Saint Mary’s biology students awarded research scholarships

Saint Mary’s University biology students, from left, Maria Borgerson, Nicole Haese, Ben Linder, Melanie Tyler and Lori Brunner, received Beta Beta Beta research scholarships.

WINONA, Minn. — Six Saint Mary’s University biology students were recently awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships. To receive consideration for the scholarships, the students submitted a proposal for their senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students and their research advisors are Maria Borgerson (Dr. Debra Martin); Nicole Haese (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath); Ben Linder (Dr. Martin); Melanie Tyler (Dr. Martin); and Lori Brunner (Dr. Richard Kowles). Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta faculty advisor.

Saint Mary’s University expands program to make private college accessible to more families

WINONA, Minn. – By expanding its Brother James Miller Program for Access, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is making a private college education affordable to even more students and families.

Through the innovative program, Saint Mary’s guarantees that the total cost for qualified freshmen will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (including tuition, room, meals and fees).

Most lower-income families will also qualify for federal and state aid to further reduce their expenses.

The U of M was chosen for comparison because it is Minnesota’s flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools.

When the Brother James Miller Program was introduced in 2007, the adjusted gross income (AGI) limit for qualifying families was $75,000. For freshmen enrolling in fall 2009, Saint Mary’s will expand the program to include families with up to $100,000 AGI.

Over a four-year period, the estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Program for Access will exceed $50,000 per student. For 2009-10, Saint Mary’s has allocated more than $4,300,000 to fund this program as well as other freshman scholarships and grants.

“We’re excited to offer this guarantee,” said Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission. “The current economic climate is challenging to many families. Some students whose parents are in the low- to middle-income range do not consider attending private schools -- even Saint Mary’s, where costs are lower than most Minnesota private colleges. They believe it is not affordable, despite the available grants and financial aid.”

Brother William Mann, president, said, “As a Lasallian institution, Saint Mary’s tradition is to make quality education accessible and affordable, with special sensitivity to economically challenged families. We’re proud of the quality education SMU offers,” he said, “including the highly individualized attention students receive to better achieve their educational goals. With the expanded Brother James Miller Program for Access, even more students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Mary’s.”

The aid program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary’s graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982.

To qualify for the Brother James Miller Program for Access, students must be entering freshmen in fall 2009, have parental adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, be dependent of parent(s), have a “B” average, and meet other requirements.

Check www.smumn.edu/access for details, or call SMU Admission at (800) 635-5987.

Diocesan scholarship recipients were recognized during a special luncheon Wednesday, March 26, at the Winona campus of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Students were joined for lunch by the Most Reverend Bernard Harrington, Bishop of the Winona Diocese (center). Scholarship recipients are, from left: Matthew Marek, Winona; Zachary Barry, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Josiah Ryks, Austin, Minn.; and Paula Angst, Winona. Barry received the Archbishop Binz Scholarship; Ryks and Angst received the Msgr. Julius C. Haun Scholarship; and Marek received the Bishop Patrick R. Heffron Scholarship.

SMU hosts High School Challenge competitions for 32 area teams

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota High School Challenge returns for another season of fun competition at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, in Saint Mary’s World Room, located in the Hendrickson Center. The 2007-08 season marks the 37th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments.

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. Each scholarship is renewable for three consecutive years if requirements are met.

The following schools will compete in Round 1A Oct. 13: Blair-Taylor High School, Onalaska High School, La Crosse Central High School, North Crawford High School, Osseo Fairchild High School and Eau Claire North High School.

The following schools will partake in Round 1B Oct. 13: Bangor High School, Black River Falls High School, De Soto High School, Decorah High School, La Crescent High School, La Crosse Logan High School, Lewiston-Altura High School, Alma Center Lincoln High School, Seneca High School, West Salem High School and Winona Senior High School.

