Saint Mary’s plans second Young Alumni Weekend

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University graduates from the past decade have been invited back to campus for Young Alumni Reunion Weekend, Sept. 10-12.

Approximately 200 alumni are planning to attend the special weekend of events which will include a bonfire, a community outreach project, a faculty and staff social, ropes course activities, disc golfing and a pig roast picnic. The weekend also coincides with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving SMU alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

For more information about the Young Alumni Program, please contact Sabrina Kelly at (612) 238-4507 or skelly@smumn.edu.

Three Saint Mary’s athletes to be honored during Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Alumni Office, will induct three members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame during Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend Sept. 10-12.



The Hall of Fame Class of 2010 — Teisha (Smith ’00) Devine (fastpitch softball), George Hoder ’67 (basketball) and John Tschida ’90 (Fastpitch Softball Coach) — will be honored during a ceremony Saturday evening, Sept. 11, in the SMU gymnasium.



Along with the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame class, SMU’s 2009-10 postseason award-winners, as well as last year’s outstanding male and female athletes, and outstanding scholar athletes, will also be recognized. The weekend festivities begin on Friday with a men’s hockey alumni game, continue Saturday morning with a golf outing at Cedar Valley Golf Course and conclude on Sunday with a picnic and various alumni games on the SMU campus.


SMU HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2010

TEISHA (SMITH ’00) DEVINE
Chicago Fastpitch Softball
Teisha (Smith ’00) Devine was a four-year letterwinner who was instrumental in guiding the Saint Mary’s University fastpitch softball team to its first-ever NCAA Division III National Championship in 2000. A three-time All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, Smith led the Cardinals to three straight MIAC regular-season titles in 1997,1998 and 1999. She was named to the NFCA All-Region Team three times — a first-team selection in 1998 and a second-team pick in 1999 and 2000. A two-time team captain and member of the NCAA Regional and National All-Tournament teams, she ranks first in school history in earned-run-average (1.04), while ranking second in career wins (58), third in complete games (35) and shutouts (18) and fifth in strikeouts (215). She also holds the single-season school records for complete games (15) and shutouts (8) and is second in wins (21), appearances (28) and games started (24). During the Cardinals’ run to the 2000 national championship, she went 21-2 and won her last 18 starts — including a perfect 7-0 mark during SMU’s seven post-season games.

GEORGE HODER ’67
Seattle Basketball
A four-year letterwinner, George Hoder ’67 is one of just 24 players in the program’s history to eclipse the 1,000-point barrier, having netted 1,260 points during his career. Hoder also ranked 10th in program history in free throws attempted (408) and rebounds (536). Hoder averaged a career-best 14.4 ppg during his junior season, when he tossed in 124 field goals on 297 attempts, while also shooting 64 percent from the free throw line (111-for-171).

JOHN TSCHIDA ’90
Saint Paul, Minn. Fastpitch Softball Coach
John Tschida ’90 spent six years as the Cardinals’ head fastpitch coach, guiding SMU to post-season appearances in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. His Cardinals won back-to-back-to-back Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crowns in 1997, 1998 and 1999, and his 2000 SMU team became the first in school history to capture the NCAA Division III national title. Following the 2000 season, Tschida accepted the head coaching position at the University of St. Thomas, where he coached the Tommies to back-to-back national championships in 2004 and 2005. With his UST national crown in 2004, Tschida became the first fastpitch coach to win NCAA titles at two different schools. A 1990 graduate of SMU — where he was a four-year letterwinner for the Cardinal baseball team — Tschida is the winningest Division III coach, active or retired, boasting a 573-98 record and an .854 winning percentage. Tschida has been named MIAC Coach of the Year in eight of his 15 years at the helm at SMU and UST. His teams have been nationally ranked each year, and in the last 13 seasons have posted a 273-13 record in conference regular-season play. In nine seasons at St. Thomas, his teams have swept 91 conference twinbills, split seven and were swept just once, and in all games vs. conference opponents are 208-9 (.958).

Saint Mary’s to welcome alum John McDonough, president of Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University alum John McDonough ’75, president of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, will share his triumphant and inspiring story with his alma mater Thursday, Sept. 2.

McDonough will serve as the guest speaker during SMU’s annual convocation ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium.

Prior to convocation, McDonough will address business students and faculty from 8:50 to 9:45 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall. His presentation is titled, “The Chicago Blackhawks ‘One Goal’ Business Plan.”

Additionally, beginning at 2:15 p.m., McDonough will lead a Q&A session for SMU administration, faculty, student leaders and Winona business leaders from the President’s Roundtable in Figliulo Recital Hall. This event is by invitation only.

