Season’s Greetings!

Soon the young women and men who call our Winona campus “home” for a few months out of the year, head home. As they do, I want you to know some of the wonderful things our students are capable of achieving, and of the positive impact they make on campus life and on the larger community.

I often have the chance to see them doing amazing things. Here are just a few snapshots of what I’ve seen.

Students studying and working hard . . .

. . . Seniors Nicole Clammer and Sean Ohl presented a biology research poster at the 2010 Life Science Alley Conference and Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. They reported on work done last summer as student research fellows.

. . . The Concert Band and Wind Ensemble hosted Florida composer Dr. Paul Richards for our sixth Kaplan Foundation Commissioning Project. Dr. Richards worked with students for several days and conducted them in a world-premiere performance of his composition, “If You Could Only See the Frog,” based on a Bulgarian children’s song sung by exiled Jews.

. . . Chinese students in our international student body volunteered to act as tutors during a six-week class of a free, non-credit introduction to basic conversational Chinese (Mandarin). The class was taught by Lynn Chao, a Taiwan native who is a student in SMU’s Master of Arts in International Business.

. . . Theatre majors staged the challenging docu-drama “God’s Country” in October at TARA Studio in London, and in late November at Smock Alley Studio Theatre in Ireland.

The emotionally gripping play takes an unflinching look at the history of the white supremacist movement in the USA. (Check out our Theatre blog.)

Students reaching out to help others . . .

. . . Marketing major Ania McNamara, who was adopted by SMU alums from an orphanage in Chotomow, Poland, organized a fundraiser to provide the orphanage with Christmas gifts and new clothes. Now in its second year, Ania’s project raised almost $5,000 and she has shipped 62 personalized gifts and about 30 candy bags for children and nuns at the orphanage. Read the Winona Daily News story about Ania's project.

. . . Students, faculty and staff fulfilled the wishes of more than 1,400 community members through the “Gifts for Winona” Christmas gift program. Along with the larger effort to raise funds, purchase and deliver presents, a First-Year Seminar class made more than 20 tie blankets, which will help make many children’s holidays warmer and happier.

. . . Approximately 285 Saint Mary’s students volunteered their time on October 23, national “Make a Difference Day,” in assisting various Winona organizations and three elementary schools. Saint Mary’s alumni also came together on October 23 and volunteered in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Winona. To see a recap of activities organized by the Alumni Association during Lasallian Day of Service, go to: www.smumn.edu/lasalliandayofservice.

. . . Fall sport athletes engaged in bringing awareness to and raising funds for helping others. The volleyball team hosted a “Dig Pink Night” to support research for breast cancer; the men’s soccer team hosted “Cardinals Kick Cancer” with proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital in honor of Shaymus Guinn — the son of former Cardinals coach Tony Guinn — who is currently battling cancer; and, the women’s soccer team sponsored a “Footin’ 4 Food” drive for the local food pantry.

Students realizing their dreams . . .

. . . The men’s hockey team enjoyed a day at the United Center — home of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks — thanks to SMU alum and Blackhawks President, John McDonough ’75. To see a video of the trip, go to: www.smumn.edu/blackhawksvid.

. . . The Entrepreneurship class encouraged campus athletic teams, clubs and organizations to sell “fun and funky” items through their new store, the Cardinal Corner, with all profits donated back to various university fund raising projects. This fall, the store returned $500 to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, and $500 to other campus organizations. You can become a Facebook fan of the Cardinal Corner (and see the latest updates, sales and freebies) at: www.facebook.com/cardinalcorner.

. . . The Jazz Ensemble celebrated the release of its first CD, “Staycation.” 
The project was a joint effort by SMU performance students, faculty, and students majoring in music technology.
The CD is available at the SMU bookstore. A YouTube video at: www.smumn.edu/staycationvid captures a portion of the recording session. There is more information at: www.smumn.edu/staycation.

. . . Biology Department faculty and students seeded their first prairie restoration pilot project, assisted by Winona State faculty and students. Two plots located along Gilmore Creek on the north side of campus were prepared with the help of our Maintenance Department, and seed from native prairie plants was donated by Prairie Moon Nursery.

Students heading home for Christmas . . .

. . . Last week, as students’ classes ended and they prepared for final exams, we paused to celebrate the annual Christmas Light Service — and enjoyed the traditional Pre-Finals Breakfast. (Santa even made a guest appearance.) 

Students, faculty and staff at Saint Mary’s join me in wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas, and health and peace in the new year. May the Gift of Christmas fill your hearts and lives with peace and joy.

– Brother William