Saint Mary’s welcomes John Pyle as Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University has announced that John Pyle, Ed.D., has taken over the new role of Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives. In this role, Pyle will be responsible for enrollment at the College, marketing for the university, and strategic initiatives as approved by the president.

Pyle comes to Saint Mary’s from Aurora University where he served as Senior Vice President with chief operating responsibilities for Aurora University’s Wisconsin-based campus, George Williams College. Prior to that role, Pyle served as Associate Vice President for Planning and Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing at Hamline University. Pyle was also the former Vice President for Graduate and Professional Programs at Saint Mary’s. 

Pyle has an Ed.D. from Saint Mary’s, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Immaculata College, and he has participated in the Harvard Institute for Higher Education. Pyle, who began his appointment on Aug. 26, will reside in Winona.

120 SMU students to volunteer in Winona community Saturday

Winona Friendship Center project to involve 80 students

WINONA, Minn. — About 120 students from Saint Mary’s University — a mixture of athletes and new students — will serve six organizations in Winona on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of New Student Volunteer Day.

Throughout the day, about 80 students will be painting the main room of the Winona Friendship Center, located at Main and 5th streets. The Friendship Center received a “Picture-It-Painted” Grant from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, in partnership with Valspar Corporation, and Saint Mary’s students will help bring some much-needed color to their space. The room — after 41 gallons of paint — will go from off-white to a rich green with brown accents. The Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors and Campus Ministry are collaborating with the Friendship Center and organizers of the event.

New Student Volunteer Day is dedicated to providing new SMU students with the opportunity to engage with the Winona community, and to be inspired by the Lasallian spirit of service early in their college careers.

Blackhawks President, CEO John McDonough to bring Stanley Cup to SMU Sept. 6

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks

WINONA, Minn. — On Friday, Sept. 6, John McDonough, President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, will bring the Stanley Cup to his alma mater, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. His visit will include a public rally and viewing of the Cup on the Winona campus.

Three years ago, the Chicago Blackhawks put an end to a 49-year Stanley Cup drought, earning their first NHL title since 1961 with a stunning win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

McDonough (a 1975 Saint Mary’s University alum) was right there hoisting the Cup with the rest of the Blackhawk players and staff.

On June 24, Chicago did it again, as the Blackhawks claimed their second Stanley Cup title in a three-year span with a clinching 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

And on Friday, Sept. 6, McDonough will bring the championship spirit — and the Cup — to Saint Mary’s.

“On behalf of Saint Mary’s, let me say how honored we are that John has chosen to share the Stanley Cup with his alma mater and how proud we are of John and his continued accomplishments,” said Brother William Mann, Saint Mary’s President. “Under his leadership, the Blackhawks have taken home the Cup twice, and the Saint Mary’s community has celebrated with him every step of the way.”

Everyone is invited to a public rally from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Gostomski Fieldhouse — during which McDonough will address the crowd and the Cup will be on display.

Following the rally, a limited number of attendees will have an opportunity to take pictures with the Stanley Cup from 5 to 7 p.m., in the fieldhouse. Due to time constraints with the Cup, only those with wristbands will have the opportunity for an up-close photo. Wristbands will be given out beginning at 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to begin lining up at 1:30 p.m.

Saint Mary’s volunteers will direct attendees on where to park and line up. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule may be subject to change.

Saint Mary’s welcomes The Second City Sept. 5 to kick off 2013-14 Page Series

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University kicks off its Page Series offerings with the side-splitting comedic talents of The Second City Thursday, Sept. 5.

Drawing on classic material from The Second City archives as well as scenes ripped from the morning headlines, The Second City’s Happily Ever Laughter is your chance to see comedy stars in the making in an evening of smart, cutting edge comedy.

The Second City continues to deliver the leading voices in comedy while touring the globe. With scripted and improvisational elements, audiences always enjoy being part of the show and playing along with the next generation of comic legends. Many of comedy’s brightest stars have hit the road with The Second City Touring Company including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Keegan Michael Key and most recently, current Saturday Night Live stars Cecily Strong, Tim Robinson and Jason Sudeikis.

The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre. Tickets are $27 for adults, $24 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org, or at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

MCA announces fall 2013 DRC II auditions Sept. 5

Carter Briggs, a Dance Repertory Company student, practices his hip-hop moves.

