Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona grateful for Winona’s generosity

There wouldn’t be room to sign this letter with 1,400 signatures of thanks.

Those 1,400 people include close to 950 children who will excitedly rip open presents to find new toys and clothes this holiday season. I hope you all feel a sense of warmth knowing that so many of these children and teens will be ready for the winter with their new winter boots, mittens and coats.

Additionally, about 100 seniors are thanking you for a variety of basic necessities, including silverware, coats and blankets.

Because of the enormous growth of this program, Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona modified its program this year; youth younger than 18 and seniors older than 60 were eligible to apply. But, because of the outpouring of generosity of our donors, every family received either groceries or a grocery card as well. These families thank you for the food that will now fill their holiday tables.

Because of you, these families have been given presents for their trees and hope in their hearts. For the eighth year in a row, our community has made sure that no one goes home empty handed.

We know that our donors never see the families they help. They write checks and shop for presents for people they’ll never meet. And, they never get to hear the heartfelt “thank yous” or see the smiles and tears these families share with us when they receive their gifts. It is this kind of blind generosity that overwhelms us with humble thanks.

As we count our blessings for the past and upcoming years, we should also remember those less fortunate whose material blessings are just a little harder to come by this year. We hope and pray that 2010 will have many wonderful things in store for these families.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona volunteers will say an extra special thanks to all of you, including:

• the program’s additional partners, Winona Radio, Winona Post and Winona Volunteer Services;
• the many shoppers, wrappers, data-entry volunteers, sorters and organizers, who put in long hours without complaint;
• the many sponsoring businesses, schools, churches and organizations who helped groups of 10 or more;
• every individual who took a tag off of a tree or donated money;
• Fleet Farm for donating orange bags, Walmart for its generous donation; and our friends at Cars & Credit who always make sure there are no tags left.
• the Winona National banks, the Winona Public Library, Videoland, Scrapper’s Haven, Affinity Plus, Winona Post and Security State Bank for sponsoring giving trees;
• referral agencies who provided support;
• the staff and patrons of the Valéncia Arts Center for allowing us to take over the building for one of the gift distributions, and Fran at the Resource Center in St. Charles for helping to distribute gifts;
• and the area media for helping spread the word about this program and how to help.

We continue to be very blessed to be part of such a caring community.

Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona gifts due Dec. 11

WINONA, Minn. — The deadline is fast approaching to return gifts to the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees. Because the community distribution is early, gifts MUST be returned to giving trees by Friday, Dec. 11!

Approximately 1,400 tags went out through the program this year. The early deadline is a priority so that this large number of gifts may be properly sorted and recorded.

Because of the overwhelming generosity of the Winona community, tags may no longer be available.

Those individuals who have already taken tags should return their wrapped packages (with tags securely fastened) to the tree where they got the tag. Trees are located at the Winona Public Library, Scrapper’s Haven, the three Winona National Bank locations, Videoland, the Winona Post, Affinity Plus, and Security State Bank in Lewiston. Donors are asked to spend about $30 per person.

Tax-deductible contributions can also be made out to Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona and sent to 700 Terrace Heights #8, Winona, Minn., 55987.

The Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services join Saint Mary’s University in helping to make this program a success.

Saint Mary’s benefactor, alum William Hendrickson dies

WINONA, Minn. — William Hendrickson, 91, a 1939 Saint Mary’s University alumnus and founder of the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, died Friday, Dec. 4, in Naples, Fla.

Hendrickson was a native of Plainview, Minn., and director, chair and chairman emeritus of St. Jude Medical Inc. of St. Paul. He often said he was fortunate to work with and observe ethical leaders who recognized the importance of developing other leaders with high moral standards. He also observed the erosion of ethical leadership of some leaders in positions of authority. His desire to help reverse this trend led to his establishing scholarships, a speaker series founded on ethics, the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership at Saint Mary’s University, and the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership Forum.

“Bill Hendrickson said on more than one occasion that his objective was to do nothing less than change the world,” said Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s. “His generosity and vision touched the lives of hundreds of students through scholarship programs based upon good character. These students have gone on to become the change that Bill wanted to see in the world.”

In 1988, Bill and his wife, Jean, invited Saint Mary’s to partner with them to identify, encourage, nurture and develop creative, ethical and globally oriented leaders. The Hendricksons funded the first of Saint Mary’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarships. These scholarships provide assistance to students who commit to a lifestyle of ethical behavior and good character. Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholars have provided society with well-rounded ethical leadership and, as graduates of Saint Mary’s, they are committed to playing a constructive role in creating an ethical society.