The following schools will participate in Round 1C Nov. 3: La Crosse Aquinas High School, Cotter High School, Caledonia High School, Holmen High School, Sparta High School, Melrose-Mindoro High School, Riceville Community High School, Eau Claire Region High School, Hope Lutheran High School, Eau Claire Memorial High School, Weston High School and Viroqua High School.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 1 for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return in February for the Super Challenge Championships. The Consolation Championship and the Super Challenge Championships are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire, beginning in March.

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

Remick Fellowship partners with NativityMiguel

WINONA, Minn. — For close to 10 years, the Remick Fellowship Program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has provided financial support for potential Catholic school teachers. This year the Remick Fellowship has partnered with the NativityMiguel Network of Schools. The goal is to continue the tradition of bringing highly qualified, committed teachers into the Catholic schools, and — in particular — into the NativityMiguel Network of Schools.
Read more.

Fellowship recipients will be encouraged to spend the first two years of their teaching career working with the NativityMiguel Network of Schools, which includes 62 faith-based middle schools, serving more than 4,000 students in 27 states. Further information is available at www.nativitymiguelschools.org.

Remick Fellows participate in a one-year program at SMU, which provides the opportunity for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a variety of fields to acquire teacher licensure in elementary education (K-6) with an Early Adolescence Specialty (5-8), or Early Adolescence/Young Adult (grades 5-12). Disciplines include mathematics, social studies, modern foreign languages, communication and language arts, life science, physical science and music. Fellows earn a Master of Arts in Instruction degree.

Those who have studied theology and who wish to teach religion in the Catholic schools will receive the M.A. in Instruction degree, but not state licensure.

Through the Remick Fellowship, students who meet the qualifications and are admitted into the M.A. in Instruction program will receive full remission of all graduate tuition and fees during the term of their appointment; full remission of room and board fees in appropriate housing on the Winona campus; and a modest monthly stipend.

The Remick Fellowship Program responds to a need in American Catholic education for teachers at all levels who are not only skilled but also appreciative of the distinct qualities and challenges of Catholic education, including a particular concern for social justice and service to those in need.

The program is endowed by Mary Ann and Jack Remick of Rochester. Throughout their lives, as students in Catholic educational systems at all levels, and as parents of five children who have benefited from Catholic education, the Remicks have been moved to support the future of Catholic education.

For more information, contact the School of Education at Saint Mary’s University at 507-457-6622 or go to www.smumn.edu/remick.

New Saint Mary's University program brings private college cost within reach

WINONA, Minn. - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has created the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, designed to assist good students in the low- to middle-income range who might not otherwise be able to afford a private college.

Read more.
Saint Mary's guarantees that comprehensive charges for all qualified freshmen enrolling at the Winona campus in fall 2007 will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. (Comprehensive charges include tuition, room, meals and fees). Lower-income families may also qualify for federal and state aid that further reduces their cost.
The 2007-08 overall cost to attend Saint Mary's is $28,528. The University of Minnesota, where costs for next year have not yet been set, was used for a comparable financial guideline as the in-state flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools. The estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access will exceed $45,000 per student over a four-year period. Saint Mary's has allocated an additional $684,000 to fund freshman scholarships and grants in 2007-08.
“We're excited to offer this new guarantee,” said Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission. “Often students whose parents are in the low- to middle-income range do not consider attending private schools - even Saint Mary's - because they believe it is not affordable, despite the available grants and financial aid.”
Brother Craig J. Franz, Saint Mary's president, added, “We're proud of the quality education SMU offers - including the highly individualized attention students receive to better achieve their educational goals. With the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, more students will be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Saint Mary's.”
As a Lasallian institution, Saint Mary's tradition is to make quality education accessible and affordable, with special sensitivity to economically challenged families.
The new scholarship program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary's graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. It was in the latter country - while doing God's work of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized people - that he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982.
To qualify for the Brother James Miller Scholarship for Access, students must be entering freshmen in fall 2007, have parental adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, be dependent of parent(s), be “B” students, and meet requirements specified online at www.smumn.edu/access.
Check the website for more information or call the Office of Admission at (800) 635-5987.