Saint Mary's University to honor President Emeritus and recognize Christian Brothers leaders

MINNEAPOLIS — Brother Louis DeThomasis, FSC, President Emeritus of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, will be honored Thursday, Feb. 13, at a special event in the university’s Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis.

The event will include a dedication of Brother Louis Hall, formerly Park Avenue North (PAN). In addition, Brother Louis and four other Christian Brothers who have served as presidents at institutions throughout the nation will be recognized and presented with honorary doctorates. The event is scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. in the Saint Mary’s University Center, 2540 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis. The indoor ceremony will be followed by a reception with light refreshments.

During a 21-year tenure that began in 1984, Brother Louis helped increase Saint Mary’s enrollment from 1,400 students to more than 5,000. He also oversaw expansion from a single Winona campus to locations in the Twin Cities, Rochester and Nairobi, Kenya. By 1996, graduate school enrollment had grown dramatically, and Twin Cities Business named Saint Mary’s the “Best College Turnaround” for that year. The Saint Mary’s University Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs have continued to build upon the strong foundation that was established 30 years ago under the leadership of Brother Louis.

The four other Christian Brothers to be recognized include:

• Brother Mel Anderson, FSC, past president of Saint Mary's College of California
• Brother James Gaffney, FSC, president of Lewis University (Ill.)
• Brother Michael McGinniss, FSC, president of La Salle University (Pa.), past president of Christian Brothers University (Tenn.)
• Brother Thomas Scanlan, FSC, past president of Manhattan College (N.Y.), past vice chancellor of Bethlehem University (Palestine)

Together the five have served more than 125 years as leaders of Christian Brothers institutions that follow a heritage of innovative, student-centered education. The Christian Brothers religious order was founded by Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers.

Saint Mary's University honors Michael Johanns with honorary degree

Sen. Michael Johanns receives an honorary doctorate from Brother William Mann,  president of Saint Mary's University.

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of his lifetime of work as a public servant, U.S. Sen. Michael Johanns (R-Neb.), a 1971 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota alumnus, was presented with an honorary doctorate by Saint Mary’s at its Winona campus commencement ceremony May 11. Sen. Johanns was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, for more than 30 years of distinguished service to society as mayor of Lincoln, governor of Nebraska, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and U.S. Senator. The Saint Mary’s citation noted that Sen. Johanns has “exemplified the characteristics of service and ethical leadership that this university strives to develop in all of its students and, by a life admirably dedicated in service of the common good, has brought honor and credit to his alma mater.”

Saint Mary’s named on Forbes list of ‘America’s Best Colleges’

WINONA, Minn. — Forbes.com’s 2011 list of “America’s Best Colleges” ranks Saint Mary’s University as No. 418 out of 650 of “the best public and private colleges and universities —from the student's point of view.”

SMU is also listed as No. 326 in the Forbes ranking of “private colleges,” No. 139 in “research universities,” and No. 105 “in the Midwest.”

The fourth-annual list of “America's Best Colleges,” compiled by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, ranks a select group of more than 650 undergraduate institutions — the top 20% of all undergraduate institutions – based on the quality of the education they provide, the experience of the students, and how much they achieve.

The rankings are based on five general criteria: Post-Graduate Success (30%), which evaluates alumni pay and prominence; Student Satisfaction (27.5%), which includes professor evaluations and freshman to sophomore year retention rates; Debt (17.5%), which penalizes schools for high student debt loads and default rates; four-year Graduation Rate (17.5%); and Competitive Awards (7.5%), which rewards schools whose students win prestigious scholarships and fellowships like the Rhodes, the Marshall and the Fulbright.

Forbes.com states, “To our way of thinking, a good college is one that meets student needs. While other college rankings are based in large part on school reputation as evaluated by college administrators, we focus on things that directly concern incoming students: Will my courses be interesting? Is it likely I will graduate in four years? Will I incur a ton of debt getting my degree? And once I get out of school, will I get a good job?”