In 1994, the Hendricksons expanded their university scholarship program and established the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership at Saint Mary’s Winona campus. Over the years, the Institute has provided a variety of programming and training on ethical leadership, serving for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Bill and Jean Hendrickson furthered their commitment in 2003. Recognizing the need to nurture the development of young people of good character, they established the Tomorrow’s Leaders High School Scholarship Program. The scholarships provide incentives for Midwestern high school students to complete leadership and service projects within their schools and communities.

In 2007, the Hendrickson Institute was moved from Saint Mary’s Winona campus to its Twin Cities campus in order to expand programming to the Twin Cities community. Saint Mary’s University and the Hendrickson Institute established an annual speaker series, the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership Forum, and an annual award for ethical leadership.

A private family funeral is planned.

The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Hendrickson family.

McCullough, Winona’s Poet Laureate, to perform classic Christmas tale

WINONA, Minn. — Ken McCullough, Winona’s new Poet Laureate, and also the assistant director of Academic Advising and director of the PASS program at Saint Mary’s University, will perform Dylan Thomas’s classic, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Saint Mary’s.

The reading — free and open to the public — will begin at 4 p.m. in the Common Room, located on the third floor of Saint Mary's Hall. Refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by the Saint Mary’s English Department and MUSE, the university’s English club.

SMU jazz combos to perform at Acoustic Café Dec. 13

WINONA, Minn. — Two student jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven of the Saint Mary’s University Music Department will present a free concert from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Acoustic Café in Winona.

This event will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester. The performance serves as their “final exam.” They'll be playing well-known jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis, as well as some unique hybrid arrangements of popular jazz tunes blended with familiar Christmas tunes by Heukeshoven.

Biology students receive Tribeta research grants

Five Saint Mary’s University biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships including, from left: Brianna Braun, Angela Lager, John Fox, Ashley Loos and Hilary Framke.

WINONA, Minn. — Biology students at Saint Mary’s University were awarded Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation scholarships. Each student submitted a proposal for his or her senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students, their projects and their research advisors are:


• Hilary Framke, “Physiological responses to crude extract of Noturus gyrinus pectoral spine toxin,” Dr. Randy Krainock, advisor;

• Ashley Loos, “The response of Micropterus salmides to venom produced by Noturus gyrinus,” Dr. Krainock, advisor;

• John Fox, “The effects of tissue isolation from the fins of Noturus gyrinus on Leponis gibbosus and Mus musculus,” Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor;

• Brianna Braun, “Determining the paternity of Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuaria) in the bluffs around Winona,” Dr. Phil Cochran and Dr. Debra Martin, advisors;

• Angela Lager, “Genetic variation between and within local populations of timber rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus,” Dr. Martin and Dr. Cochran, advisors.


Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta advisor.

SMU entrepreneurship students raise money for humane society

WINONA, Minn. — Students from the Saint Mary’s University entrepreneurship class sold specially designed T-shirts this fall to raise money for the Winona Area Humane Society. Students pictured include, from left, Jake Lechner, Kathleen Pawlowski, Dave Dahlstrom, Lindsey Quinn and Emily Merchlewitz. Their professor, Jana Schrenkler, fourth from left, presented WAHS volunteers Karen Kryzsko, fourth from right, and Tammy Vondrasek, right, with a gift card for office supplies. Also pictured are Trixie and Al Przybylski, dog handler.

The 20-member class raised $600 for the WAHS with the sale of the first annual Cardinal Pride T-shirt, designed by students. With the proceeds, the class was able to purchase a $400 gift card from Office Depot and reimburse the WAHS $200 for the large animal steps shown. This project — a lesson in social entrepreneurship — is part of the business department’s focus on promoting and supporting the university’s new entrepreneurship major. Each semester, students choose a local non-profit organization in which to donate funds from their class-run business. If you would like to nominate a local non-profit organization to benefit from next semester’s entrepreneurship business, please contact Jana Schrenkler at jschrenk@smumn.edu or (507) 457-1491.

Film, presentation about Palestine offered Dec. 9

WINONA, Minn. — The public is invited to a video and presentation about Palestine at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Saint Mary’s University.