WINONA, Minn. — Auditions for the Dance Repertory Company II will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St.

The DRC II will present a winter dance concert Dec. 6-7 at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre. Roles are available for beginning- and intermediate-level dance students ages 5 to 13.

Auditions are free and open to the public. DRC II members are required to enroll in at least one dance class at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. A $50 performance fee is required.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for youth ages 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center.

For more information, contact MCA Director of Dance, Tammy Schmidt, at tschmidt@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Class days, times and tuition vary.  Financial need-based scholarships are available. For a brochure and a complete listing, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call (507) 453-5500.  Interested students may register online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Conservatory to conduct open house Sept. 4

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will be conducting its fall registration open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St.

MCA offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for youth ages 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center.

Register early for:

·      New art division classes including “Architecture for Kids” and “Drawing 101.”
·      Dance programming in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip hop and tap with new course divisions.
·      Private music lessons with talented teaching artists.
·      New partner workshops with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and Great River Shakespeare Festival.
·      Advanced training for those serious about dance with an additional Ballet V/VI/VII class.
·      New adult wellness classes including folk music workshops, “Intro to Guitar,” “Self Portrait Workshop,” and “Belly Dancing for Beginners.”

Class days, times and tuition vary.  Financial need-based scholarships are available. For a brochure and a complete listing, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call (507) 453-5500.  Interested students may register online, by mail, or in person at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

SMU Concert Band invites area musicians to join

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. 26, from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The Saint Mary’s University 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 Saint Yon’s Hall, (Room 158) on SMU’s Winona campus. All interested musicians are welcome to attend the first sight-reading informational rehearsal of the season. Advanced high school students, students from Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical who were active in their high school bands, and experienced adult community musicians are welcome to join the SMU collegiate members for an exciting season. The band performs a wide variety of repertoire that includes a world-premiere performance this fall of a composition titled “Katanya,” composed by Larry Bitensky. The new piece was composed for the SMU Band through the Kaplan Foundation Commissioning Project.  This delightful new work is for narrator and concert band, and brings us a traditional Jewish folk tale through words and music.

Placement auditions will be individually scheduled; audition music will be given to all players on Aug. 26. 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. Wednesdays. The band’s first performance this year will be the annual Family Weekend Concert (shared with the SMU choirs) on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Detailed information regarding band membership and the auditions (held Aug. 28-31) will be available at the first rehearsal. There is a place for you in the band; contact Dr. Heukeshoven at (507) 457-1675 or email at jheukesh@smumn.edu for additional information and to reserve a spot for you at the first rehearsal. If you leave a message, please specify which instrument you play, as well as your full name and contact information.

MCA to receive 2014 operating support from the State Arts Board

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts was once again selected to receive grant funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

For the 2014 fiscal year, MCA has been awarded funding in the form of an Operating Support grant allowing the organization to continue to provide arts-based learning opportunities and programming to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds in Southeast Minnesota.
In 2010 and 2011 MCA was awarded funding through the State Arts Board’s Community Arts Schools and Conservatories grant division, and for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 years MCA was awarded formulary and merit-based funding for operating support. The consistent funding support by the Minnesota State Arts Board acknowledges MCA as a leader in community arts education for the state of Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Arts Board funding will help support and expand MCA’s current programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre for children and youth. Furthermore, the grant will allow MCA to venture into new community outreach projects, expand its visual art and theatre divisions, grow the Adult Arts Wellness program, and remain fiscally responsible with balanced budgets.

In the 2013, MCA employed 30 teaching artists, served more than 600 local children/youth as well as more than 100 adult students; additionally, more than 6,650 people attended dance and music performances and outreach events produced by MCA.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, exists to provide quality arts education and performance by nurturing and encouraging artistic expression in children and adults. MCA’s service to the community ranges from recreational to pre-professional performing arts curriculum and programming designed to provide physical and aesthetic benefits, heightened self-respect, discipline and confidence.

For more information about the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, an affiliate of Saint Mary’s University, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, or call (507) 453-5500.

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

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of 155 schools receiving the “Best in the Midwest” designation for 2014 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.

The 643 colleges named regional bests (225 in the Northeast, 138 in the Southeast, 155 in the Midwest, and 125 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.