Jim Bedtke, vice president for the College, said he is pleased that Saint Mary’s is on the Forbes list. “It shows that our students feel enriched by the experiences they have here, and that they graduate and go on to have successful careers and be productive members of their communities,” Betke said. “The Forbes listing reinforces positive reports from other student satisfaction surveys, such as the National Survey of Student Engagement and the Princeton Review.”

To view the entire list, go to www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list. To view Saint Mary’s page, go to www.forbes.com/colleges/saint-mary-s-university-of-minnesota.

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

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of 153 schools receiving the “Best in the Midwest” designation for 2012 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 629 colleges named regional bests (220 in the Northeast, 135 in the Southeast, 153 in the Midwest, and 121 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.

Students recognized at the Saint Mary's University Academic Honors Banquet

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding senior students Wednesday, April 27, at the annual Senior Academic Honors Banquet. Highlights of the evening included the announcement of graduate and professional school acceptances, grants and fellowships, and the awarding of the following special honors:

American Institute of Chemists Award (chemistry award) — Xin Ye from Xi’an, China.

American Chemical Society Award (chemistry award) — Sara Harstad, daughter of Charles and Lynn Harstad of Chatfield, Minn.

ACS Outstanding Senior Award — Jennifer Koezly, daughter of Edwin and Monica Koezly of Ham Lake, Minn.

Kevin Martineau Award (business award) — Dongyang Xie from Xi’an China.

Outstanding Accounting Student (business award) — Dongyang Xie from Xi’an China.

Outstanding International Business Student (business award) — Fei Zou from Xi’an China.

Outstanding Entrepreneurship Student (business award) — Erin Glovigen, son of Gene and Nancy Glovigen of Rochester, Minn.

Outstanding Human Resource Management Student (business award) — Steve Kimlicka, son of Robert and Debra Kimlicka of Bartlett, Ill.

Outstanding Sport Management Student (business award) — Laura Enstad, daughter of Steven and Linda Enstad of Austin, Minn., and Andrew Ruf, son of Richard and Jennifer Ruf of Chippewa Falls, Wis.

Outstanding Marketing Student (business award) — Kelly Wagner, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Wagner of Woobury, Minn.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence (philosophy award) — Maxwell Perri, son of Jeffery and Jeanne Perri of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Gerald Sullivan Outstanding Theatre Major Award (theatre award) — Lindsay Christensen, daughter of Dawn Christensen of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Brother Leo Northam Award (math award) — Ann Cummins, daughter of Robert and Mary Cummins of Birchwood, Minn.

Future Alumni Committee Scholarship – Steven Lochen, son of David and Jayne Lochen of Kimball, Minn., and Kristina Empanger, daughter of Jon and Carol Empanger of Chaska, Minn.

Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Award — Rebecca Sandager, daughter of Michael and Nancy Sandager of Luverne, Minn., and Lukas Wallerich, son of Randall and Peggy Wallerich of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Delta Epsilon Sigma – Maria Biebel, daughter of Robert and Mary Biebel of Winona, received the National Delta Epsilon Sigma Undergraduate Student Award; and Nakisa Khoshnevis, daughter of Hamid and Shirly Khoshnevis of Dayton, Minn., received the National DES Fellowship for Graduate Study Award.

History Department Distinction Award — Benjamin Eirikson, son of Philip and Debra Eirikson of Austin, Minn.

Saint Mary’s listed in U.S. News ‘Best National Universities’ category

WINONA, Minn. — U.S. News & World Report has ranked Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in its “Best National Universities” survey for 2011. The annual listing of more than 1,400 schools was released today and is available online at www.usnews.com.

Saint Mary’s is ranked 183rd in the first tier of the U.S. News “National Universities” category, which includes 262 schools overall. The second tier schools in this category are not ranked numerically.

Taking top honors in the “National Universities” category are Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University. Saint Mary’s, St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota are the only Minnesota schools represented in this category.

Bob Conover, vice president for communication, noted that this is the third national survey in recent weeks to list Saint Mary's. He said the surveys show that “students enjoy a great academic experience at Saint Mary's, and they're pleased with the results.”