The free event will begin with a half-hour video about the Free Bethlehem Campaign. The video will be shown in Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall. The movie discusses the highly controversial Israeli West-Bank barrier, a network of fences with vehicle-barrier trenches. Following the video, Dr. Dorothy Diehl, associate professor and chair of the Modern/Classical Languages Department, will make a presentation about her visit to Palestine in the fall of 2008. Diehl will also give an update on conditions in Bethlehem.

The Free Bethlehem Campaign, sponsored by the American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights, works to educate Americans about the current situation in Bethlehem.

Area high schools advance in SMU High School Challenge

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University High School Challenge preliminary season finished Saturday, Nov. 21, with Round 1C. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing area schools in an educational forum. Participating schools come from Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and Northeast Iowa.

The following schools competed in October and November and are moving on to the Consolation Championship on Dec. 5: Bangor’s red team, Holmen’s white team, Blair-Taylor, Youth Initiative I, Aquinas, Cotter’s white team, DeSoto, and Decorah’s red team. Moving on to the Super Challenge Feb. 13 are: Cotter’s blue team, Riceville (Iowa), Decorah’s blue team, Logan’s red team, Lewiston-Altura, Regis’ green team, Holmen’s maroon team and West Salem’s black team. Other competing teams were: La Crosse Central, Bangor’s black team, North Crawford, West Salem’s orange team, Winona Senior High, Logan’s white team, Youth Initiative II, Weston, Regis’ white team, Alma Center Lincoln, Caledonia, La Crescent, Seneca, Onalaska and Osseo-Fairchild.

During the first rounds of competition, teams that win their afternoon game return for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games return for the Super Challenge Championship. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. All members of the school’s senior class with a B or above average are eligible for these scholarships.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at (507) 457-1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

Miles Johnston to highlight SMU jazz concert Dec. 4

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University will present an evening of jazz — featuring student jazz groups and guest musician Miles Johnston — Friday, Dec. 4.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theater, located in the SMU Performance Center. The Jazz Ensemble (16-piece big band) and Jazz Combo I, both under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will perform.

The Jazz Ensemble will perform a wide range of styles, featuring several distinctive student soloists, and Johnston, who is a multi-talented drummer, singer and cornet player. The set will include “The Nasty Blues” by Mike Carubia, which will include solos by Vanessa Grams of Little Falls on alto sax; Trevor Woggon of Viroqua, Wis., on trombone; Benjamin Scott of Rochester on bari sax; and bassist Joe Mazucca of St. Michael. Also included will be Mike Tomaro’s arrangement of Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington’s “Caravan”; “Smack Dab in the Middle,” arranged by Sammy Nestico from the book of Count Basie; and a new plunger trombone feature, “Keep the Stick” by Dean Sorenson. This piece will highlight the work of student trombonist Tom Briese of Rochester, Minn. Johnston will sing several selections from the Great American Songbook, arranged by Dave Wolpe for big band, including, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Just Friends” and “Night and Day.”

Jazz Combo I will play several recognizable works by Horace Silver like “The Preacher” and “Sister Sadie,” along with an outstanding arrangement of “Freddie The Freeloader” by Miles Davis, arranged by Frank Mantooth and featuring Johnston on cornet. Also, included in their set will be a new arrangement by vibraphonist Jeremy Johnston of “Black Magic Woman,” as played by Santana.

A jazzy Christmas tune or two will be included in the mix, and an additional Jazz Workshop Combo will perform in the lobby for a pre-concert show. Come early to enjoy music by these talented students.

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.

Miles Johnston

Miles Johnston has been playing music for more than 40 years. He studied music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then piano technology at the UW-River Falls.

While in the Army, Johnston played in stage band, concert band, marching band, and small jazz and rock groups. With the 3rd Armored Division Band he traveled throughout Germany, Holland, and France playing Fasching parades, concerts, beer tents, and Army ceremonial jobs.

After the Army and after finishing school, Johnston and his family moved to Rochester, where he has played with numerous bands.

When Johnston was in his early 40s, he decided to take up the cornet as a second instrument. After seven years of cornet practice, just as he had started to play publicly, he was humbled by the onset of Bell’s palsy, which temporarily paralyzed the left side of his face. It was a year before he could play publicly again.

In 2000-2001, he performed aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line flag ship the S.S. Norway. Since then, has been performing with the swing group 2 O’Clock Jump and doing freelance work. He also regularly plays with the Miles Johnston Quartet and as part of a local jazz trio and duo.