Season’s Greetings!

Final exams are over and papers are handed in, and our students have returned home for rest and rejuvenation and to spend the joyous Christmas season with family. In this communication I want to show you some of the wonderful things our students have achieved recently, and give you a sense of the positive impact they make on campus life and on the larger community. Here are just a few snapshots from the fall semester.

New Living Learning Communities engage first-year students outside of class

After a successful pilot program last year, this fall Saint Edward’s Hall became the Living Learning Center with four new Living Learning Communities: Arts Alive, Well Inc., Global Faith, and Wide World and Sports. All of the themed groups strive to build a community with new students who have common goals and a desire to be engaged outside of the classroom. The LLCs help students both fit in and stand out as they begin their college careers.

Living Learning Communities are collaborations between residence life staff and academics that help students connect and grow during their first year at college. The primary focus is to create an environment that supports the educational mission of the university, by providing students with out-of-class opportunities to participate in social, cultural, recreational, academic and community service programs.

Scholarships help students attend prestigious computing conference

Computer science professor Rob Gordon with Katarzyna Plawiak, Saron Yifru, Marta Aleszewicz and Maria Glenski.

Four of our students attended the prestigious Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing from Oct. 2-5 in Minneapolis. The annual conference brings the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. Attending were Marta Aleszewicz, a junior computer science software and mathematics major from Poland; Katarzyna Plawiak, a sophomore computer science and international business major from Poland; Saron Yifru, a sophomore computer science major from Ethiopia; and Maria Glenski, a senior mathematics major from Pequot Lakes, Minn.

The Grace Hopper Celebration, the world’s largest gathering of women in computing, provided our students with excellent educational and networking opportunities. Glenski received a scholarship to attend from the National Science Foundation; Aleszewicz received a scholarship from Amazon; Yifru received a scholarship from Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology; and Plawiak was funded by the SMU Math and Computer Science Department.

Cross country runner honored by MIAC both as athlete and student

Saint Mary’s athletes compete in the NCAA Division III, where there is an emphasis on excellence in competition as well as academics, leadership and service. One of our athletes, Katie Stolz, was honored with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s prestigious new Elite 22 Award for women’s cross country.

The Elite 22 Award recognizes just one student-athlete in each sport by honoring those who have reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peer athletes. Stolz ran a school record time and placed 11th at the recent MIAC Championships, earning all-conference honors. A junior biology major, she is also sporting a 4.0 GPA.

New opportunities for study abroad

Students on a study abroad trip to Italy last summer, led by faculty Preston Lawing and Rob McColl.

Three new faculty-led study abroad programs offer attractive and convenient international experiences. Students can study a specific disciplinary focus and country/region during spring semester within a 3-credit course, and then travel with a faculty member for roughly two weeks shortly after commencement.

The short-term programs connect classroom learning to the experience abroad. They are ideal for students who can’t spend a full semester abroad due to time or cost considerations. And they don’t interfere with athletics or summer jobs and internships. The course “Topics: Chinese Business and Culture” will culminate in a trip to China; “Urban Studies in Buenos Aires Culture” leads up to a trip to the capital city of Argentina; and “Literature on Location” will end in a literary tour to sites in England.

More information is online at www.smumn.edu/studyabroad.

Malotka gains field research experience with snakes, lampreys

Senior environmental biology major Scott Malotka has found plenty of opportunities to work with professors in field research. Last summer, Malotka and Dr. Phil Cochran performed radio-tracking of bullsnakes for the Minnesota DNR at the Weaver Dunes north of Winona. This fall, Malotka earned internship credit with the biology department for processing the collected data. The project will contribute to a greater understanding of the snakes’ activity patterns and use of habitat throughout the year.

Malotka also accompanied Dr. Cochran to Indiana to collect data on chestnut lampreys for Trout Unlimited, and he was hired for the summer by Saint Mary’s Geospatial Services division — yet another way for a student to gain professional experience.

Aleszewicz interns at Fastenal, one of the world’s leading industrial suppliers

Marta Aleszewicz interned for the past year at Fastenal, North America’s largest fastener distributor and one of the world’s leading full-line industrial product suppliers. Aleszewicz said she knew she could gain great experience from the Winona company with more than 2,600 locations around the world and a well-known and respected global reputation.

Aleszewicz is a computer science and mathematics major from Poland. Her work at Fastenal enhanced her problem-solving and programming skills, and she put into practice Java language and design patterns she knew from college classes.