U.S. News designates schools as National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges.

The “National Universities” category includes American universities (public and private) that offer a full range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees.

Winona State University and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse were listed as first tier schools in the Regional Universities — Midwest category.

The method that U.S. News uses to rank colleges and universities consists of three basic steps. Schools are divided primarily by mission and region, and data is gathered from each institution on indicators of academic excellence. The indicators fall into seven categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance. The indicators include input measures that reflect a school’s student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job of educating students.

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

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of 152 schools receiving the “Best in the Midwest” designation for 2011 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.

Other Minnesota schools included on Princeton Review’s 2011 “Best in the Midwest” list are: Augsburg, Carleton, Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, Macalester, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, St. Catherine, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica, St. Thomas, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Crookston campuses) and Winona State University.

The 623 colleges named regional bests (218 in the Northeast, 133 in the Southeast, 152 in the Midwest, and 120 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.

Students named to dean’s list at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — The following students were named to the second semester, 2009-10 dean’s list at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The list includes undergraduate students who earned a grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Kelsi Addabbo, Owatonna, Minn.
Sarah Adie, Chanhassen, Minn.
Lisa Aguado, Franklin Park, Ill.
Marie Allen, Wausau, Wis.
Margaret, Allexsaht, Minneapolis, Minn.
Andrea Allis, Wells, Minn.
Sarah Anderson, Lino Lakes, Minn.
Kayla Andrist, Eyota, Minn.
Abigail Ayotte, Mendota Heights, Minn.
Elizabeth Baertlein, Mazeppa, Minn.
Lauren Baier, Mount Horeb, Wis.
Neela Bajracharya, Nepal
Ryan Ballanger, St. Paul, Minn.
William Barghahn, La Crescent, Minn.
Brenton Barghahn, La Crescent, Minn.
Zachary Barry, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Julianne Bartosz, Mokena, Ill.
Nicole Bengtson, Eyota, Minn.
Leann Benson, Roseville, Minn.
Cassandra Berning, Cuba City, Wis.
Maria Biebel, Winona, Minn.
Sarah Bignell, Wabasha, Minn.
Gregory Bim-Merle, Michigan City, Ind.
Ellen Bina, St. Paul, Minn.
Ashley Blum, Buffalo City, Wis.
Michael Bonk, Hampshire, Ill.
Peter Borash, Bowlus, Minn.
Lauren Borkowski, St. Charles, Minn.
Jessica Bouska, Chatfield, Minn.
Brianna Braun, Cold Spring, Minn.
Theresa Breault, Houston, Minn.
Thomas Briese, Rochester, Minn.
