, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

The concert will include works such as Mozart's “Missa Brevis in D Major” and “K. 194”; “Mass No. 3” by Russell Woollen; the haunting “Carols of Death” by William Schuman; as well as other arrangements of folk songs and spirituals. The concert will also include several selections performed by the Winona Area Youth Singers, also under Lindsy O’Shea’s direction.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $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.

Senior art show to run April 10-May 8 at SMU

“Saint Mary’s Hall” —a digital photo by Joe Krause, a senior graphic design major at Saint Mary’s University, will be featured in the senior art show, “Figuring it Out,” Saturday, April 10, through Saturday, May 8, at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the SMU Toner Student Center. An opening reception will be held 4 to 6 p.m. April 10. The galleries are free and open to the public; gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.



This turtle, by Mariana Sanchez, a SMU senior graphic design major from Mexico, asks the question, “If a turtle doesn’t have a shell, is he naked or homeless?” Sanchez has done a series of digital cartoons for the upcoming Saint Mary’s senior art show. Other artists displaying will include: Ryan Anderson, Valerie Koch, Tatiana Martinez, Brandy Munson, Lincoln Nguyen, Zach Olberding, Ben Olson and Smith Thongbai.

Saint Mary’s jazz groups to perform April 16

WINONA, Minn. — The 18-piece Saint Mary’s University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will perform their final concert of the semester at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center. The featured soloist will be trumpeter Dr. Joe Morgan of Rochester. Both groups are directed by professor of music, Dr. John Paulson.

Some of the selections include a new arrangement of the “007” James Bond theme by recent graduate and vibraphonist Jeremy Johnston; an arrangement of “Secret Love” featuring the trombone section; the Wayne Shorter tune “One by One” arranged by Mark Taylor; and a new arrangement of Gershwin’s “My Ship” by Dave Rivello, featuring baritone saxophonist Benjamin Scott. Tenor saxophonist Ross Nixon of Winona Senior High School will play the solo part on “Midnight Voyage” by Michael Brecker, and alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams will be featured on the Grammy-winning Quincy Jones selection “Quintessence.”

The Jazz Ensemble has been recording their first CD “Staycation,” which they started recording during February break. Music technology students from Saint Mary’s are recording under the supervision of engineer and SMU adjunct instructor Brett Huus, along with input from Dr. Paulson. They hope to release the CD at Family Weekend next September.



Guest musician Dr. Morgan has been performing, composing and teaching professionally for nearly 10 years. While pursuing a degree in trumpet performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, he had the opportunity to study with Edmund Cord, former principal trumpet of the Israel Philharmonic and Utah Symphony Orchestras, as well as do jazz improvisation with Pat Harbison and renowned jazz pedagogue David Baker. While at IU, Dr. Morgan led the acclaimed brass quintet 58 Feet of Tubing and organized a re-recording and performance of Columbia Records’ Grammy award-winning 1968 LP The Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli by brass faculty and students, including two members of the original personnel.

Since then, he has performed with a variety of orchestral and big band ensembles, including the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, and Bloomington Pops, as well as the New Millennium Jazz Orchestra, and has shared the stage with several notable jazz musicians, including Mark Colby, Tom “Bones” Malone, Bob Mintzer, Mark Van Cleave and Ernie Watts. He plays on a Bach Stradivarius trumpet and a Yamaha flugelhorn and has been published in national music and medical professional journals.
Dr. Morgan also pursued his medical education at the Indiana University School of Medicine, finishing coursework in 2009. He is currently a clinical research fellow in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $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.

Saint Mary’s hosts Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department will host the 36th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 16, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s and other colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:20 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will then continue from 2 to 4 p.m.

The symposium presents all attendees the opportunity to experience the process of open collegial assessment of experimental findings, the opportunity to encounter discoveries from a variety of scientific disciplines, and an excellent environment to develop personal contacts and acquaintances.

From 12:45 to 2 p.m., Saint Mary’s alumnus Dr. John Stegeman will present the R.V. Kowles Lecture in the Common Room, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall. Dr. Stegeman is a senior scientist and the director of the Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health. With an extensive list of publications, Dr. Stegeman has served in a multitude of capacities for National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He also recently participated in an expert panel discussion during the first UN World Oceans Day. He will present “Enzymes, Chemicals and Environment: Exploring the Evolution and Diversity of Cytochrome P450 Genes, and the Implications.”

The public is invited to attend the lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge. Morning refreshments will be provided.