Thursday, September 20, 2012

A vibrant campus filled with activity . . .

Students set fast pace for volunteering



Part of our mission is to prepare students for lives of leadership and service. Undergraduate students in Winona are wasting no time engaging with local communities and beyond with a variety of Campus Ministry service activities. The Volunteer Mentors mobilized 90 freshmen to volunteer in Winona after their first week on campus, another group performed a river cleanup, students volunteered at the Great Dakota Gathering and will help at St. Anne Hospice the next two weekends, and big plans are in the works for Winona’s “Make a Difference Day“ on Oct. 27. And, during October break, Campus Ministry SOUL trips to four cities will focus on sustainable food growth, inner city violence, poverty and eco-justice.


Students find their niche at Activities Fair



A real strength at Saint Mary's is the opportunity and ability for all students to participate. On a beautiful day in late August, hundreds of students gathered on the Plaza to browse the myriad student-run clubs, organizations, volunteer groups and club sports. There is something for everyone, and often enough, if an activity doesn't exist on campus, students will create it.


New residence hall is named for Brother Leopold



Our latest effort to meet the needs and expectations of today’s residential students opened this fall in Winona. Shown above, sophomores, juniors and seniors living in the new residence hall posed for a group photo during Welcome Week. Each student sported a t-shirt proclaiming “Proud First Resident of Brother Leopold Hall.” The 141-bed residence hall offers a variety of attractive living options including apartment-style suites.

The new hall honors the university's first Christian Brother president, Brother Leopold Julian Dodd, FSC, who was instrumental in negotiating with the Diocese of Winona to purchase the college — and in gaining accreditation for it. He served as president from 1933 to 1942.

Another student residence, De La Salle Hall, underwent significant renovation this year and reopened this fall with refreshed living quarters.


Young Alumni Weekend gives a chance to reconnect



Nearly 150 recent graduates returned to the Winona campus for Young Alumni Weekend, Sept. 7–9. Alums reconnected at a welcome gathering with Brother William and faculty/staff, and enjoyed entertainment from current students as well as fellow alumni on the Plaza. They also challenged themselves on the ropes course and disc golf course, participated in the Cardinal Dash, attended Cardinal athletic events, and capped the weekend with a reception.

Young Alumni Weekend photos


All the world is a stage for theatre majors



Undergraduate theatre majors have an enriching, horizon-expanding academic and cultural experience when they travel to England each fall for the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin London Theatre Program (part of the Semester in London program, which is open to all majors). The intensive semester of study, attending performances and travel is guided by Dr. Gary Diomandes, who also directs the students in an overseas production. This year 17 of our juniors are studying in London, and in late October the 14 theatre majors will stage "Almost, Maine" in the Tara Arts Studio Theatre of Earlsfield.

London Theatre Program photos and updates

No comments: