Christian Brothers’ award to honor lifetime service of Saint Mary’s President Brother William Mann

WINONA, Minn. —The Christian Brothers’ Office of Lasallian Education will honor Brother William Mann, FSC, president of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, with the Brother John Johnston, FSC Award at a banquet Nov. 17 in Washington, D.C.

This award is the highest honor given in the De La Salle Christian Brothers Region of North America, which encompasses Lasallian education in the United States and Canada. Brother John Johnston, a 1955 Saint Mary’s alum, was former Superior General of the Christian Brothers. This award recognizes Brothers and Lasallian partners who, like Brother John Johnston, have endeavored on the international or regional levels over many years to advance the mission of providing a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor. The award is presented to those whose leadership, teaching, evangelization, or scholarly research and writing have borne witness to an abiding faith and zeal, and whose efforts have had a transformative impact upon the Christian Brothers’ founding story as lived today.

Brother William Mann has exemplified these qualities over his more than 40 years of service including as a teacher, leader, lecturer, and scholar. He has touched the hearts of Lasallians in his work at many levels, from individual schools to conferences to the headquarters of the worldwide Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Brother William is currently the 13th president of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this academic year. Not only does he encourage academic excellence at every level at Saint Mary’s, he has focused on specific initiatives that strengthen the Lasallian Catholic nature of the university.

Prior to becoming Saint Mary's president in 2008, Brother William served as Vicar General, the second highest officer in the worldwide Institute. He also previously served as Provincial and Auxiliary Provincial of the former Long Island-New England Province. He is a founder and long-term lecturer at the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies, a three-year Regional formation experience in Lasallian history, pedagogy, and spirituality. He also inaugurated and now serves as an editor of AXIS: A Journal for Lasallian Higher Education, an electronic journal serving Lasallian colleges and universities.

Brother William will be presented with the award at the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Awards Banquet at the conclusion of the Huether Lasallian Conference Saturday, Nov. 17, in Washington, D.C. The Huether Lasallian Conference is an annual gathering of Lasallian educators in the Region which explores emerging educational issues and themes. This year’s theme is Faith in Action: Global Engagement through Lasallian Education. 

Ninth-, 10th-graders prepare early to succeed in college

First-generation students from underserved communities
immersed in college life during second year of Saint Mary’s program

WINONA, Minn. — Fifty ninth- and 10th-graders from Chicago; Milwaukee; Minneapolis; Racine, Wis.; and Tucson, Ariz., are getting a head start on college success this summer, thanks to a first-of-its-kind program offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

From July 16 to Aug. 6, the university’s Countdown to College academic camp is providing these students (and teachers from their home schools) with activities that will help them prepare for successful college experiences. Countdown to College offers free classes, recreation, field trips, and room and board. Countdown to College will boost students’ skills, confidence and knowledge of how to negotiate the social and academic world of college.

Now in its second year, the program is welcoming each class of students for four consecutive summers. Currently 25 ninth-graders are experiencing “college” for the first time at SMU’s Winona campus. On July 30, they’ll be joined by 25 students from last year’s inaugural C2C camp who will return to Winona for two weeks of additional study and recreation. Each year a new group of ninth-graders will be selected to participate in the Countdown to College experience, resulting in a total camp population of 100 ninth- through 12th-graders by the fourth summer.

“To our knowledge, this is the first program in the nation that offers four consecutive years of early immersion in the college experience,” said Dr. Jane Anderson, Countdown to College program director, who helped develop the program.

Why the program is needed

Currently, about one of every two economically disadvantaged youth of color in the U.S. does not graduate from high school. Only a small percentage of Latinos and African Americans have college degrees. This is the reality even as demand is rising for better-educated workers who can function in today’s technologically complex global economy.

“Countdown to College is designed to ensure college success for first-generation students whose parents did not have the opportunity to go to college,” said Dr. Anderson. “First-generation students, many of them students of color from underserved schools and communities, are at an economic and educational disadvantage when it comes to reaching and finishing college. These are all factors that are known to significantly limit their ability to attend and succeed in college.”

Countdown to College highlights

Countdown to College seeks to break down the barriers to higher education by exposing youth directly to the college experience for two weeks each summer for four straight years. The first summer, each day is filled with college orientation and classes in reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, math and leadership. Their schedules also include supervised study halls, academic contests, sports, recreation, and field trips. Other college preparation subjects, such as science, are added in subsequent years.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the program is that it includes a teacher or staff representative from each of the participating students’ schools. They co-teach the classes alongside Saint Mary’s instructors. This helps prepare the university instructors to work with an increasingly diverse population of college students. In turn, the visiting teachers learn how to set their students up for success in college and how to help create a community of support around the students.

