Students honored by Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding senior students Friday, April 12, at the annual Honors Convocation. Highlights of the evening included the announcement of graduate and professional school acceptances, grants and fellowships, and the awarding of the following special honors:

National Delta Epsilon Sigma Awards — Fellowship for Graduate Study, Sarah Anderson, daughter of Joe and Karen Anderson of Lino Lakes, Minn.; Scholarship for Undergraduate Study, Amanda Weber, daughter of Lawrence and Anne Weber of White Bear Lake, Minn.; and National Student Award, Anna Sonday, daughter of David and Mooreen Sonday of West St. Paul, Minn.

Future Alumni Committee Scholarship — Jacinta Jude, daughter of Peter and Anna Maria Jude of Maple Lake, Minn.

Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Awards — Anna Sonday, daughter of David and Mooreen Sonday of West St. Paul, Minn., and Peter Borash, son of Ron and Ann Borash of Bowlus, Minn.

Creative Spark Award (art and design award) — Brianna Bloomquist, daughter of Brian and Theresa Bloomquist of Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Kevin Martineau Award (business award) — Anna Sonday, daughter of David and Mooreen Sonday of West St. Paul, Minn.

Outstanding Accounting Major (business award) — Kyle Romanchuk, son of Michael and Jane Romanchuk of Anchorage, Alaska

Outstanding Entrepreneurship Student (business award) — Alexander Gilbertson, son of Darrin and Karen Gilbertson of Morristown, Minn.

Outstanding Human Resource Management Student (business award) — Blake Schuster, son of John and Julie Schuster of Mahtomedi, Minn.

Outstanding International Business Student (business award) — Kyle Maas of La Combe, Alberta, Canada

Outstanding Marketing Major (business award) — Anna Sonday, daughter of David and Mooreen Sonday of West St. Paul, Minn.

Outstanding Sport Management Student (business award) — Evan Saunders, son of Lynette Saunders of Chicago, Ill.

American Institute of Chemists Award (chemistry award) — Jake Traxler, son of Timothy and Jeanne Traxler of Le Seuer, Minn.

De La Salle Outstanding Preservice Teaching Awards (education award) — Abby Lough, daughter of Lawrence and Victoria Lough of South St. Paul, Minn., and Jordan Junker, daughter of Jaime and Maureen Junker of Glenwood City, Wis.

Best English Paper Award — Kate Larson, daughter of Michael and Anne Larson of Winona, and Michael John Wolter, son of James and Mary Wolter, Rushford, Minn.

History Department Distinction Awards — Meghan Campbell, daughter of Mary Campbell of Dyersville, Iowa; Anna Sonday, daughter of David and Mooreen Sonday of West St. Paul, Minn.; and Anthony Speltz, son of Peter and Maureen Speltz of Rollingstone, Minn.

Brother J. Robert Lane Historical Essay Award (history award) — Anna Sonday, daughter of David and Mooreen Sonday of West St. Paul, Minn.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence (philosophy award) — Gregory Bim-Merle, son of Matthew and Lucia Bim-Merle of Michigan City, Ind.

Father Andrew Fabian Scholarship (philosophy award) — Randall Vette, son of Lloyd and LeAnn Vette of Spearfish, S.D.

Brother Leo Northam Award (math award) — Sloane Kuramoto, daughter of Stanley and Natalie Kuramoto of Rochester, Minn.

Brother Laurence Walther Founder’s Award (music award) — Ashley Buhr, daughter of David and Lisa Buhr of Mankato, Minn., and Rebekah Kisrow, daughter of Michael and Rene Kisrow of Coon Rapids, Minn.

Performance Award (music award) — Jessica Ingvalson, daughter of Tom and Judy Ingvalson of La Crescent, Minn.

Psychology Distinction Awards — Sophie Harrison of Minnetonka, Minn.; Kathryn Metz, daughter of Robert and Maria Metz of Maple Lake, Minn.; and Katherine Smith, daughter of Scott and Elizabeth Smith of Lake Geneva, Wis.

Marilyn Frost Distinction Award (psychology award) — Sophie Harrison of Minnetonka, Minn.

Gerald Sullivan Outstanding Theatre Major Award (theatre award) — Samantha Gibson, daughter of Sally Gibson of Preston, Minn.

Grove Bree Holman Award (theatre award) — Kalinn Bangasser, daughter of Mike and Kathy Bangasser of Rogers, Minn.

Michael G. Flanagan Ghost Light Award (theatre award) — Rachel Kwiecinski, daughter of Bruce and Mary Gail Kwiecinski of Vernon Hills, Ill.

SMU Chamber Orchestra to perform April 28

The Saint Mary’s University Chamber Orchestra will perform “A Bach Family Festival” at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

This free public performance will include works by J.C. Bach, W.F. Bach, C.P.E. Bach and J.S. Bach including:

• “Overture to Temistocle”

• “Adagio and Fugue”

• “Symphony in F, H. 665”

• “Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G, BWV 1048;”

• “Orchestral Suite in B minor, BWV 1067” (featuring a solo by SMU’s Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, on flute); and

• “Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1032” (featuring a solo by Norman Lee, guest artist from Hong Kong).