Patrick Briscoe, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Andrew Brueggen, Holmen, Wis.
Lorelle Brune, Sterling, Ill.
Kassondra Burtis, Fairmont, Minn.
Katherine Cachey, Orland Park, Ill.
Meghan Campbell, Dyersville, IA
Jenna Capelle, Rochester, Minn.
Morgan Carlson, Theilman, Minn.
Yue Chang, Yancheng, China
Brittany Cherwinka, Faribault, Minn.
Lindsay Christensen, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Nicole Ciulla, Plover, Wis.
Nicole Clammer, West Concord, Minn.
Kelsey Collins, Apple Valley, Minn.
Thomas Conry, Waunakee, Wis.
Hannah Cooling, Madelia, Minn.
Ann Cummins, Birchwood, Minn.
David Dahlstrom, Rochester, Minn.
Daniel Davis, Ossian, Ind.
David Dean, Wayzata, Minn.
Emily Degallier, Fountain City, Wis.
Jonathan Delwiche, Andover, Minn.
Brian Dillon, Arden Hills, Minn.
Jonathan Dillon, Custer, S.D.
Katelyn Dobihal, Lino Lakes, Minn.
Anne Drazkowski, Fountain City, Wis.
Katherine Drazkowski, Fountain City, Wis.
William Duffert, Ramsey, Minn.
Benjamin Eirikson, Austin, Minn.
Sara Eisenhauer, Kenosha, Wis.
Rachel Elbert, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Kristina Empanger, Chaska, Minn.
Laura Enstad, Austin, Minn.
Luis Escobar, Madelia, Minn.
Santiago Escobar, Madelia, Minn.
Hilary Ethen, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Nikki Farmer, Medford, Wis.
Jonathan Fasnacht, Janesville, Minn.
David Feather, Oak Creek, Wis.
Mackenzie Ferguson, Arcadia, Wis.
Jordan Fetcko, Crown Point, Ind.
Lydia Feuerhelm, Winona, Minn.
Marie Fidler, Woodbury, Minn.
Laura Flicek, Wabasha, Minn.
John Fox, Winona, Minn.
Heather Frainey, Mundelein, Ill.
Hilary Framke, Stillwater, Minn.
Samantha Franklin, Schaumburg, Ill.
Gregory Freeman, Aurora, Ill.
Allyson Friestleben, Victoria, Minn.
Brittany Geerdes, Racine, Minn.
Jennifer Gees, Onalaska, Wis.
Amanda Gehrman, Stevens Point, Wis.
Cullen Gibbons, Circle Pines, Minn.
Jessica Giers, Winona, Minn.
Mary Gleich, Hastings, Minn.
Erin Glorvigen, Rochester, Minn.
Matthew Gorgone, Greenville, R.I.
Nicholas Gorman, St. Louis Park, Minn.
Vanessa Grams, Little Falls, Minn.
Rachel Grave, Buffalo, Minn.
Sarah Grundhoefer, W. Saint Paul, Minn.
Jared Haider, Forest Lake, Minn.
Nicole Haley, Plainview, Minn.
Corene Hancock, La Crosse, Wis.
Zachary Hansmann, Hugo, Minn.
Sara Harstad, Chatfield, Minn.
Bethany Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Aaron Hayes, Winona, Minn.
Neil Heacox, San Diego, Calif.
Thomas Healy, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Brian Heim, Caledonia, Minn.
Jackie Heintz, Caledonia, Minn.
Nicole Heitmann, Hayward, Wis.
Megan Hellmann, Oshkosh, Wis.
Aaron Henry, Hastings, Minn.
Michelle Hermes, Roseville, Minn.
Adam Hofer, Rapid City, S.D.
Michael Hofer, Rapid City, S.D.
Krin Hoiland, Rushford, Minn.
Tara Houlihan, La Crosse, Wis.
Thomas Howes, Princeton, Minn.
Cassandra Hulett, Milwaukee, Wis.
Lyric Hupp, Minneapolis, Minn.
Casey Jacobson, Apple Valley, Minn.
Andrew Jambura, Wauwatosa, Wis.
Megan Jantscher, Plymouth, Minn.
Meghan Jensen, Claremont, Minn.
Paige Jenson, Lake Park, Minn.
Brittany Joerger, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Allison Johnson, Austin, Minn.