McDonough was named president of the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 20, 2007. Under his guidance, in what Forbes Magazine has called the “The Greatest Sports-Business Turnaround Ever,” the Blackhawks have moved quickly to revitalize the team’s profile and re-energize its fan base. Just over two and a half years after his arrival, the organization achieved its “One Goal” of a Stanley Cup title in 2010, the team’s first since 1961.

Under McDonough’s leadership, the Blackhawks have become one of professional sports’ biggest success stories. As of June 6, 2010, the Blackhawks have entertained 102 consecutive capacity crowds at the United Center and have grown a season ticketholder base from 3,400 to over 14,000 in under a year.

Prior to joining the Blackhawks, McDonough served as president of the Chicago Cubs. During his tenure, the Cubs won the 2007 National League Central Division while setting an all-time franchise attendance record. As the Cubs chief, and in his previous role as senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting, he was widely viewed as a sports marketing and management innovator who played a major role in growing the Cubs’ fan base and attracting sponsorships for one of the most successful pro sports franchises in America.

McDonough’s visit will also include media interviews.

MCA’s Dance Repertory Company announces auditions for ‘Nutcracker’

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host auditions Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 4 p.m. for the Dance Repertory Company’s 2010 production of The Nutcracker.

Auditions will be held at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St., and are free and open to dancers, actors, and community members ages 5 to adult. A variety of roles are available for this year’s Nutcracker performances, which will be held Dec. 2-5, 2010 at Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre.

All interested candidates are encouraged to wear movable clothing and are asked to bring a photo of themselves to the audition. (Color or black and white photos of any size are acceptable.) Intermediate and advanced dancers should be dressed in appropriate ballet attire. Children ages 12 or younger should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In preparation for the auditions, students are invited to participate in MCA’s Nutcracker Pre-Audition Workshops, Aug. 25 and 26. These workshops offer the opportunity for students to learn stage direction, pantomime, improvisation, and dance technique skills needed to be successful at an audition. Additionally younger students can be familiarized with the Nutcracker audition setting before the actual audition. The workshops also offer more advanced dance students the opportunity to participate in technique classes at the end of the summer as well as meet the directors. Tuition for the pre-audition workshops varies depending on class length and level.

Presenting The Nutcracker every other holiday season, The Dance Repertory Company continues a special holiday tradition. Children and adults alike will enjoy this timeless classic that allows us to transform into a child again, and experience the magical spells of Herr Drosselmeyer and the sweet dreams of Clara with visions of Nutcracker princes and Sugar Plum fairies.

For more information about the Aug. 25-26 pre-audition workshops or the Sept.1 Nutcracker auditions, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Saint Mary’s listed in U.S. News ‘Best National Universities’ category

WINONA, Minn. — U.S. News & World Report has ranked Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in its “Best National Universities” survey for 2011. The annual listing of more than 1,400 schools was released today and is available online at www.usnews.com.

Saint Mary’s is ranked 183rd in the first tier of the U.S. News “National Universities” category, which includes 262 schools overall. The second tier schools in this category are not ranked numerically.

Taking top honors in the “National Universities” category are Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University. Saint Mary’s, St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota are the only Minnesota schools represented in this category.

Bob Conover, vice president for communication, noted that this is the third national survey in recent weeks to list Saint Mary's. He said the surveys show that “students enjoy a great academic experience at Saint Mary's, and they're pleased with the results.”

U.S. News designates schools as National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges.

The “National Universities” category includes American universities (public and private) that offer a full range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees.

Winona State University and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse were listed as first tier schools in the Regional Universities — Midwest category.

The method that U.S. News uses to rank colleges and universities consists of three basic steps. Schools are divided primarily by mission and region, and data is gathered from each institution on indicators of academic excellence. The indicators fall into seven categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance. The indicators include input measures that reflect a school’s student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job of educating students.

Saint Mary’s named on Forbes List of ‘America’s Best Colleges’

WINONA, Minn. — Forbes.com’s 2010 list of “America’s Best Colleges” ranks Saint Mary’s University as No. 457 out of the 610 schools listed as “the best public and private colleges and universities — from the student's point of view.”

The third-annual ranking of “America's Best Colleges,” compiled by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, ranks a select group of more than 600 undergraduate institutions based on the quality of the education they provide, the experience of the students and how much they achieve.
• They based 27.5 percent of the rankings on student satisfaction, using student evaluations recorded on the website RateMyProfessors.com, freshman-to-sophomore retention rates and student evaluations from MyPlan.com.
• Another 30 percent is based on student postgraduate success, taking into account listings of alumni in “Who’s Who in America,” as well as in the Forbes/CCAP Corporate Officer List, as well as the salary of alumni from Payscale.com.
• An additional 17.5 percent is based on the estimated average student debt after four years.
• Another 17.5 percent is based on four-year college graduation rates — half of that is the actual graduation rate, the other half the gap between the average rate and a predicted rate based on characteristics of the school.
• The last component is based on the number of students who receive nationally competitive awards.

