Saint Mary’s University honors Rochester couple with Heritage Award April 12

Remicks pledge $8 million gift for scholarships

Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester received the Saint Mary’s University Heritage Award from Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s, during the university’s annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner April 12. At the event, the couple’s recent $8 million scholarship donation was announced.

WINONA, Minn. — Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester, Minn., were presented with the Saint Mary’s University Heritage Award for Transformational Philanthropy April 12 at the university’s annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner. The Heritage Award recognizes special individuals whose exceptional philanthropy has significantly transformed the university and positioned Saint Mary’s for a second century of excellence in education.

In one demonstration of this extraordinary generosity, it was announced Saturday that the Remicks have committed $8 million to be used for scholarships. This gift — the largest single donation ever pledged to Saint Mary’s — will be directed to the university’s First Generation Initiative. Mary Ann currently serves as chair of the First Generation Initiative advisory board, and the Remicks are long-time supporters of FGI and its Countdown to College program, which prepares first generation high-schoolers for college. Their financial contributions to this program have helped many young students reach their academic dreams.

The Remicks are inspirational champions of education and long-time supporters of Saint Mary’s University. Jack and Mary Ann have served on the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees for a combined 15 years and counting (Jack from 1999 to 2004 and Mary Ann beginning in 2004).

Their true passion lies in making education accessible and affordable for new generations of learners. The two formed the Saint Mary’s University Remick Fellows program in 1998, through which aspiring and current Catholic schoolteachers and administrators receive financial support and encouragement.

“It was Jack’s strong feeling that we started the Countdown to College program to help these kids — who come from challenging backgrounds — prepare for college, and they’ve worked really hard and they’ve done really well,” Mary Ann Remick said. “We really felt that we couldn’t let these kids down. We promised them an opportunity at a good college education. It has been a real joy to watch them become these very competent, capable seniors in high school who can now successfully move on to college.”

“The Heritage Award is only given to those who have exhibited ‘transformational philanthropy.’ There are no other words that could begin to define the work that the Remicks have done at Saint Mary’s. Their gifts ensure that bright young students with economic challenges, but also endless potential, be given the opportunity to excel academically,” Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s, said. “This has been our ongoing dream that every student who has a desire to attend college have the opportunity to do so. We are so very grateful that the Remicks have shared in our educational vision.”

“It really is an honor and a privilege to be given the Heritage Award,” Mary Ann Remick added. “We aren’t alums, but we have come to really love and appreciate Saint Mary’s and the people who are there, and they’ve allowed us to help them dream.”

Twenty books given to SMU De La Salle Language Institute through ‘World Book Night’

WINONA, Minn. — As a part of “World Book Night U.S.” on April 23, Nancy Wiltgen, a 1975 alumna and senior development director at Saint Mary’s University, gave 20 copies of “Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham to students at SMU’s De La Salle Language Institute and to other members of the SMU community. Wiltgen was just one of 25,000 “book givers” who gave away a half a million free books across America on April 23. Wiltgen, who also participated in the first World Book Night in 2012, was inspired to get involved in this program after working with an international student in 2011. The student told Wiltgen that she was interested in reading a good book in English that was not a textbook. John Grisham is one of Wiltgen’s favorite authors. For more information, go to www.us.worldbooknight.org.

 Each year, 30 books are chosen by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. The authors of the books waive their royalties, and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially printed World Book Night U.S. editions. The Book Shelf, an independent bookstore in Winona, signed up to be the community host location for the local volunteer book givers.

WinCraft donates to SMU Row, Ride, Run triathlon

Richard Pope, chairman and CEO of WinCraft, left, and John Killen, president and chief operating officer of WinCraft, right, display items donated to the Saint Mary’s University Row, Ride, Run triathlon along with Chris McClead, triathlon organizer, and SMU students Abby Voigt and Gracie Hoffman.

WinCraft graciously donated hundreds of lanyards, race towels and fridge magnets, as well as clipboards and plaques, to Saint Mary’s University’s spring Row, Ride, Run triathlon.

The last triathlon took place Saturday, April 28, and approximately 150 athletes from throughout the Midwest registered. Row, Ride Run participants canoed or kayaked a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then biked 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers ran 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

“WinCraft likes to support events that promote good health, education and events that benefit Winona,” said John Killen, president and chief operating officer of WinCraft. “The students of Saint Mary’s have done a great job of putting together the Row, Ride, Run to raise money for educational trips, and they promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Proceeds from the triathlon assist Serving Others United in Love (SOUL), a student organization sponsored by SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry. Through SOUL, students are able to connect with diverse communities by participating in national and international service trips.

 “WinCraft’s sponsorship has made Row, Ride, Run a significant triathlon in the tri-state area and helped us raise the necessary funds to allow all students — regardless of their financial status — to experience faith, community, service, and transformation on SOUL trips,” said Chris McClead, co-director of SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry and triathlon organizer.