The SMU Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, will collaborate on “This is the Record of John” by Gibbons/E. Heukeshoven.

Saint Mary’s choirs to perform April 27

The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers — under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea — will present a spring concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at 7th and Vila streets.

Guests will include the Northwestern College Varsity Men’s Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Tim Sawyer, and the SMU Chamber Orchestra.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SMU Jazz Groups present “Jazztennial” encore

The SMU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo One will present an encore performance of “Jazztennial - 100 Years of Jazz History” on Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. in the Slaggie Family Lobby of the Winona County History Center.

The performance traces the development of jazz throughout the 20th century – from the early beginnings to exciting contemporary explorations. A special tribute to the “Marinotes,” the Saint Mary’s Big Band that toured and performed dances throughout the upper Midwest in the late 1950s, will be one of many featured attractions. Freshman Gabriel Verges joins the ensembles as guest “crooner” on two selections made famous by Old Blue Eyes himself – Frank Sinatra.

The encore performance at the Winona County History Center is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted at the event.

For more information, contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at (507) 457-7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s to host Row, Ride, Run Triathlon

WINONA, Minn. — The annual Saint Mary’s University “Row, Ride, Run Triathlon” will take place on Saturday, April 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Lake Lodge in Winona and finishing on SMU’s Winona campus. About 100 athletes from throughout the Midwest are expected to register for the race.

Participants will canoe or kayak a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then bike 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers will run 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

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

Registration is $35 per individual or $70 per team. Teams can be made up of two, three or four members. The deadline to register is Saturday, April 20, and racers must provide their own canoes or kayaks.

Awards will be presented to the top three fastest individuals and the top finishing team.

Participants must be 10 or older to row or run and 15 or older to bike.

For more information, visit www.smumn.edu/rowriderun or call (507) 457-7268.

Dance Repertory Company to present annual spring concert

WINONA, Minn. — The Dance Repertory Company’s annual spring concert, “Juxtapose,” will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre.

For close to four decades, the Dance Repertory Company has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions, featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works. This year the DRC presents a production centered on collaboration with the arts. The DRC is the pre-professional performance group of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes, and stage performances.

This production will feature pieces from numerous genres of dance including hip hop, modern, jazz, tap, contemporary ballet and pointe. The theme is “collaboration” — with each piece incorporating another aspect of the arts … from live music to multi-media, and much more!

These dancers currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, Saint Mary’s University, and Winona State University. “Juxtapose” showcases the effervescent spirit, vibrant energy, and technical and artistic abilities that continue to inspire audiences year after year.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the SMU box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (507) 457-1715.

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Honors awarded at Saint Mary's Founder's Day

2013 Outstanding Seniors Constance Budin and Peter Borash

Gena Bilden, Brother Louis DeThomasis award winner; Tony Piscitiello, Distinguished Lasallian Educator; and Teresa Speck, recipient of the Brother H. Charles Severin, FSC Award for Excellence in Teaching

Brother William congratulates, from left: Brother Jean Manuel, Brother Terence McLaughlin and Brother Joseph Loewenstein.

 

 

Saint Mary’s presented awards to three Christian Brothers, a faculty member, a Lasallian educator and two outstanding seniors at its Founder’s Day celebration Tuesday, April 9.

Brother Joseph Loewenstein received an honorary Doctor of Humanities in honor of his inspiring leadership throughout his 70 years as a De La Salle Christian Brother. He served first as a teacher on the East Coast of the U.S., then as a teacher, vice principal and headmaster in Kenya, and most recently he served more than 30 years in Palestine. Brother Joseph has held a number of positions at Bethlehem University, including president and vice chancellor. In addition, he has heroically responded to the needs of those living in Palestinian refugee camps.

Brother Jean Manuel received an honorary Doctor of Humanities in recognition of 58 years of service as a De La Salle Christian Brother, through which he has touched the lives of countless students and families as a school administrator and English teacher. After more than 30 years at Bethlehem University, Brother Jean has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Church in the Middle East and to the world of Lasallian Catholic higher education.

Brother Terence McLaughlin, a 1944 Saint Mary’s alum, received an honorary Doctor of Humanities in recognition of his 72 years as a De La Salle Christian Brother, as a champion of racial equality, as an outstanding teacher, mentor and school administrator, and as an author. While serving as its president in 1963, Brother Terence broke ranks with the city’s culture code in Memphis and integrated Christian Brothers College high school, making it the first private school to enroll an African-American student in the Memphis region. This award to Brother Terence is being made on the occasion of the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Teresa (McNamara CST’76) Speck, professor of business, received this year’s Brother H. Charles Severin, FSC Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given every other year to an undergraduate faculty member who is recognized by both students and other faculty as exceptional in their teaching and engagement of students. The Severin Award recognizes excellence in teaching, communication and delivery, fairness in dealing with students, and the ability to encourage students to value the life of the mind. Speck is an organized and enthusiastic teacher who is always present to her students and colleagues. She is able to reach out to students while holding them accountable for content knowledge. Her students are well-prepared for careers in accounting and for the professional certification exams. In addition to her role with students, she plans and runs the first-year faculty mentoring program.

