Saint Mary's commencement ceremony scheduled for May 11

WINONA, Minn. — On Saturday, May 11, the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University will host a joint commencement ceremony for both Winona undergraduate and graduate students, beginning at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium.

Undergraduate student reflections will be offered by this year’s 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.

Representing SMU’s Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs, Jeremy Storelee, an M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning graduate, will also give a reflection. Cheyanne Kofmehl, M.A. in Philanthropy and Development, and Brother Diego Rico-Archilla, FSC, M.A. in Educational Leadership, will be presented with Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Awards.

A reception on the plaza will follow the ceremony. In case of inclement weather, the reception will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremony, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8 a.m.

Limited parking will be available. A shuttle service will be provided from a nearby parking lot. More information will be posted at www.smumn.edu/commencement.

The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus hosted its commencement ceremony on April 27. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 2.

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

After picking up her family’s presents through the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, a grandmother stopped to ask where she could direct a thank-you letter. Her beaming granddaughter had received the shoes she’d been wishing for — ones her grandmother said had been too expensive for their family’s budget.

One mother wrote that the Gifts for Winona program allows her to teach her children that Santa really does exist; she tells her children that God elicits Santa’s help in delivering gifts each Christmas.

And another mother explained that although there hadn’t been enough money for a tree this year, her children would still be able to enjoy their Christmas, thanks to the kindness of others.

They’re thank-yous that truly deserve to be passed along to the entire Winona-area community. It’s because of the generosity that flows through this town that Saint Mary’s University’s Gifts for Winona program – now in its 11th year — is able to fulfill the wish lists of hundreds of children and seniors.

This year the program helped each of the 1,465 individuals and families who registered, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Because of you, everyone received specially wrapped packages, but also the knowledge that someone truly cares.

Though the many people purchasing these gifts may never see the excited faces of the children or seniors receiving them, we are always inspired that the donations continue to flow abundantly, anonymously and caringly. We humbly thank you.

As we count our blessings for the past and upcoming years, we should also remember those less fortunate whose material blessings are a little harder to come by this year. We hope and pray that 2013 will have many wonderful things in store for these families.

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

• the program’s additional partners, Winona Radio, Winona Post, and Winona Volunteer Services;

• the many SMU shoppers, wrappers, data-entry volunteers, sorters and organizers, including many students, 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 a tree or donated money;

• Fleet Farm, Steve and Regina Craney, Walmart, Wells Fargo Bank, Merchants National Bank and Cars & Credit for their generous donations;

• the Winona Public Library, Walmart, the three Severson-Sinclair stations, the 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 Frances Passe at the Resource Center in St. Charles for helping to distribute gifts;

• and the area media for helping spread the word about this program.

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

Giving trees go up this week for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees will be going up before Thanksgiving. This communitywide program — in its 11th year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, will be placed on area giving trees this week. Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

Trees will be located at: the three Severson-Sinclair locations, Walmart, the Winona Public Library, the Winona Post, as well as Security State Bank of Lewiston. Additionally, grocery cards can be purchased for families.

Individuals who want to help make someone’s season a little merrier should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, and return the gifts by Dec. 12 to the tree where they obtained the tags. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $35 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents or the bag of presents.

As the gift distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well. The success of this program depends on the generosity of the Winona-area community.

For more information, call the Gifts for Winona line at (507) 457-8719. Other community partners that join SMU to help make this program possible are the Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services.

Gifts for Winona application deadline is Friday, Nov. 16

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona — in its 11th year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Families looking for help obtaining gifts this year must apply by Friday, Nov. 16. Families may pick up an application form through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Winona County Community Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services or Women’s Resource Center).

Families must apply for the program through a referral agency.

Once again this year, Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

This program exists through the generosity of the Winona community, as well as the work of other community partners including: Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Radio and the Winona Post.

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona announces application dates

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program is once again setting age requirements for applicants this year.

With more families asking for help and a smaller number of people who are in a position to donate, the program is once again being adapted. The program’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older. Families will only be able to report gift requests for family members in these age ranges.

The annual gift-giving program — in its 11th year — helps more than 1,600 people have a much happier holiday season. The program has grown significantly each year.

Families may pick up an application form through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Winona County Community Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services or Women’s Resource Center).

