Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Dear Alumni and Parents,
The fall season is upon us. The days are growing shorter, the nights are cooling, and birds are gathering to head south. Most important, fall signals the start of the academic year, and we welcome with enthusiasm both new and returning students. The year is only a few weeks old, and already our students are busy with service activities, academic excellence, and fun. I want to give you a sense of what's happening on campus, and of what our students are doing.
New and updated majors this fall offer more opportunities to students
We have reconfigured a major in Graphic and Intermedia Design and added new majors in Finance, Actuarial Science, and Business Intelligence and Analytics. In collaboration with the prestigious Mayo Clinic, we have added biology programs in Pre-Echocardiography and Pre-Radiography. And we have forged an agreement with the University of Minnesota to offer dual-degree transfer programs in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering and Physics/Engineering.
Science students benefit from diverse summer research and internships
Summer internship and research opportunities continue to expand for our students, offering invaluable real-world learning experiences. In the sciences, new this year is the Saint Mary’s University Fellow at Gundersen program at the Gundersen Medical Foundation’s Kabara Cancer Research Institute (Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wis.). Biology major Bethany Schmidt was the first to participate in this prestigious funded fellowship at the noted research facility. A total of 23 science students benefitted from diverse research, field work and internship experiences at agencies and organizations around the Midwest and even in Panama, Ecuador and Australia.
New Student Success Center area welcomes students for all 4 years
In our continuing efforts to improve student retention and to help students achieve success during college and after graduation, the undergraduate student support services were consolidated last year into the Student Success Center, under the direction of Dr. Esther Peralez, dean of student success. This past summer, a remodeling project brought the offices and functions of the SCC together into one convenient, multifunctional area in lower Griffin Hall.
The Student Success Center is designed to support students at any level of their ability. This “one-stop academic shop” offers advising, disability support services, career services and internships, tutoring, and writing services. Professional staff members are available to mentor, encourage and guide students in their academic and personal development. Students are encouraged to become familiar with and take advantage of these resources throughout their four years of college. (Student Success Center webpage.)
Students experience culture and theatre in London study abroad program
This fall semester 25 undergraduate students will gain international experiences and perspective as they attend our study abroad program in London, England. This is the largest group of students participating in the program since 2006. Dr. Gary Diomandes, professor of theatre and dance, serves as the director of the London program. As part of the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre Program, students will present “The Triangle Factory Fire Project” at the Tara Arts Studio Theatre from October 22-26. The London program is available to students from all majors and offers courses in theatre, business, global issues, art and culture, British politics and literature. You can read more about student experiences on the program's blog.
Students start the year off right with community service projects
They painted an outdoor hockey rink, parts of a church and the inside of the Winona Friendship Center with an assist from several of our athletic teams. They also fixed up trails and parks, and worked at the Winona Humane Society. Throughout the year, Campus Ministry and Volunteer Mentors will offer students more shared opportunities to be good citizens and live the mission. Saturday's event attracted attention from area media including the Winona Daily News and WKBT-TV in La Crosse and Fox47-TV in Rochester.
Campus Ministry holds Patriots’ Day and Prayer for Peace
First-year students are welcomed to campus at Move-In Weekend
Following a summer of preparation on the Winona campus, the new class of first-year students was welcomed to the Saint Mary’s community. Each fall, Move-In Weekend serves as the prelude to Welcome Week as undergraduate students — both new and returning — begin the academic year.
On Saturday morning, new students and their families were lent helping hands by our athletic teams, staff and faculty as they unloaded cars and settled into the newness of their residence halls. Over the course of their first weekend with us, new students were kept busy getting to know each other and the university. We welcome our new students, and look forward to engaging with them in productive and exciting ways over the next four years.
Students gain international perspective at Lasallian Leadership Conference
In line with our strategic plan goals of developing leaders and exploring our heritage and identity, two Saint Mary’s students expanded their “Lasallian family” and expanded their global perspective at the Lasallian Student Leadership Conference at La Salle University in Philadelphia. Nicxie Mazon and Sam Kreutzfeldt were among the 37 students and 10 faculty from 13 Christian Brothers colleges from seven countries who gathered for the July 14-26 conference.
The goal of the conference was to build bridges among the culturally diverse participants and provide opportunities to explore their similarities and differences. It emphasized developing leadership skills and building a cooperative international network of students identified as future Lasallian leaders by their home universities.