Tony Piscitiello ’69, M’82, senior advancement director, was chosen as this year’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator. These awards are given by Lasallian institutions in the North American-Toronto Region of the De La Salle Christian Brothers to honor contributions and commitment to the Lasallian mission of education. For more than 40 years, Piscitiello has served the mission, as first an admission counselor and later as vice president for admission and executive vice president, and now in his current position in University Advancement. Throughout his career, Piscitiello has demonstrated his Lasallian nature in his continued concern for the welfare of the thousands of students, families and alums he has encountered.

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 following students were named Outstanding Male and Female Seniors: Peter Borash, son of Ron and Ann Borash of North Prairie, Minn.; and Constance Budin, daughter of Bruce and Colleen Budin of Le Center, Minn.

Finalists for the 2013 Outstanding Senior awards were: Aaron Henry, son of John and Kathleen Henry of Hastings, Minn.; Bryan Moore, son of Bill and Andrea Moore of Winona and formerly of Woodbury, Minn.; Jay Olson, son of Frank and Sara Olson of Plainview, Minn.; Jake Traxler, son of Tim and Jeanne Traxler of Le Center, Minn.; Sarah Anderson, daughter of Karen and Joe Anderson of Lino Lakes, Minn.; Samantha Herbst, daughter of Paul and Peggy Herbst of Osceola, Wis.; Jacinta Jude, daughter of Peter and Anna Maria Jude of Maple Lake, Minn.; and Shannon Nelson, daughter of Nathan and Jill Nelson of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Additionally, every other year the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs awards the Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC Award to a staff member or fulltime faculty member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs in teaching, entrepreneurship, creativity and/or innovation, while serving as a model of the Lasallian Catholic spirit. This year’s recipient, Gena Bilden, associate vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services, has become known as a gifted leader who motivates employees and colleagues to strive for the highest levels of efficiency and excellence throughout her 13-year tenure. Among the many innovations that she has championed are Pathways, a community college recruiting program; SMU Central, a one-stop student services department; and Acalog, the online searchable catalog.

Saint Mary’s Concert Band to perform April 14

WINONA, Minn. — Celebrate spring with the Saint Mary’s University Concert Band on Sunday, April 14. The band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will present their annual spring concert, beginning at 3 p.m. in Page Theater.

The program includes exciting new works by Johan de Meij, Frank Ticheli, Samuel Hazo and Richard Saucedo, as well as classic favorites by Bernstein and Tschesnokoff.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the box office, Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Saint Mary’s seniors display work April 13-May 11

WINONA, Minn. — “Defining,” the Saint Mary’s University senior art show, will be on display April 13 through May 11 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center.

Students displaying work include Brianna Bloomquist, Jamie Cooper, Jennifer Daniels, Tommy Holme, De’Shanda Morley, Lisa-Marie Nihart, Amanda Rahman, Yuchen Ren, Jamie Stefely and Caroline Stringer.

An opening reception will be held 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The galleries — free and open to the public — are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Public symposium April 16 at SMU to address societal expectations of gender

WINONA, Minn. — A public symposium titled “In the Looking Glass,” hosted by Saint Mary’s University’s Saint Teresa Institute on Tuesday, April 16, is designed to increase awareness of how the media influences societal expectations of women and men.

The event will be held from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m. in the World Room, located in SMU’s Hendrickson Center.

The evening will begin with the film, “Miss Representation,” a documentary film that explores how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited — and often disparaging — portrayals of women. The film will be followed by dinner and a small group discussion.

Participants can then choose from several breakout sessions including:

• Who Wants to be a Porn Star? Sex and Violence in Today’s Pornography Industry— with Rosa Edholm, president of the Saint Teresa Institute and an SMU senior. (Must be 18 or older due to graphic nature.) This video slideshow offers an incredibly disturbing glimpse into the correlation between objectification, pornography and rape culture.

• Unrealistic expectations and Body Image Distortion— with Kelsey Brekke, Bridget Ryan, and Lexi Assimos of the Body Image Collaborative Lab at SMU. This discussion will focus on media influence on development of unrealistic body image ideals and subsequent body image distortion. Current research will be considered, as will the repercussions of body image distortion in eating and health behaviors.

• Gender as Portrayed in News and Entertainment Media — with Dr. Steven Schild, associate professor of social science at SMU. There’s no question that there’s gender bias in at least some media portrayals. That bias, though, isn't always as one-dimensional as you might think. Schild will examine and discuss items from news accounts as examples of gender bias that cuts two ways.

• The Image of Pageantry — with Serica Rowley, Miss Winona and a current SMU student.

What images comes to mind when you think of the Miss America or the Manhunt beauty pageants? Were you even aware of the Manhunt pageant? Join Miss Winona for this session to explore the myths and truths of beauty pageants.

At 7:45 p.m., the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Trisha Karr, assistant professor of psychology at SMU, will tie the evening’s themes together. Karr has done extensive research on the body image of athletes.

For more information or to register online, go to www.smumn.edu/lookingglass by April 10. SMU students will be admitted for free; others are asked to pay a $12 dinner fee.