The participants in Countdown to College attend schools in the Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Racine, Chicago and Tucson metropolitan areas. Preference is given to graduates of Saint Mary’s middle school partners in the NativityMiguel Network of Jesuit and Christian Brothers’ schools, which are located in those cities.

Countdown to College is funded for 2010-2013 by a generous donation from Jack and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester, Minn., who are long-time supporters of Saint Mary’s University. Mary Ann Remick is also the chairwoman of Saint Mary’s First-Generation Advisory Board and a member of the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees.

Part of the broader ‘First-Generation Initiative’

Countdown to College is the foundation segment of Saint Mary’s broader First-Generation Initiative to improve college access and success.

"Countdown to College and our First-Generation Initiative reflect Saint Mary’s mission to make higher education accessible to learners, regardless of their financial situations,” said Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University.

Countdown to College graduates will receive preferential consideration to participate in Saint Mary’s First-Generation Initiative program, which provides college scholarships, and educational support to first-generation students who demonstrate financial need as well as leadership and academic potential. In 2010-11, 13 students received full to partial scholarships through the First-Generation Initiative. These scholarships provide financial support for tuition, room and board, books, computer, spending money, and one semester of study abroad.

“Students participating in Countdown to College may potentially become part of Saint Mary’s First-Generation Initiative scholarship program, which would be a seamless continuation of support for these students,” said Brother Edmund Siderewicz, assistant to the president for First-Generation and Lasallian Initiatives. “Our goal is to provide full scholarships and opportunities for our First-Generation students – study abroad, internships, life to the fullest – because we know these students have the potential to accomplish great things.”

Saint Mary’s University to host LVs Ride participants July 22-24

Bikers raising money to end poverty

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is hosting and sponsoring the LVs (Lasallian Volunteers) Ride, a cross-country bike ride that is raising money to end poverty in our nation’s underserved communities.

The proceeds of the LVs Ride — which routes from Astoria, Ore., to Long Branch, N.J. — will go to Lasallian Volunteers, a full-time volunteer program serving the nation’s most neglected communities. Lasallian Volunteers is a program of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, and provides dedicated, well-trained volunteers for one or more years of service to schools and agencies whose mission is to serve the poor. Lasallian Volunteers provide over 100,000 hours of service and serve over 8,215 children and families each year.

One SMU alumna, Glenna Kryzyanowski, is joining approximately 14 other LVs Ride participants for the coast-to-coast trip.

A leg of their journey will bring the bikers through Winona Friday, July 22. Saint Mary’s invites the public to meet participants and learn more about Lasallian Volunteers during a picnic on the plaza of SMU’s Winona campus on Saturday, July 23. Burgers and side dishes will be provided for a freewill donation. The picnic will begin at 6 p.m. with the riders doing a demonstration at 7 p.m.

The group will continue on its journey the morning of Sunday, July 24, and are expected to complete their ride on Aug. 14. They left Astoria, Ore., on June 14.

Other cyclists are encouraged to take up the challenge to fight poverty — cyclists are welcome for even a portion of the trip. To donate to this cause or learn more about the LVs Ride, go to www.lvsride.com.

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.

Saint Mary's honors faculty, staff, students, Lasallian educators at Founder's Day March 2

In honor of Founder’s Day March 2, Brother William, left, and Michael Gostomski, chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees, presented an honorary doctorate in educational leadership to Dr. Carmelita Quebengco for her work in the achievement of excellence in Lasallian higher education. Dr. Quebengco is currently executive vice president and chief operating officer of De La Salle Philippines, and chancellor emeritus of De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines.

WINONA, Minn. — At its Founder’s Day ceremony Tuesday, March 2, Saint Mary’s University presented an honorary doctorate to Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, executive vice president and chief operating officer of De La Salle Philippines, and chancellor emeritus of De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Dr. Quebengco was presented an honorary doctorate in educational leadership for her work in the achievement of excellence in Lasallian higher education. She addressed the audience about developing effectiveness in a Lasallian university.

Also honored were a dedicated staff member, a Lasallian educator within Saint Mary’s, and two outstanding seniors. Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of the founding of Saint Mary’s in 1912 by Winona Bishop Patrick R. Heffron.

Brother William congratulates Mary Becker who received the Bishop Patrick Heffron Award.

Mary Becker received the university’s Bishop Patrick Heffron Award for Service. Becker has served in the Office of the President since 1993. As the administrative assistant to the president, she provides a daily example of service and commitment to the mission of Saint Mary’s University.

Brother Stephen Rusyn, FSC, Ph. D., receives the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award.

Brother Stephen Rusyn, FSC, Ph.D., was chosen as this year’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator. Brother Stephen is a long-time professor of English at SMU’s Winona campus who was chosen because of his attention and dedication to students. Distinguished Lasallian Educator Awards are given by many Lasallian institutions in the North American-Toronto Region of the De La Salle Christian Brothers; they honor contributions and commitment to the Lasallian mission of education.