Completed application forms must be returned to Winona Volunteer Services (402 E. 2nd St.) from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, and 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. SMU volunteers will be available for assistance on these dates.

This program exists through the generosity of the Winona community, as well as the work of other community partners including: Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Radio and the Winona Post.

Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 12

WINONA, Minn. — On Saturday, May 12, the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

The Winona campus undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors Michael Mockler, son of John and Caroline Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa, and Regina Quandt, daughter of Dan and Cathy Quandt of Minneapolis, Minn.

The Winona campus Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Cynthia Mueller, M.A. in Literacy Education, of Buffalo, Minn.; and Dr. Paul Rosenblum, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries of Charleston, S.C. Additionally, Dr. Rosenblum will be presented with an Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus will host its commencement ceremony on April 28. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 3.

Saint Mary’s invites nonprofits to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Spruce Up Winona Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your spring cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Saint Mary’s University student volunteers will be available to volunteer from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 21, to help local individuals, groups, churches and organizations in recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day.”

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.). Requests must be made by Saturday, April 14, to Chris McClead at (507) 457-7268 or cmcclead@smumn.edu.

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

This year two precious little children slept in a car while we painstakingly tucked brand new bicycles in the back of their vehicle — careful not to ruin their Christmas surprises.

One senior exclaimed with joy that he was headed for the grocery store to buy some food with his new grocery card. Yet another quietly and emotionally walked out the door, tears in her eyes, after receiving a bag of gifts for her family.

Thousands of packages were wrapped with love this year for the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona community gift-giving program. Carload after carload overflowed with brightly colored paper and bags. Once again, we were overwhelmed by the anonymous generosity of this community, and we humbly thank you for graciously sharing your blessings.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, in its 10th year, was once again able to provide gifts for our less fortunate neighbors because of you.

More than 1,600 individuals and families were helped this year, which is considerably higher than last year.

Though you never heard the abundant thank-yous and saw the genuine smiles, I hope you know how much the new toys, clothing and grocery gift cards you purchased mean to these families.

Because of you, these families have been given presents for their trees and hope in their hearts. For the 10th year in a row, our community has made sure that everyone who registered received something special for the holidays.

As we count our blessings for the past and upcoming years, we should also remember those less fortunate whose material blessings are a little harder to come by this year. We hope and pray that 2012 will have many wonderful things in store for these families.

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

• the program’s additional partners, Winona Radio, Winona Post, Wells Fargo and Winona Volunteer Services;
• the many shoppers, wrappers, data-entry volunteers, sorters and organizers, including many Saint Mary’s students, 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 a tree or donated money;
• the Slaggie Family Foundation, Fleet Farm, Cornerstone Community Church, and Steve and Regina Craney for generous donations; and our friends at Cars & Credit who always make sure there are no tags left;
• the Winona Public Library, Walmart, the three Severson-Sinclair stations, the 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 Frances Passe at the Resource Center in St. Charles for helping to distribute gifts;
• and the area media for helping spread the word about this program.

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

Giving trees go up this week for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees will be going up before Thanksgiving. This communitywide program — in its tenth year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, will be placed on area giving trees this week. Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

Trees will be located at: the three Severson-Sinclair locations, Walmart, the Winona Public Library, the Winona Post, as well as Security State Bank of Lewiston. Additionally, grocery cards can be purchased for families.

Individuals who want to help make someone’s season a little merrier should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, and return the gifts by Dec. 14 to the tree where they obtained the tags. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $30 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents.

As the gift distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well. The success of this program depends on the generosity of the Winona-area community.

For more information, call the Gifts for Winona line at (507) 457-8719. Other community partners that join SMU to help make this program possible are the Winona Post, Winona Radio, Wells Fargo and Winona Volunteer Services.

100 SMU students to volunteer in Winona community Saturday

WINONA, Minn. — About 100 students from Saint Mary’s University — 78 of whom are new to the community — will serve eight organizations in Winona on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m.

New Student Volunteer Day is dedicated to providing new students with the opportunity to serve the people of Winona, and to be inspired by the Lasallian spirit early in their college careers.