Tiearra Johnson, Justice, Ill.
Timothy Jorgensen, Oak Park, Ill.
Jordan Junker, Glenwood City, Wis.
Cree Kachelski, Elgin, Minn.
Agnieszka Kadej, Luban, Poland
Melissa Kaffine, Owatonna, Minn.
Weijie Kang, Xi'an, China
Brian Kasel, Minneapolis, Minn.
Laura Kay, Rush City, Minn.
Katelin Keck, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Samuel Kehoe, Rosemount, Minn.
Billie Keilen, Faribault, Minn.
Sarah Kennedy, Lake City, Minn.
Nakisa Khoshnevis, Dayton, Minn.
Peter Kieffer, La Crosse, Wis.
Andrew Kilpatrick, Burnsville, Minn.
Steven Kimlicka, Bartlett, Ill.
Neil Kirchoefer, Metamora, Ill.
JoAnn Kirsch, Wesley, Iowa
Ingrid Klockars, Wheaton, Ill.
Katherine Klus, Norridge, Ill.
Nicole Kolupailo, St. Paul, Minn.
Rachael Korinek, Rochester, Minn.
Abby Kratzke, Dent, Minn.
Joseph Krause, St. James, Minn.
Alison Kremer, Iona, Minn.
Corey Krengiel, Lemont, Ill.
Melanie Krivachek, Fort Atkinson, Iowa
Brittany Kuehn, Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Amy Kujak, River Falls, Wis.
Justyna Kujtkowska, Bogaczow, Poland
Cherie Kulig Independence, Wis.
Rachel Kwiecinski, Vernon Hills, Ill.
Patrick Lafond, Batavia, Ill.
Yuan Lai, Xi'an, China
Sophia Lam, Burnsville, Minn.
Maria Lanari, Delano, Minn.
Gabrielle Langan, Austin, Minn.
Jessica Larson, Pine Island, Minn.
Kate Larson, Winona, Minn.
Laura Larson, Pine Island, Minn.
Sabrina Larson-Bushlack, Mapleton, Minn.
Jacob Lechner, White Bear Twp., Minn.
Lindsey Legatt, Sartell, Minn.
Steven Lehn, Hokah, Minn.
Yuepeng Li, Beijing, China
Jonah Lippert, Easton, Minn.
Steven Lochen, Kimball, Minn.
Justin Loeffler, Winona, Minn.
Ashley Loos, Loyal, Wis.
Abby Lough, South Saint Paul, Minn.
Cory Madison, Cottonwood, Minn.
Theo Manahan, Chatfield, Minn.
Stephanie Marnocha, Appleton, Wis.
Katelynn Martin, Lyle, Iowa
Christina Massee, Appleton, Minn.
Angela Mazzuca, Saint Michael, Minn.
Patrick McCaffery, South Bend, Ind.
Rachel McCarty, N Fond Du Lac, Wis.
Catherine McDonald, Ham Lake, Minn.
Robert McGuire, Rochester, Minn.
Kathryn Metz, Maple Lake, Minn.
Danielle Miller, Inver Grove, Minn.
Jessica Miller, Carver, Minn.
Joanna Mills, New Boston, Ill.
Erin Morgan, Appleton, Wis.
Caitlin Murphy, Cannon Falls, Minn.
Megan Murphy, Edina, Minn.
Brianna Nelson, Ham Lake, Minn.
Shannon Nelson, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Meagan Newbold, Rochester, Minn.
Brittney Nielsen, Apple Valley, Minn.
Laura Nolte, Owatonna, Minn.
LeiLani Oas, Minnesota City, Minn.
Alexis Olson, Altura, Minn.
Nicole Olson, New Brighton, Minn.
Michael Ostman, Saint Michael, Minn.
Cory Ostroot, Dayton, Minn.
Samantha Otto, Hampton, Minn.
Jason Papaconstandinou, Winona, Minn.
Leslie Paquette, La Crosse, Wis.
Kathleen Pawlowski, Chicago, Ill.
Amy Pearson, Buffalo City, Wis.
Maxwell Perri, Arlington Heights, Ill.
Brittany Peterson, Burnsville, Minn.
Michael Pica, Champaign, Ill.
Anthony Pikkaraine, Apple Valley, Minn.
Melissa Plein, Red Wing, Minn.
James Possin, Geneseo, Ill.
Regina Quandt, Minneapolis, Minn.
Jennifer Quicker, Neillsville, Wis.
Michelle Quinn, Onalaska, Wis.
Amanda Rahman, Rochester, Minn.