Twenty books donated to SMU De La Salle Language Institute through World Book Night

WINONA, Minn. — As a part of World Book Night April 23, Nancy Wiltgen, senior development director at Saint Mary’s University, presented 20 free copies of “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls to students at SMU’s De La Salle Language Institute. Wiltgen was just one of 25,000 volunteers who gave away a half a million free books throughout 6,000 towns and cities across America on World Book Night April 23. Wiltgen was inspired to get involved in this program after working with an international student last year. The student told Wiltgen that she was interested in reading a good book in English that was not a textbook. “The Glass Castle” is one of Wiltgen’s favorites. For more information, go to www.worldbooknight.org.

SMU students make blankets for Gifts for Winona program

WINONA, Minn. — Students in a First-Year Seminar class at Saint Mary’s University, taught by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, made more than 20 children’s tie blankets as their Lasallian community service project. The class, the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women section, donated the blankets to families with young children who asked for help through the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program. These blankets will help make many children’s holidays warmer and happier.

New shell installed at Saint Mary’s University

The shell in the process of being assembled.

WINONA, Minn. — Because of the generosity of the late Joseph C. Page, Saint Mary’s University was able to purchase and install a new acoustic shell system for the Page Theatre this summer.

The steel shell, specifically designed and engineered for the SMU theatre, blends in with the architecture, and is surrounded by a high-pressure oak laminate. It stands 25 feet high by 44 feet wide and features two flying clouds with build-in lighting.

“This new shell will improve the quality of sound in our 455-seat Page Theatre,” said Michael Charron, dean of the School of the Arts and chair of the Minnesota Arts Board. “This benefits our own performers, but also allows the university to host a larger variety of musical venues. Winona has become a destination for quality arts programming, and we’re excited to be able to offer another location for performers to consider, thereby increasing arts opportunities in our community.”

An acoustic shell, funded by an estate gift in excess of $50,000 was part of the Joseph C. Page Revocable Trust Agreement. Page, a lifelong Winona resident and long-time Winona district court clerk, passed away in 1985, leaving an estate valued at $1.5 million and an estate plan that included a bequest to Saint Mary’s. In addition to his many philanthropic gifts at the time of his death, Page established a trust that paid all net income to his long-time deputy clerk during her lifetime. Upon her death in late 2009, the remainder was distributed to Saint Mary’s.

Saint Mary’s donates $1,400 to Volunteer Services Food Shelf

Saint Mary’s University donated $1,400 to Winona Volunteer Services to be used for the Food Shelf. The money was raised through campuswide fundraisers including potlucks and “Jeans for a Cause” Fridays. Presenting the check to Sandra Burke, center right, executive director for Winona Volunteer Services, are SMU Volunteer Committee members, from left: Cindy Marek, Coral Henthorne and Laurie Haase.

Saint Mary’s University receives $2 million gift for speaker series and scholarships

(WINONA, Minn.) —An anonymous donor has given $2 million to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The largest gift ever received by its Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs will fund endowed scholarships for adult, non-traditional students completing their bachelor and graduate degrees, and provide for a major new Twin Cities speaker series.

The series, to be held annually at a Twin Cities venue, will feature renowned guest speakers. Saint Mary's University will sponsor the event with its Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, whose student and community programs emphasize the importance of ethical principles, morals, spirituality, and free enterprise. At this event, the keynote speaker will present an award to an outstanding leader for their contributions to global ethical initiatives.

Brother Louis DeThomasis, Saint Mary's chancellor, expressed his "immense gratitude" to the anonymous donor, noting that this gift will help the university in its mission to make life-changing education accessible and affordable. "We're excited that the gift also will allow us to bring a top-flight event to the Twin Cities that will spotlight the national need for ethical leadership," DeThomasis added.

More than 4,000 adult learners at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota attend non-traditional certificate, bachelor-completion, master degree, specialist and doctoral programs at locations in Minneapolis, Apple Valley, Rochester, Winona, around the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and Nairobi, Kenya.

“The need for open discussion and learning on values-based leadership has never been greater,” commented Kaye O’Leary, chief financial officer of Buca, Inc., a Twin Cities business executive with interests in ethical issues. “This gift will help Saint Mary’s University to show our current leaders — and the leaders of the future — the importance of values-based, ethical leadership, and it provides a platform for the recognition of leaders who are getting it right.”

Saint Mary’s receives $560,000 from 1942 alumnus’ trust fund

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University has announced a monetary gift of more than $560,000 from the late Philip Morris, class of 1942, and his wife, Patricia, both of Green Valley, Ariz., and formerly of Kansas.

The Morrises created the Morris Family Trust, which stipulated — upon the death of the surviving spouse — that 90 percent of their combined estate would be distributed to Saint Mary’s University in memory of Professor Robert Woods of the Economics Department and Brother Luke A. Herbert, former university librarian. The remaining 10 percent went to America’s Press, Inc. in New York, N.Y.

The gift will be used for the university-designated endowment.

Philip Morris was active in the Saint Mary’s alumni organization and in fundraising for the Saint Thomas More Chapel on the Winona campus.