Students will be volunteering at Grace Place, Habitat Restore, Lake Winona Manor, Winona Area Humane Society, YMCA, Winona Park and Recreation, Outdoor Leadership at SMU, and Salvation Army Thrift Store. In collaboration with Park and Rec, students will be taking video, naming trails and doing trail maintenance. They will also be cleaning, painting, hauling, playing BINGO and tending to animals, among other activities.

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

You’ll never see the little girl tightly clutching what she knows — even through the wrapping paper — is her new Barbie.

And you’ll never feel the quick, heartfelt hug from the woman who is so thankful for a package from a stranger.

Yet, without even knowing those you are helping, you graciously shared your blessings this holiday season. We are overwhelmed and gratefully humbled by your anonymous generosity.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, in its ninth year, was once again able to provide gifts for our less fortunate neighbors because of you.

More than 1,400 packages were caringly wrapped this year.

Though you never heard the thank-yous, I hope you know how much your new boots, grocery cards, and toys mean to these families.

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

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 2011 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;
• Walmart for its generous donation; and our friends at Cars & Credit who always make sure there are no tags left.
• the Winona Public Library, Walmart, Scrapper’s Haven, the three Severson-Sinclair stations, the 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 Frances 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.

Deb Nahrgang, on behalf of the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program

Giving trees go up Nov. 19 for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees will be going up Friday, Nov. 19. This communitywide program — in its ninth year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, will be placed on area giving trees Friday. Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

Trees will be located at: Scrapper’s Haven, the three Severson-Sinclair locations, Walmart, the Winona Public Library, the Winona Post, as well as Security State Bank of Lewiston. Additionally, grocery cards can be purchased for families at HyVee and Midtown Foods.

Individuals who want to help make someone’s season a littler merrier should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, and return the wrapped gift/s by Dec. 8 to the tree where they obtained the tag/s. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $30 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents.

As the gift distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well. The success of this program depends on the generosity of the Winona-area community.

For more information, call the Gifts for Winona line at (507) 457-8719. Other community partners that join SMU to help make this program possible are the Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services.

Gifts for Winona application deadline is Friday, Nov. 12

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona — in its ninth year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Families looking for help obtaining gifts this year must apply by Friday, Nov. 12.

Families may pick up an application form through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Winona County Department of Human Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Red Cross or Women’s Resource Center). Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

Other community partners that join SMU to help make this program possible are the Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services.

Nearly 300 Saint Mary’s students volunteer for Make a Difference Day

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” approximately 285 Saint Mary’s University students volunteered their time Saturday, Oct. 23, throughout Winona and the surrounding area.

Volunteers assisted the Habitat Restore, Habitat for Humanity, the Winona Area Humane Society, Winona Health, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Grace Place, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Winona ORC, and at Madison, Jefferson and Washington-Kosciusko Elementary Schools.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who participated.

Saint Mary’s Alumni also came together through the spirit of Saint Mary’s Lasallian mission of service to others and volunteered their time Saturday, Oct. 23, as part of the annual “Lasallian Day of Service.” Alumni helped out in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Winona, working with projects such as Feed My Starving Children, Project for Pride in Living and the San Miguel Schools in Chicago.

100 SMU students to volunteer in Winona community Saturday

WINONA, Minn. — About 100 students from Saint Mary’s University — 78 of whom are new to the community — will serve 10 organizations in Winona on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

New Student Volunteer Day is dedicated to providing new students with the opportunity to serve the people of Winona, and to be inspired by the Lasallian spirit early in their college careers.

Students will be volunteering at Grace Place, Habitat Restore, Lake Winona Manor, Living Light Church, Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Area Humane Society, Winona Catholic Worker, Saint Anne of Winona, Sauer Memorial Home and Salvation Army Store. Students will be cleaning, painting, hauling, playing BINGO and tending to animals, among other activities.

Saint Mary’s invites nonprofits to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Spruce up Winona Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Services group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your spring cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Approximately 125 Saint Mary’s University students will be teamed up from 1 to 5 p.m. to help groups and organizations on Thursday, April 22, in recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day.”

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

To register your request, please call Molly Jewison at (507) 457-1643 or e-mail volunteerservices@smumn.edu.

SMU hosts ‘Learn to Lead’ camps for girls June 17-24

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is hosting three Learn to Lead camps June 17-24 for girls entering grades five through 10 in the fall.

