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.

Season’s Greetings!

The young women and men who call our Winona campus “home” for a few months out of the year are now heading back to your homes. 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 from the fall semester.

Groundbreaking for our new residence hall

Students joined in the October groundbreaking for our new residence hall. Board of Trustee officers — together with representatives from Saint Mary’s and Winona — turned the ceremonial first shovels of dirt to begin construction on the 141-bed hall. The hall should be complete for use in the 2012-13 year. As the university approaches its Centennial in 2012, the groundbreaking was an important moment that will help propel the university into its second century. To see more from the day's event, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Families welcomed for a weekend visit

Family Weekend in late September brought many family members and friends to campus to see how their students were faring. Families could also choose from a variety of activities, arts and sporting events that showed our rich campus life. To see photos from the weekend, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

“Playboy of the Western World” takes the stage

Theatre and dance students performed John Millington Synge’s classic Irish comedy/tragedy, “The Playboy of the Western World” in October. They enjoyed working with renowned guest director Patrick Sutton, who has served as director of The Gaiety School of Acting — The National Theatre School of Ireland in Dublin for the past 18 years. The Gaiety School boasts such well-known graduates as Olivia Wilde, Colin Farrell and Stuart Townsend.

Students and alumni help their neighbors

Almost 160 students spread out into the community for the local “Make a Difference Day’ organized by the Office of Campus Ministry. “Make a Difference Day” is a national event that celebrates neighbors helping neighbors. Students pitched in at a Habitat for Humanity site, painted and cleaned at area churches, lent a hand at the hospital, and volunteered with many other local organizations. That same day, Saint Mary’s alums in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Winona and all over the country organized volunteer sites in their local communities for our annual “Lasallian Day of Service.”

Campus hosts local children for Halloween

Hundreds of Winona children were treated to our Halloween Fun Night, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life. Young ghosts and goblins enjoyed games and a greeting from the Cardinal mascot, and students led trick-or-treaters door-to-door through the residence halls. To see pictures from the event, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Veterans Day marked on campus

The campus recognized Veterans Day with a November 11 ceremony at our Veterans Memorial. Dr. Bill Crozier, university archivist, presented a historical tribute for the occasion, and members of the choir and a trumpeter performed. A prayer remembrance was held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Etiquette dinner tones up social skills

The annual etiquette dinner — hosted by the Office of Career Services and Internships — helped students prepare for success during social situations they might encounter after college. Dr. Mary Catherine Fox, professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, offered essential etiquette tips for luncheon interviews and dining, touching on table manners, silverware savvy, napkin etiquette and social graces.

Choirs present beautiful “Lessons and Carols”

The joyous and uplifting Christmas service of “Lessons and Carols” was presented to the Winona community in the majestic Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels on the Saint Teresa campus. The service featured our Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea, and members of the Chamber Orchestra. “Lessons and Carols” reflects on the Christmas story through short readings, hymns and Christmas carols sung by the choirs and audience.

Concert Band plays “Sounds of the Season”

The music of the Christmas season was celebrated by the Concert Band in the Page Theatre, conducted by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven and featuring four student guest conductors: Tyler Ringiesen, Ashley Buhr, Jessica Giers and Jessica Bouska. The audience was treated to a festive reception, with entertainment provided by a variety of smaller ensembles.

Business class presents research to restaurant

Part of the Consumer Behavior class traveled down the hill to present their “Paco Project” research to the owners of Mango’s Mexican American Grill. Based on the book by Paco Underhill titled “Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping,” students worked with the managers of local businesses to observe and record information on the shopping behavior of customers. The data was analyzed and presented to Mugby Junction, Habitat ReStore, Grace Place, Fitzgerald Library and Mango’s.

Seniors gather to celebrate

All seniors were invited to a December reception with the President, sponsored by the Offices of Student Life and Academic Affairs. Seniors were congratulated for their successes and four years of contributions to the campus community, with special recognition given to mid-year graduates of the college.

Students treated to light service and breakfast

Our traditional Christmas Light Service — a retelling of the Christmas narrative through readings, carols and tableaus — was held in Saint Thomas More Chapel. Following the service, the Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells Food Service sponsored the popular Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast for hundreds of students. Faculty and staff served the late-night feast. 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.


— Brother William

The last freshman class of the first 100 years

The freshman class of 2011 posed for a group photo on Move-In Weekend.

As the fall semester opened this year, I welcomed 373 new freshmen to campus at our opening convocation. They were special, I said, because they are the last freshman class of our first 100 years. Of course, that also means that the seniors this year will be the last graduating class before our Centennial, and that makes them special, too.

The students in our entering class represent a 7.5 percent increase from last year, and contribute to a total enrollment of 1,372. This positive trend is a welcome affirmation that Saint Mary's University is relevant and attractive, and that the undergraduate program is in strong shape heading into our second century. Please read on for more good news.

Planning for the celebration of the century

A Centennial is a pivotal moment for a university. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Our Centennial will be celebrated in 2012-13, and all events during that year will share a special focus and theme. Planning is well underway to celebrate 100 years of Saint Mary's and "A Transforming Heritage."

Alums, current students, faculty and staff have given us wonderful ideas about how best to honor our past, celebrate the present and look to the future. Now teams are busy putting these ideas into action.

The dates of major events are being set:

• June 23, 2012 – Cornerstone Commemoration at Homecoming
• Sept. 22, 2012 – Chicago Event at Millennium Park
• Oct. 5-7, 2012 – Debut of Arts Commissions at Family Weekend
• TBA Nov., 2012 – SGPP Alumni Reunion (Twin Cities campus)
• TBA April, 2013 – Student Celebration (Twin Cities campus)
• TBA April, 2013 – Student Celebration (Winona campus)
• June 21-23, 2013 – Centennial Celebration Event & All-Alumni Reunion

A special Centennial website offers news of events, historical information, and a way to purchase keepsakes and our Centennial book. There is also a wonderful opportunity to share your Saint Mary's stories and photos. Anyone with an affinity to our institution is invited to submit stories on the website at www.saintmarys100.com and keep checking back for updates.