Additionally, the Outstanding Male and Female Senior Awards were presented to students who have demonstrated the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership and service. Above all, these men and women have shown genuine concern for meeting the needs of others. The Outstanding Male Senior Award went to David Dahlstrom, son of William and Rosanne Dahlstrom of Rochester, Minn. The Outstanding Female Senior Award went to Mariana Sanchez, daughter of Jaime and Bernadette Sanchez, of Puebla, Mexico.

Dahlstrom is an accounting and human resource management major and university baseball player. During his college career, he has been involved with the Lasallian Honors Program, KSMR radio, Delta Mu Delta (the international honor society in business) and Delta Epsilon Sigma (the national scholastic honor society). He also has competed in intramural athletics and volunteered at the ITA Literacy Clinic.


Sanchez is majoring in graphic design. She was a member of the golf and soccer teams, and also played water polo and lacrosse club sports. She’s shared her passion for sports by serving as Big Red, SMU’s Cardinal mascot and has helped to recruit other athletes. Sanchez also has worked with phonathon and completed internships with the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and with Saint Mary’s Press. For a creative outlet, she has exhibited work in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, designed T-shirts and event posters, and painted a mural in the Cardinal Club.

The following students were finalists for the 2010 Outstanding Senior Awards. Males: Gary Borash, son of Ron and Ann Borash of North Prairie, Minn.; Bill Duffert, son of Doug and Anne Duffert of Ramsey, Minn.; Zhe “Scott” Song, son of Shiqi Song and Haizhan Liu, of Xi’an, China; and Brian Smith, son of Brad and Sue Smith of Minneapolis, Minn. Females: Mary Gleich, daughter of Peter and Kathleen Gleich, of Hastings, Minn.; Vanessa Grams, daughter of Jean and Gregg Grams of Little Falls, Minn.; Molly Jewison, daughter of Dan and Marie Jewison of Janesville, Minn.; and Sarah Weir, daughter of Glenn and Veronica Weir of Oswego, Ill.

Clothing drive, music, speakers highlight SMU’s Lasallian Week of Peace

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Office of Campus Ministry has a full slate of activities planned for Lasallian Week of Peace Oct. 19-25. The theme of the week is “solidarity in peace as Lasallians across the globe.” Events — several of which are open to the public — will touch on many contemporary issues including immigration, genocide, war, personal peace and the expression of peace through music. Events will engage several different groups and organizations on the SMU campus.

The Lasallian Week of Peace schedule includes:

Monday, Oct. 19 — Sister Judith Schaefer, OP, Ph.D., university dean for university affairs, will discuss “How to bring peace into your life” at 8:30 p.m. in the President’s Room of the Toner Student Center.

Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Ernesto Velez Bustos of Centro Campesino Inc. will present “Immigration 101: What we know, but don’t understand about immigration,” at 6:30 p.m. in the Presidents Room of the Toner Student Center.

Thursday, Oct. 22 — The Winona Peacemakers will conduct a non-violent civil action from 4 to 5 p.m. on Broadway and Main streets in Winona.

SMU associate professor of interdisciplinary studies Stephen Pattee will discuss “Genocide: Personal & Communal Implications” at 7 p.m. in the Presidents Room of the Toner Student Center.

Friday, Oct. 23 — The Common Threads Clothing Drive kicks off from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Room B of the Toner Student Center. Gently used clothing and footwear for men, women, youth and infants will be available. A fashion show, featuring donated clothing, will begin at 4 p.m. The cost is 50 cents per item or $3 per bag, and all proceeds will go to the Dan Corcoran Catholic Worker House.

Carlos Lumbí, a singer/songwriter from Leon, Nicaragua, will perform at 8 p.m. in the Toner Student Center Lounge. His lyrics cover a range of topics, focusing on Central American social and environmental justice issues, and his musical style is folk/trova. Lumbí has also set to music poems by Gioconda Belli, Ernesto Cardenal and Francisco Ruiz Udiel, among others. Along with his own music, Lumbí performs songs by friends from Nicaragua who also sing of a deep desire for social, economic and environmental justice in Nicaragua.

Students will be raising awareness about the millions of people who do not have adequate shelter to sleep during Habitat for Humanity’s Shack-a-thon from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the Plaza. Students will be sleeping outside in cardboard boxes.

Saturday, Oct. 24 — The Common Threads Clothing Drive continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Room B of the Toner Student Center.

Saint Mary’s will be volunteering as part of Make a Difference Day throughout the community from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make a Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.

Sunday, Oct. 25 — The Common Threads Clothing Drive concludes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room B of the Toner Student Center.