Andrew Rangitsch, Oakdale, Minn.
Naomi Rath Easton, Minn.
Mekenzie Reps, St. Charles, Minn.
Anne Richards, Chicago, Ill.
Joseph Richards, La Crosse, Wis.
Erin Roden, Albertville, Minn.
Valerie Ross, Hastings, Minn.
Suzanne Roth, Stillwater, Minn.
Erica Rubenzer, Jim Falls, Wis.
Andrew Ruf, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Courtney Runge, St James, Minn.
Jeunesse Rutledge, Mundelein, Ill.
Bridget Ryan, Alsip, Ill.
Joseph Rysavy, Burnsville, Minn.
Mariana Sanchez del Castillo, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Rebecca Sandager, Hills, Minn.
Jason Sandquist, Mounds View, Minn.
Evan Saunders, Chicago, Ill.
Stephanie Schaub, La Crosse, Wis.
Kristina Scherber, Brooklyn Center, Minn.
Timothy Schmall, Dubuque, Iowa
Jenna Schmidtknecht, Fountain City, Wis.
Kelsey Schneider, Portland, Ore.
Danielle Scholbrock, Potosi, Wis.
Jennifer Schurhammer, Kellogg, Minn.
Blake Schuster, Mahtomedi, Minn.
Benjamin Scott, Rochester, Minn.
Andrew Seifert, Andover, Minn.
Elizabeth Shewmon, Arlington Heights, Ill.
Kelli Sholl, St Anthony, Minn.
Anne Shutte, Columbia Heights, Minn.
Christopher Sindelar, Milford, Ind.
Catherine Smith, Chicago, Ill.
Kelly Smith, Red Wing, Minn.
Peter Snell, Lino Lakes, Minn.
Stephanie Solland, Albert Lea, Minn.
Anna Sonday, W. St. Paul, Minn.
Mara Sonday, W. St. Paul, Minn.
Zhe Song, Xi'an, China
Ryan Soukup, Sleepy Eye, Minn.
Jill Spitzmueller, New Brighton, Minn.
David Spriegel, Gurnee, Ill.
Katherine Stang, St. Cloud, Minn.
Christopher Stanish, Portage, Ind.
Pamela Stanton, Mundelein, Ill.
Emma Stenzel, Alden, Minn.
Hillary Stenzel, Minnesota Lake, Minn.
Danielle Strebel, Green Bay, Wis.
Daniel Streefland, Webster, Minn.
Caroline Stringer, Saint Cloud, Minn.
Stephanie Sturges, Woodbury, Minn.
William Such, Broomfield, Colo.
Kristina Swanberg, New Hope, Minn.
Pawel Szczepkowski, Kluczbork, Poland
Phillip Thomas, Hastings, Minn.
Ethan Thompson, Kellogg, Minn.
Smith Thongbai, Winona, Minn.
Linda Tierney, Cloquet, Minn.
Jacob Toliver, Rantoul, Ill.
John Trask, Wasta, S.D.
Jake Traxler, Le Sueur, Minn.
Lily Trelstad, Cannon Falls, Minn.
Bridget Trio, Mapleton, Minn.
Lauren Ulbrich, Rochester, Minn.
Vincent Unklesbay, Maplewood, Minn.
Stephanie Valentine, Omaha, Neb.
John Vallez, Eagan, Minn.
Amanda Van Leeuwe, Ghent, Minn.
Abby Voigt, Burnsville, Minn.
Kelly Wagner, Woodbury, Minn.
Peter Waldorf, Bloomington, Ill.
Lukas Wallerich, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Alexa Wallick, Eagan, Minn.
Yu Wang, Kunming, China
Brandon Wanless, Washington, Ill.
Sarah Weir, Oswego, Ill.
Johanna Weissing, Utica, Minn.
Rebecca Welch, La Crescent, Minn.
Emily Welhaven, Rochester, Minn.
Kaitlin Wermerskirchen, Shakopee, Minn.
Taryn Wirkus, La Crosse, Wis.
Marcus Wobschall, Waseca, Minn.
Ryan Wockenfus, New London, Wis.
Melissa Wolf, New Prague, Minn.
Leah Wooden, La Crescent, Minn.
Jennifer Woodley, Bloomington, Minn.
Dongyang Xie, Xi'an, China
Changyu Yang, Xi'an, China
Xin Ye, Xi'an, China
Fang Yuan, Xi'an, China
Ann Zajac, Hastings, Minn.
Tian Zhang, Xi'an, China
Tingting Zheng, Fujian, China
Fei Zou, Xi'an, China