Girls entering grades five through six are invited to the camp “Embark” June 17-19; girls entering grades seven through nine are invited to the camp “Lead On” June 20-24; and girls entering grades eight through 10 are invited to the camp “Take 2” June 20-24.

“Embark” will allow girls to explore how to become a leader in and out of the classroom, how to deal with bullies and the leadership skills they already have and those they have yet to develop. “Lead On” will give girls the opportunity to discover the leader inside of them. Participants will solve mysteries and work together on strengthening their leadership skills. “Take 2” is for girls who have already attended a leadership camp; these girls will have the opportunity to volunteer in the Winona community to expand their leadership skills.

Each camp will end with a special lunch and tribute to a woman who has made an impact in every camper’s life. Peg Winters, director of the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute for Women at Saint Mary’s, and women of the institute will teach these camps.

Registration for “Embark” is $240 before Thursday, April 15, and $260 after April 15. Registration for “Lead On” and “Take 2” is $375 before April 15 and $395 after April 15. This fee includes lodging and meals on campus, as well as access to the Recreation and Athletics Center, indoor pool, weight room, dance studio, hiking trails, disc golf course, track and soccer complex, ropes course and more. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/camps. For more information, call (800) 635-5987, Ext. 6921, or (507) 457-6921.

High School Challenge broadcasts begin March 21

WINONA, Minn. — On Saturday, March 6, High School Challenge, a tournament of knowledge sponsored by Saint Mary’s University, ended the 2009-10 season with the Consolation and Super Challenge Championships. Eight games were played and taped by Fox 25/ Fox 48 and will be aired on Sundays at 10 a.m., starting March 21 and running through May 9.

Thirty-two area high school teams began competing in the fall for a spot in the Super Challenge Tournament. The teams must win all their games in order to compete in the Super Challenge. Teams that won their second games advanced to the Consolation Championship games. Tune in March 21 to see whether Cotter High School White or Decorah High School Red becomes the Consolation Champion.

Logan Red, Eau Claire Regis Green, Cotter Blue, Decorah Blue, Lewiston-Altura, West Salem Black, Holmen Maroon, and Riceville competed for the Super Challenge Champion title. Broadcasting for the quarterfinals begins Sunday, March 28, on Fox 25 / Fox 48 with Decorah Blue playing against Logan Red. West Salem Black plays Cotter Blue on April 4. Lewiston plays Holmen Maroon on April 11, and Riceville plays Eau Claire Regis Green on April 18. Winners will advance to the semi-finals, starting April 25.

A very special thanks goes to all the schools that competed, and Winona National Bank for sponsoring the closed captioning.

Public invited to SMU Cardinal Plunge March 6

Proceeds from the first Cardinal Plunge will be split between a fund in honor of SMU student Michael Mockler and Haiti relief.

WINONA, Minn — Brave souls and warm hearts are invited to join Saint Mary’s University in the first “Cardinal Plunge” Saturday, March 6. This freezing fundraiser begins at 1 p.m. at Lake Goodview, located at Michael LaCanne Park.

This year, “Cardinal Plunge” proceeds will be split between Haiti relief efforts and a fund in honor of Michael Mockler, a current sophomore at Saint Mary’s who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The cost for this event is $10, and all participants will receive a “Cardinal Plunge” T-shirt. This event is sponsored by several organizations at Saint Mary’s including Campus Ministry, Residence Life, Chartwells and the Student Activities Committee. Community sponsors include the Winona Dive and Rescue, EMS of Winona and Aaron Repinski with Rip-Roaring Entertainment.

Registration begins at noon on site or participants can pre-register online at www.smumn.edu/cardinalplunge and pay the day of the plunge. Donations can be made to the Michael Mockler Fund, Saint Mary’s University, 700 Terrace Heights #288, Winona, MN 55987.

Refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact Izzy Kobs at (608) 547-3868 or iskobs06@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s donates $1,400 to Volunteer Services Food Shelf

Saint Mary’s University donated $1,400 to Winona Volunteer Services to be used for the Food Shelf. The money was raised through campuswide fundraisers including potlucks and “Jeans for a Cause” Fridays. Presenting the check to Sandra Burke, center right, executive director for Winona Volunteer Services, are SMU Volunteer Committee members, from left: Cindy Marek, Coral Henthorne and Laurie Haase.