Forbes.com states, “To our way of thinking, a good college is one that meets student needs. While other college rankings are based in large part on school reputation as evaluated by college administrators, we focus on things which directly concern incoming students: Will my courses be interesting? Is it likely I will graduate in four years? Will I incur a ton of debt getting my degree? And once I get out of school, will I get a good job?”

Dr. Marilyn Frost, vice president for academic affairs, said she is pleased that Saint Mary’s is on the Forbes list. “It shows that our students feel enriched by the experiences they have here, and that they graduate and go on to have successful careers and be productive members of their communities,” Dr. Frost said. “The Forbes listing reinforces positive reports from other student satisfaction surveys, such as the National Survey of Student Engagement and the Princeton Review.”

The list can be found at www.forbes.com/lists/2010/94/best-colleges-10_Americas-Best-Colleges_Rank.html.

Area musicians invited to join Saint Mary’s Concert Band

WINONA, Minn. — Area musicians who love band music are invited to the Saint Mary’s University Concert Band’s first rehearsal of the season on Monday, Aug. 30, from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The SMU Concert Band was founded in 1990 as a college-community partnership ensemble, and is directed by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, professor of music and music education.

Rehearsals are held in Room 158 of Saint Yon’s Hall on the Winona campus. All interested musicians are welcome to attend the first sight-reading informational rehearsal of the season. Advanced high school students and adult community musicians are welcome to join the SMU collegiate members for an exciting season. The band performs a wide variety of repertoire, which will include a premiere performance this November of a piece composed by Paul Richards for the SMU Band through the bi-annual Kaplan Commissioning Project.

Placement auditions will be individually scheduled Sept. 1-4, and audition music will be provided to all players on Aug. 30. If you are interested in the ensemble but cannot attend the initial “info-rehearsal,” please contact Dr. Heukeshoven to make other arrangements. The Concert Band rehearses 6:45 to 8 p.m. Mondays and 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The band’s first performance this year will be the annual Family Weekend Concert on Oct. 2.

There are openings in most sections; contact Dr. Heukeshoven at (507) 457-1675 or e-mail jheukesh@smumn.edu for additional information and to reserve a spot for you at the first rehearsal. Please also specify which instrument you play, as well as your full name and contact information.

Individual tickets for Saint Mary’s Page Series on sale starting Aug. 16

WINONA, Minn. — Individual tickets for the 2010-2011 Saint Mary’s University Page Series — now in its 24th season — go on sale Monday, Aug. 16. A full season of performing arts from around the world begins Oct. 8.

Purchase tickets for just three events and receive 10 percent off your total ticket cost. Returning subscribers are eligible for a 25 percent discount.

Whether you enjoy performances centered around jazz or rock; classical ballet or Irish dance; family-friendly theatre or inspirational poetry, the Page Series delivers again this year. Order online at www.pagetheatre.org, by phone at (507) 457-1715, or at the box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Next Saint Mary’s gallery show highlights Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum

A case of wood type from the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum.

Workers at Hamilton Wood Type @1880

WINONA, Minn. — From Aug. 14 to Sept. 26, Saint Mary’s University will present an exhibit of 27 prints that were created as part of the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum’s 10th anniversary.

The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum of Two Rivers, Wis., is the only museum dedicated to the preservation, study, production and printing of wood type. With 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns, Hamilton's collection is one of the premier wood type collections in the world. These letters are not behind glass or partitions, but are instead organized and available for the layperson or artist to touch, and if they attend a workshop, use for printing. Prints from the wood type blocks are created during workshops conducted at the museum throughout the year.

The show, free and open to the public, will be on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

A reception for the artist printmakers will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Galleries. The film “Typeface” will be shown at 8 p.m.

“Typeface” by Kartemquin Films — a documentary about the Hamilton Museum — details how, one weekend a month, the quiet of Two Rivers is interrupted as carloads of artisans drive in from across the Midwest. The place comes alive as printmaking workshops led by, and filled with, some of the region’s top creative talent descend on the sleepy enclave. The museum is significant to the town’s history, but more importantly, its existence is critical to the worldwide design community who are passionate about the history of their craft and its function in the contemporary field. They believe the future of their industry may lie in the past.

For more information, call (507) 457-1652.

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

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of 152 schools receiving the “Best in the Midwest” designation for 2011 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 a variety of 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 2011 “Best in the Midwest” list are: Augsburg, Carleton, Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, Macalester, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, St. Catherine, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica, St. Thomas, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Crookston campuses) and Winona State University.

The 623 colleges named regional bests (218 in the Northeast, 133 in the Southeast, 152 in the Midwest, and 120 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.