Saint Mary’s seniors honored at ceremony

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding senior students Wednesday, April 22, at the annual Senior Academic Honors Banquet. Highlights of the evening included the announcement of graduate and professional school acceptances, grants and fellowships, and the awarding of the following special honors:

American Institute of Chemists Award (chemistry award) — Bethany Kaufmann, daughter of Keith and Ann Kaufmann of Green Bay, Wis., and Emily Mason, daughter of James and Kelly Mason of Rochester, Minn.

American Chemical Society Award (chemistry award) — James Mazzuca, son of James and Ann Mazzuca of Maple Grove, Minn.

Wall Street Journal Award/Business Student of the Year (business award) — Jakub Szymanski, son of Ryszard and Marianna Szymanski of Opole, Poland.

Kevin Martineau Award (business award) — Amanda Wiste, daughter of Daniel and Cheryl Wiste of Spring Grove, Minn.

Outstanding Accounting Major (business award) — Radoslaw Tomczak, son of Zbigniew Tomczak of Dolnoslaskie, Poland.

Outstanding International Business Major (business award) — Leah Hoglin, daughter of Jeffrey and Mary Hoglin of Burnsville, Minn.

Outstanding Management Major (business award) — Amanda Wiste, daughter of Dan and Cheryl Wiste of Spring Grove, Minn.

Outstanding Marketing Major (business award) — Holly Roffler, daughter of Merle and Susan Roffler of Pepin, Wis.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Philosophy (philosophy award) — Thomas Otto, son of Donald and Charlene Otto of Chillicothe, Ill.

Grove Bree Holman Award (theatre arts award) — Anthony Freeman, son of J. Mike and Joann Freeman of Aurora, Ill.

Michael G. Flanagan Award (theatre arts award) — John Montecalvo, son of John and Lisa Montecalvo of North Providence, R.I.

Brother Leo Northam Award (mathematics award) — Angela Buck, daughter of Patrick and Sharon Buck of Appleton, Wis.; and Kristi Recke, daughter of Richard and Therese Recke of Edina, Minn.

Distinction in Studies/Academic Work (social sciences award) — Sarah Windschitl, daughter of Bernard and Bernadette Windschitl of Houston, Minn.

Distinction in Studies/Academic Work-Social Activism (social sciences award) — Laura Holupchinski, daughter of Greg and Cindy Holupchinski of St. Paul, Minn.

Future Alumni Committee Scholarship — Sarah St. Laurent, daughter of Linda St. Laurent of Riverside, R.I.

Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Awards — Neil Leibundguth, son of William and Laura Leibundguth of Westchester, Ill.; and Sarah Mueller, daughter of Gregory and Kathy Mueller of Bloomington, Minn.

Five Saint Mary’s athletes to be honored during Cardinal ‘M’ Club weekend

Five members are being inducted into the Hall of Fame including: Jen Garin, Brad Wiley, Katie Kortsch, Dick Kuehl and Duane Kuehl (posthumously).

The Saint Mary’s University Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Alumni Office, will induct five members into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame during Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14.


The Hall of Fame Class of 2008 — Jen Garin ’99 (fastpitch softball), Dick Kuehl ’57 (baseball), Duane Kuehl ’58 (baseball) posthumously, Katie Kortsch ’95 (women's soccer) and Brad Wiley ’90 (men's hockey) — will be honored during a ceremony Saturday evening, Sept. 13, in the SMU gymnasium.


Along with the induction of this year’s Hall of Fame class, Saturday’s ceremony will also honor former men’s hockey coach and athletic director Don Olson for his 32 years of dedicated service to the university. SMU’s 2007-08 postseason award-winners, as well as last year’s outstanding male and female athletes, and outstanding scholar athletes, will also be recognized. The weekend festivities conclude on Sunday with various alumni games held on the SMU campus.


