Christmas greetings from Brother William

“Because we know that Jesus Christ is going to come to us today and we recognize him for who he is, let us prepare for him a dwelling place worthy of him.”

With these words, our founder, John Baptist de La Salle, reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. My Christmas wish for each of you is that you may find the gift of Christmas in your own hearts and homes during this holiday season.

A blessed Christmas to you and your families, and health and peace in the New Year.

– Brother William

Candles light the way to Christmas ceremonies

Students carried candles out into the cold night after the December 10 Christmas light service in the Saint Thomas More Chapel. Shown are Kelly Holt and Peter Snell. Many students attended a tree-lighting ceremony on the plaza, which included the blessing of a new life-sized nativity scene.

Faculty treat students to Pre-Finals Breakfast

Following the December 10 tree-lighting and chapel service, the Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells Food Service sponsored the traditional Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast for students. The late-night breakfast treat was served by about 25 faculty in the Toner Student Center dining hall, including (above) Tycho de Boer, Jana Schrenkler and Daniel Olsen. This popular event was attended by over 800 students.

During the Pre-Finals Breakfast, everyone was invited to join students in singing Christmas carols, and Santa made an appearance. The breakfast provided students a welcomed break from studying for final exams.

Seniors honored at December reception

The Offices of Student Development and Academic Affairs sponsored a Senior Class Gathering on December 3 in the Toner Student Center lounge. Guests enjoyed beverages and hors d'oeuvres and mingled with faculty, staff and administrators. The event is held to honor all senior students, with special recognition for seniors completing their academic work this December. Brother William, President, is shown congratulating Ye Zhang.

Biology students receive TriBeta research grants

Five Saint Mary’s University biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships including, from left: Brianna Braun, Angela Lager, John Fox, Ashley Loos and Hilary Framke.



Each student submitted a proposal for his or her senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students, their projects and their research advisors are: Hilary Framke, “Physiological responses to crude extract of Noturus gyrinus pectoral spine toxin,” Dr. Randy Krainock, advisor;
 Ashley Loos, “The response of Micropterus salmides to venom produced by Noturus gyrinus,” Dr. Krainock, advisor;
 John Fox, “The effects of tissue isolation from the fins of Noturus gyrinus on Leponis gibbosus and Mus musculus,” Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor;
 Brianna Braun, “Determining the paternity of Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuaria) in the bluffs around Winona,” Dr. Phil Cochran and Dr. Debra Martin, advisors;
 Angela Lager, “Genetic variation between and within local populations of timber rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus,” Dr. Martin and Dr. Cochran, advisors.

Students and alums pitch in for service day

Close to 200 SMU students — joined by five staff members — participated in "Make a Difference Day" on October 24. These volunteers shoveled dirt, moved bricks, hung sheetrock, painted, sorted clothes and assisted with a variety of other work at 35 locations throughout the Winona area. "Make a Difference Day" is a national day for helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Saint Mary’s Volunteer Services group invited Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

 Students teamed up and spent their Saturday lending helping hands to local groups and organizations.

That same day, the Saint Mary’s University Alumni Association and its board of directors sponsored a volunteer service day called “Lasallian Day of Service." Numerous groups of alumni came together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission of service to others while participating in service projects in their hometowns and neighborhoods, including Chicago, the Twin Cities and Winona.

Parents and students enjoy Family Weekend

Parents and family members joined students in a brisk run (or walk) during the Family Weekend Fall Frolic on September 26. Open to the public, the annual 5K scamper through campus and in the bluffs typically attracts close to 500 participants. Family Weekend was a time for families to visit campus, have some fun, reconnect with students, and be treated to a variety of student musical, theatrical and athletic performances.

Class project raises money for Humane Society

Students from the Saint Mary’s University entrepreneurship class sold specially designed T-shirts this fall to raise money for the Winona Area Humane Society. Students pictured include, from left, Jake Lechner, Kathleen Pawlowski, Dave Dahlstrom, Lindsey Quinn and Emily Merchlewitz. Their professor, Jana Schrenkler, fourth from left, presented WAHS volunteers Karen Kryzsko, fourth from right, and Tammy Vondrasek, right, with a $600 gift card for office supplies. Also pictured is Trixie.

The first annual Cardinal Pride T-shirt was designed by students Tom Walsh and Caroline Stringer. This project — a lesson in social entrepreneurship — is part of the business department’s focus on promoting and supporting the university’s new entrepreneurship major. Each semester, students choose a local non-profit organization to support with funds from their class-run business.

Reviewers affirm quality of teacher education

Zuber Ali, a graduate of the Master of Arts in Instruction program, was interviewed by the Board of Teaching site visitation team.

Saint Mary’s teacher education programs recently received external confirmation of our efforts toward excellence in teaching and student engagement in learning. A Minnesota Board of Teaching site visitation team came to the Winona campus November 15 to review our undergraduate and graduate teacher licensure programs. The team indicated that it will recommend to the Board of Teaching that the accreditation of our programs be extended to 2017.

The team noted: "The Lasallian mission of Saint Mary's is transparent and threaded through the education programs here. The students recognized the faculty's commitment to social justice in education and indicated how they model that in their constructivist approach to teaching. Students were able to emulate that philosophy in their student teaching experiences, as they differentiated instruction based on the unique need of each learner."

Women's volleyball advances to NCAA tournament

The women’s volleyball team capped a great season with an invitation to the NCAA Division III Central Region tournament in St. Louis. The Cardinals won their first match against Thomas More College, then dropped a hard-fought match to eventual national champion Washington University. SMU finished the year at 22-10 overall.

Sarah Gardner, shown above, was named to the Central Region All-Tournament Team. She was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association as first-team All-Central Region, and was named honorable-mention AVCA All-American. Gardner and Jessica Mate were also selected as first-team all-conference.

Alumni and parents are invited to suggest a student

As the holidays provide us opportunities to gather with our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, we invite you to keep Saint Mary’s University in mind.

Because high school and community college students often look to friends or family members when it is time to make a college decision, we are looking for your help to connect them to SMU. Please consider your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor, babysitter, friend from church etc. and picture them as a potential student at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

An initiative of the SMU Alumni Association, the Suggest a Student referral campaign allows you to send the Admission Office names of current high school and college transfer students. All we need are names and contact information from you, and our staff will do the rest. Our goal is to contact friends and family members of our alumni and parents to continue the SMU legacy.

You are invited to complete the brief online information form at: www.smumn.edu/suggestastudent.