We welcome the arrival of spring!

Except perhaps for the winter sports enthusiasts, we are enjoying the unseasonably mild weather. Spring is making an early appearance, and with that comes an early burst of campus outdoor activity. As we welcomed students back from their week-long break, the increasing daylight and warmer temperatures all brought a freshness and new energy to campus.

Looking back on the winter months, I am gratified that our students continue to excel in academics, the arts and athletics, and that they reach out to each other and the broader community. Let me tell you about a few of the interesting things I've seen our students do.

Students excelling in academics . . .

Three students from Saint Mary’s, along with their faculty advisors, participated in the Minnesota Private College Scholars at the Capitol event in February to present the results of their independent research and creative scholarship. Our students included Grace Christensen, Paige Jensen and Alex Braun.

Alex explaining her research project to State Senator Jeremy Miller. 

Six students are experiencing transformative educational opportunities this spring as interns in our nation's capital through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The students and their internship sites are: Gia Puch, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Nicole Haley, Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto law firm; Nora Gilson, Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto law firm; Carissa Hahn, Association of American Medical Colleges; Robert Speedling, U.S. Department of Interior; and Alexi Lund, Department of the Treasury in the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity.

Recognizing the quality of their science research targets and proposals, six students were awarded national biology honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research grants. The students are Alex Braun, Erika Hurley, Danielle Strebel, Lauren Ulbrich, Samantha Dahlstrom and Cassandra Hulett.

Samantha at the 7th Annual Meeting on Undergraduate Research in the Molecular Sciences, held at MSU-Moorhead, where she won the first-place "Student Choice" award. 

Students reaching out . . .

About 40 people were "freezin’ for a reason" during the third annual “Cardinal Plunge” in late February. The air was unseasonably warm, but the ice and Lake Goodview were suitably challenging. The event was hosted by the Future Alumni Committee and raised $560 for the Student Emergency Fund. To see photos from the event, go to our online photo albums.

Several campus events were dedicated to helping Marine Corps veteran Josh Misiewicz, a former student who was severely injured last summer while serving in Afghanistan. Proceeds from the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, Armed Forces Night at a hockey game, and the student-run store Cardinal Corner will help Josh and his family cope with ongoing medical and other expenses.

Students celebrating other cultures . . .

Students helped christen the former New Village as Residencia Santiago Miller, in honor of martyred alum Brother James Miller '66. Brother James was killed in Guatemala in 1982, and a building there was also named in his honor. The name “Residencia Santiago Miller” was chosen to remind students of the model of leadership and service which Brother James offered. Shown unveiling the residence hall marker are students Bob Rousseau, Heidi Loeffler and Jessica Bouska.

Our international students shared their cultures with others in our community during an open house at the International Center. A wide variety of ethnic food, games, dance, cultural displays and presentations were included in the festivities. Participants learned about SMU’s international students from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and China.

The annual Multicultural Showcase treated the community to music and dance from many cultures, featuring Hmong and Chinese songs, Mexican dance, Irish dance, the Jazz Workshop Combo, the World Drum Ensemble and more.

Students gathering for worship . . .

After a two-month refurbishment, the Saint Thomas More Chapel was reopened with a rite of dedication and liturgy on March 13. The chapel's artistic and reverent design has created a prayerful space for our students and community and features commissioned works of art and natural materials, including locally-sourced stone for the altar.

Winona Bishop John Quinn celebrates the liturgy in the
newly refurbished Saint Thomas More Chapel

Students performing in the arts . . .

The Department of Theatre and Dance presented the classic Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” in February. The Tony-Award-winning musical was first presented in 1950 and has enjoyed many revivals. It's considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Our students had a wonderful time entertaining enthusiastic audiences in the Page Theatre.

Two of our musical groups embarked on major tours during spring break. The Chamber Singers performed a capella selections at church liturgies and concerts in Wisconsin, Illinois and the Canadian province of Ontario as part of their 2012 Concert Tour. The Jazz Combo took their brand of American jazz overseas, to perform at venues in and around the city of Cologne, Germany, including a joint performance with Stefan Güsgen – the 2010 winner of Germany’s National Magic Championships.

Students showing their pride

Recently, the Midwest District of the Christian Brothers produced a video titled, "Many Stars." It shows the Lasallian star formed by staff and students at a variety of Lasallian ministries worldwide and in the Midwest Province. With the help of the local fire department, all of our student-athletes gathered on the soccer field to form a star representing Saint Mary's. The video certainly depicts the breadth of our Lasallian network.

Watch the video
See us shine (we're at about the 7:30 mark).

An invitation to support financial aid for students

Finally, I would like to pass on the following invitation for advocacy for students and families in Minnesota. If you believe that state and federal financial aid should continue to help keep Minnesota colleges affordable for low- and middle-income families, Advocates for Minnesota Student Aid (AMSA) is worth a look. It's a grassroots organization made up of Minnesotans who want to protect those programs and the college students they support at private AND public institutions. AMSA is organized by the Minnesota Private College Council, which represents 17 nonprofit colleges and universities. In the next two weeks or so, you will receive an invitation to become part of this effort to protect state and federal financial aid. We hope that you will join with parents across Minnesota to support this important endeavor.