Catholic social teaching and the UN are explored by students in NYC
Three of our students were among 58 from the U.S. and Canada to participate in last May’s Catholic Social Teaching Seminar sponsored by the Path to Peace Foundation in conjunction with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. Patrick Sweet, Erika Torres and Dan Bayer spent an educational and enjoyable week learning from noted experts and sharing discussion with fellow students. The group also toured the UN, the Holy See Mission, the U.S. Mission, the African Burial Ground and the 9-11 Memorial.
Achievements of current athletes and alums are honored at ‘M’ Club Weekend
The annual Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend is a great way to celebrate the past, present and future of Cardinal athletics. On Sept. 13, the university honored student-athletes and alumni for their accomplishments in competition and in the classroom during the Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony.
Receiving awards were Peter Borash and Alex Raske, Outstanding Male and Female Athletes, and Jake Traxler and Bethany Schmidt, Outstanding Male and Female Scholar Athletes. In addition, three new members were inducted into the SMU Sports Hall of Fame. The Cardinal ‘M’ Club, in association with the Alumni Office, welcomed Greg (Dick ’84) Arens (men’s hockey), Todd Borndale ’85 (baseball) and Ashley (Dingels ’05) Gossen (volleyball/track and field). The weekend also featured a golf outing, alumni games and varsity athletic contests. (Photos, story and video.)
Summer facilities improvements benefit students and staff
Every year, Saint Mary’s invests in improvement projects to make our campus more attractive to prospective students and more conducive to excellent teaching, learning and living.
The many projects completed over the past summer include:
• Enhanced meeting and gathering spaces that support and facilitate the good functioning of the Saint Mary’s educational community;
• Refurbished and enhanced classrooms and laboratories that support and facilitate teaching and learning;
• New and innovative uses of technology;
• Renovated and upgraded residence halls; and
• Improved offices to better serve students and staff.
Centennial All-School Reunion and Red Carpet Gala launch 2nd century
The year-long Centennial celebration came to a dramatic conclusion in June as the entire university community was invited to the Centennial All-School Reunion, by the Red Carpet Gala. The campus was alive with activity all weekend with traditional homecoming events, and there were some once-in-a-century events as well.
More than 50 Christian Brothers gathered on the Winona campus Saturday for the unveiling of a new statue that honors all members of the international Catholic teaching order who have served the university.
The Centennial Red Carpet Gala was truly the party of the century. More than 800 guests were treated to an precedented reception, dinner and dancing in the Gostomski Fieldhouse, highlighted by a special program which spoke to the transforming nature of the university’s past, present and future.
The Christian Brothers were honored, as were the Centennial chairs and Mike '62 and Joette Gostomski of Winona. The Gostomskis received a Heritage Award for their outstanding support, engagement and philanthropy. After dinner and in between thunderstorms guests viewed fireworks in the university plaza, and the night was capped with dancing to the cool sounds of Nicholas David, finalist in NBC's "The Voice."
(Photos from the weekend's activities.)
Stanley Cup and Blackhawks president draw crowds to Winona campus
Thanks to our alum, John McDonough ’75, the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup championship trophy came to campus on Sept. 6, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd from the Saint Mary’s and Winona communities. More than 1,000 people came to rally and to get their picture taken with the Cup and McDonough, President and CEO of the NHL champion Chicago Blackhawks.
The rally celebrated the achievement of the professional hockey team and its president, and recognized SMU hockey legends Bob Paradise ’66, Andre Beaulieu ’65, Terry Skrypek ’70 and former coach Don Olson. During a luncheon with business leaders, Mayor Mark Peterson proclaimed Sept. 6, 2013, as “John F. McDonough Day” in Winona. Our thanks go to John McDonough for sharing his championship spirit and inspiring leadership, and for sharing the Stanley Cup, an iconic symbol of excellence that brought positive visibility to his alma mater. (More photos of the day.)
The rally celebrated the achievement of the professional hockey team and its president, and recognized SMU hockey legends Bob Paradise ’66, Andre Beaulieu ’65, Terry Skrypek ’70 and former coach Don Olson. During a luncheon with business leaders, Mayor Mark Peterson proclaimed Sept. 6, 2013, as “John F. McDonough Day” in Winona. Our thanks go to John McDonough for sharing his championship spirit and inspiring leadership, and for sharing the Stanley Cup, an iconic symbol of excellence that brought positive visibility to his alma mater. (More photos of the day.)
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