SMU HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2008

Jen Garin ’99 (fastpitch softball): A first-team All-American in 1997, Jen Garin was a four-year starter on the Saint Mary’s University fastpitch softball team. Garin was an honorable-mention All-MIAC selection in 1996 and 1999, while earning first-team all-conference and first-team All-West Region honors in 1997. A GTE Academic All-American as a junior in 1998, Garin was a member of three straight conference championship teams in 1997, 1998 and 1999, while also serving as an assistant coach for the 2000 NCAA Division III national championship team. She ranks No. 1 in career batting average (.426) and career hits (214), while ranking second in career RBIs (132) and third in career total bases (296).



Dick Kuehl ’57 (baseball): Dick Kuehl, a member of two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions in 1954 and 1957, remains among the top statistical players in Saint Mary’s baseball history, ranking sixth in career slugging percentage (.645) and 12th in career batting average (.365). Kuehl also ranked seventh in the nation in slugging percentage (.825) and 16th in batting average (.460), while playing errorless in the field during his senior season in 1957. Upon graduation, Kuehl signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.


Duane Kuehl ’58 (baseball / posthumously): Duane Kuehl played on Saint Mary’s 1957 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship team and currently ranks eighth in career RBIs (75), and 20th in career total bases (147) and career batting average (.336). During his junior season in 1957, Kuehl ranked 12th in the nation in slugging percentage and 56th in the nation with a .418 batting average. Upon graduation, Kuehl spent time in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.



Katie Kortsch ’95 (women’s soccer): A three-time All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pick, Katie Kortsch was a first-team All-American in 1994, while also earning first-team All-West Region honors in 1993 and 1994, and second team All-West Region honors in 1992. Primarily a defender, Kortsch closed out her collegiate career ranking fourth in career assists (27) and 10th in career points (67).


Brad Wiley ’90 (men’s hockey): A two-time All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, Brad Wiley was a first-team All-American in 1990, after earning second-team All-American honors in 1989. Wiley finished his collegiate career with 123 career goals, ranking him second all-time, while his 182 career points are fifth all-time.

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

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is one of 159 schools receiving the “Best in the Midwest” designation for 2009 from the Princeton Review, a national college guide and ranking program. Results were announced in July.

Each year, the Princeton Review profiles colleges and universities that “uphold the standards of the Best Midwestern College distinction and provide students with a wide breadth of excellent schools to consider.” The Princeton Review survey asks students to rate their own schools on several 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.

Other Minnesota schools included on Princeton Review's 2009 “Best in the Midwest” list are: Augsburg, Carleton, Crown College, Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, Macalester, North Central University, St. Catherine, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica, St. Thomas, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Crookston campuses) and Winona State University.

The 630 colleges named regional bests (212 in the Northeast, 139 in the Southeast, 159 in the Midwest, and 120 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.

SMU dean appointed to state arts board

WINONA, Minn. — Governor Tim Pawlenty announced Friday, June 20, the appointment of three members — including Michael Charron of Winona — and the reappointment of one member to the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Charron is the dean of Saint Mary’s University’s School of the Arts. He is a former professor of theater arts and chair of the theater department at Concordia University in St. Paul. He also is a former board member of the Hill Murray Community Theater and the Woodbury Fine Arts Council. He holds a Master of Fine Arts and Theater degree from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater, English and secondary education from Saint Mary’s. Charron is appointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires Jan. 2, 2012. He replaces Jane Belau on the board.

Other appointments include: Brooke Barsness of Fergus Falls and Mary Beth Schubert of Inver Grove Heights. Ellen McInnis of Robinsdale was reappointed for another four-year term.

The Minnesota State Arts Board attempts to enrich the quality of life in Minnesota by making the arts accessible to all citizens, nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression and preserving the state’s diverse artistic heritage. The board provides grants and services to individual artists, arts organizations, schools, colleges and universities, communities and other organizations that sponsor arts activities. The board is made up of 11 members appointed by the governor.