Judge Warner presides over pre-law students’ mock trial

Minnesota Second Judicial District Chief Judge (and 1981 Saint Mary’s University alum) Teresa (Schultz) Warner presided over the annual Saint Mary’s Mock Trial on Nov. 21. In this unique learning opportunity, pre-law students acted as the attorneys in a hotly contested case, which mirrored an actual trial. Students also participated as jurors and witnesses. Hosted by the business and social science departments, the mock trial gave pre-law students the opportunity to participate in a litigated case and get trial experience.

Judge Warner also spoke to Saint Mary’s classes the next day. Appointed by Gov. Arne Carlson in 1998, she serves as the chief judge of the Second Judicial District (Ramsey County).

PR/Business Club members meet with pros

The Public Relations/Business Club attended the Public Relations Society of America “PR with the Pros” event on Nov. 13 at the Cambria Gallery in Minneapolis. The students learned about various communications-related jobs from speakers representing a variety of corporate, educational and agency organizations. One of the panelists was 1986 SMU alum Greg Zimprich (shown in front, center), senior vice president of agency operations and strategic insights at Kohnstamm Communications in St. Paul.

Events help undecided majors find a path

Students had an opportunity Oct. 22 to explore majors at a new fair led by students for students, mostly freshmen and sophomores. The fair was geared toward students who are not happy about their majors, are undecided majors, are trying to choose a minor, or are just first-year students looking for information.

Sixty-five student representatives from all majors participated. They were recommended by their department chairs as individuals who could best answer questions about their majors, their college experiences and their career plans. This event and an additional majors retreat are part of iPath, a program for undecided students hosted by the Student Success Center.

Students provide a Taste of Saudi Arabia

International students add cultural — and culinary — variety to the Winona campus. In October, students at the De La Salle Language Institute and the Center for International Students sponsored the “Taste of Saudi Arabia” for the campus community. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to broaden their global and multicultural perspective.

Approximately 100 community members enjoyed Arabic food, music, dancing and cultural displays presented by students from Saudi Arabia with the assistance of DLI and Center staff. The event was the inspiration of our international student body, wanting to support the rebuilding efforts of the Winona Islamic Center which was destroyed by fire. “Taste of Saudi Arabia” raised $700 for the rebuilding fund.

Big and Little Pals hit the soccer pitch

The Saint Mary’s soccer teams helped organize and run a special day of fun and games on the soccer field for Winona youth. The fall soccer mini-camp was sponsored by SMU’s Big and Little Pals program, which matches college students with at-risk second- through fifth-graders from Jefferson Elementary School. About 50 Saint Mary’s students participate in the Campus Ministry service program in collaboration with Winona Area Public Schools. The Big Pals develop positive relationships with their Little Pals through activities and by nurturing their academic, social and emotional stability.

Legacy families honored at special Family Weekend dinner and reception

Celebrating their Saint Mary’s connections, from left, were Tony Piscitiello ’69, senior advancement director; David Lunzer ’14; Greg Lunzer (seated); Brother John Grover ’65, information technology manager, and Mary Lunzer ’81.

It is common for multiple generations of families to attend Saint Mary’s. We are grateful for their continued support and demonstration of faith in the excellent higher education of the whole person they experience at this university. We welcome each new generation of students into the larger Saint Mary’s family. On Family Weekend, Sept. 27-29, we hosted a special dinner and reception to honor alums with students currently attending Saint Mary’s. Seventeen of those families attended, with several having ties to both the College and the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs.

Students interact with Board of Trustees

Some of the students meeting with trustees included Cynthia Garcia, Octavia Brown, Trish Nguyen, Peter Hegland, Lexi Assimos, Clare Siska, Hannah Friedrich and Theresa LaValla.

College and graduate students met with members of the Board of Trustees Oct. 3 in small group interactions intended to spark conversations about leadership development at Saint Mary’s. The 36 students were asked to speak to the trustees about how Saint Mary’s is preparing them for lives of ethical leadership and service. Trustees then followed up with additional questions about the students' experiences here at Saint Mary’s. The trustees found the interaction very beneficial and were most impressed with our students.

Students heading home for Christmas . . .

As students’ classes ended and they prepared for final exams, we paused to contemplate the traditional Christmas Light Service and to enjoy the popular Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast. Following the Chapel service, the Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells Food Service sponsored the late-night feast for hundreds of students, served by cheerful faculty and staff (shown above). Many Christmas carols were sung, and Santa made a rousing 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.