Thursday, June 21, 2012

EXCELLING IN ACADEMICS AND MORE ...

The College honors outstanding seniors

Regina Quandt and Michael Mockler
At our Founder's Day celebration, Outstanding Male and Female Senior awards were presented to students who have demonstrated the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership and service. The Outstanding Male Senior Award went to Michael Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa and the Outstanding Female Senior Award went to Regina Quandt from Minneapolis, Minn. Finalists for the 2012 Outstanding Male Senior included Brian William Dillon, Arden Hills, Minn.; Luis Escobar, Madelia, Minn.; Kevin Halpin, Bartlett, Ill.; and Robert "Robby" McGuire, Rochester, Minn. Finalists for the Outstanding Female Senior were Lauren Baier, Mount Horeb, Wis.; Ellen Koneck, New Brighton, Minn.; Amy Kujak, River Falls, Wis.; and Jill Spitzmueller, New Brighton, Minn.



Mayo Scholars explore integration of science, medicine, business

Shown at Mayo Clinic are Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Donna Aronson, Biology Department faculty mentor Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, Business Department faculty mentor Dr. Shelly McCallum, Associate Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dr. Phil Cochran, team leader Jammie Henson (Augsburg College), and SMU students Adam Lueck, Robert McElherne, Thomas Healy and Luis Escobar. 
SMU is fortunate to be one of a select number of private Minnesota colleges to participate in the Mayo Innovation Scholarship Program. The program offers business and science students the opportunity to explore the interface of science, medicine, and business by working alongside an MBA student to perform an analysis of an invention or new medical product in the early stages of development. Our students presented their analysis and recommendations at the Mayo Clinic in March to an audience of university faculty members, inventors, and other Mayo Clinic professionals.



Science seniors present research at Biology Symposium

Biology major Valerie Ross in a Brother Charles Hall lab.
Senior students from the departments of biology, chemistry and mathematics, along with students from area universities, presented their research findings at our annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology. The R.V. Kowles Lecture was presented by Dr. Dan Keyler, professor of experimental and clinical pharmacology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Keyler later wrote to Saint Mary's to praise the work of faculty and evidence of "student motivation, academic challenge and learning . . . . Student presentations at the Saint Mary’s symposium were well above the quality of many professional student presentations I have heard over the years.”



Psychology Symposium shows high-level work by students


The SMU Psychology Symposium in April was a forum for students to present research data collected in the context of their collaborative labs or experimental psychology courses. In addition, formal research presentations were made by graduating students in fulfillment of their senior thesis requirement.



PR/Business Club visits professionals in St. Paul

Public Relations/Business Club students at 3M.
Students in the Public Relations/Business Club visited professionals in the field at Peterson Milla Hooks Advertising (PMH) in Minneapolis and the 3M Corporation in St. Paul. At PMH, students toured the agency and heard account executives, planners, creative directors and graphic designers discuss their roles on major ad campaigns. The visit to 3M was highlighted by a tour of the Innovation Center along with speakers from the areas of brand management, communications and marketing. Alum Nikki Jung ’07, a channel marketer for 3M’s Occupational Health and Environmental Safety division, hosted the 3M visit.



Kudos to student-athletes for their successes


As part of our efforts to celebrate individual successes and as part of NCAA Division III week, Saint Mary's hosted a luncheon with the President for student-athletes who have been honored as First-Team All-MIAC, Honorable Mention All-MIAC, First-Year Team All-MIAC, All-MIAC Defensive Team, and MIAC Athlete of the Week. Members of the President's Cabinet joined in celebrating the accomplishments of these student-athletes. Over 25 SMU student-athletes have been so recognized since the spring of 2011.

No comments: