By Marty Kocon
Cardinal Staff
Thursday marked the start of the third round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, and in a tournament famous for upsets, this year’s appears to be uncharacteristically tame.
All 1st, 2nd and 3rd seeds remain, and the 12th seeded Arizona Wildcats are the only double digit seed remaining, which leaves the casual fan to ask, ‘where is this year’s Cinderella team?’
Read more...
While this year may appear to be quite ordinary, on closer look you can see that the underdog is everywhere but in the win column. Fifteenth seeded California State Northridge gave second seeded Memphis all it could handle until Memphis pulled out a victory at the end. Also, 13th seeded Cleveland State pummeled favorite Wake Forest 83-69. Ninth seeded Sienna challenged the overall first seed Louisville in a hard fought matchup, which Louisville eventually won 79-72.
This year’s tournament has supplied a fair share of surprises but has yet to drop any of the tournament’s favorites. The lack of upsets has destroyed the hopes of the rags-to-riches Cinderella stories of George Mason and Dayton fame. It instead will showcase the finest college basketball teams the nation has to offer, a result that is worth excluding the bracket-ruining underdogs.
Let the Madness continue.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Ten ways to save energy
By Robby McGuire
Cardinal Staff
Although Energy Challenge Month is almost over, everyone should still think about ways they can continue to conserve energy. Here are a few small ways to “go green.”
1. Turn off the lights!
Lighting accounts for five to 10 percent of national energy use. Turn them off when you can use natural sunlight, if you are leaving the room or simply don’t need them on. Brighten the future, keep things dark.
2. Turn off your electronics when they aren’t in use.
Approximately 75 percent of electricity is consumed by a device while the device is not in direct use. Shut off your laptop at night or while you go to class. Don’t have the TV on unless it is being watched. Shut off your stereo if you leave the room, and unplug your fridge if it is empty.
3. Switch off the faucet.
Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth or shave. This simple technique can save up to five gallons of water a day. Ten, if you are Sasquatch.
Read more...
4. Use a re-usable water bottle.
An estimated 1.5 million barrels of oil are used each year to make plastic water bottles. Seventy-seven percent of these bottles end up in landfills. Many of these plastic bottles also leak harmful chemicals into their beverage. Drink up to save energy, just do it through a water bottle purchased in the school book store.
5. Make sure your thermostat is turned off.
With spring coming, the need for heating in your rooms is dwindling. Try opening the blinds and letting the sunlight warm your room a bit. Most Eskimos go their entire lives without touching a thermostat.
6. Take advantage of your laptop’s power modes.
Most recent laptops have battery modes, including a power-saving mode. If you are simply checking your email, or writing a paper, try the power-saving mode. Though your paper may require intense brain power, it does not require intense battery power.
7. Try walking.
Spring has sprung, and the weather is making a turn for the better. Take advantage of the rise in temperature and walk to your destination. Instead of driving to the bowling alley, Ground Round or Hy-Vee, get some exercise, use the opportunity to chat with friends and burn off that extra slice of cake.
8. Do things together.
Rather than having four separate TV’s on watching Scrubs or CSI, organize a group to watch together. Bonus if your crush enjoys the show.
9. Recycle.
It takes up to 95 percent less energy to re-create an aluminum can from recycled aluminum. Rather than tossing away your recyclables, trek to your residence hall’s recycling area. Grab your roommate’s recyclables as well.
10. Do not take more than you need for meals.
Yes, it can be a hassle to walk all the way from your seat back to the lunch or dinner line. Regardless, excess food is excess waste. The more food we take, the sooner Chartwells Dining Service needs to re-order. The more frequently they re-order, the more electricity is wasted in the process of getting new food to campus. While two burgers and four slices of pizza may have seemed like a good idea at the time, it may not all fit in your stomach.
Cardinal Staff
Although Energy Challenge Month is almost over, everyone should still think about ways they can continue to conserve energy. Here are a few small ways to “go green.”
1. Turn off the lights!
Lighting accounts for five to 10 percent of national energy use. Turn them off when you can use natural sunlight, if you are leaving the room or simply don’t need them on. Brighten the future, keep things dark.
2. Turn off your electronics when they aren’t in use.
Approximately 75 percent of electricity is consumed by a device while the device is not in direct use. Shut off your laptop at night or while you go to class. Don’t have the TV on unless it is being watched. Shut off your stereo if you leave the room, and unplug your fridge if it is empty.
3. Switch off the faucet.
Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth or shave. This simple technique can save up to five gallons of water a day. Ten, if you are Sasquatch.
Read more...
4. Use a re-usable water bottle.
An estimated 1.5 million barrels of oil are used each year to make plastic water bottles. Seventy-seven percent of these bottles end up in landfills. Many of these plastic bottles also leak harmful chemicals into their beverage. Drink up to save energy, just do it through a water bottle purchased in the school book store.
5. Make sure your thermostat is turned off.
With spring coming, the need for heating in your rooms is dwindling. Try opening the blinds and letting the sunlight warm your room a bit. Most Eskimos go their entire lives without touching a thermostat.
6. Take advantage of your laptop’s power modes.
Most recent laptops have battery modes, including a power-saving mode. If you are simply checking your email, or writing a paper, try the power-saving mode. Though your paper may require intense brain power, it does not require intense battery power.
7. Try walking.
Spring has sprung, and the weather is making a turn for the better. Take advantage of the rise in temperature and walk to your destination. Instead of driving to the bowling alley, Ground Round or Hy-Vee, get some exercise, use the opportunity to chat with friends and burn off that extra slice of cake.
8. Do things together.
Rather than having four separate TV’s on watching Scrubs or CSI, organize a group to watch together. Bonus if your crush enjoys the show.
9. Recycle.
It takes up to 95 percent less energy to re-create an aluminum can from recycled aluminum. Rather than tossing away your recyclables, trek to your residence hall’s recycling area. Grab your roommate’s recyclables as well.
10. Do not take more than you need for meals.
Yes, it can be a hassle to walk all the way from your seat back to the lunch or dinner line. Regardless, excess food is excess waste. The more food we take, the sooner Chartwells Dining Service needs to re-order. The more frequently they re-order, the more electricity is wasted in the process of getting new food to campus. While two burgers and four slices of pizza may have seemed like a good idea at the time, it may not all fit in your stomach.
Club Corner: Women’s lacrosse
By Ashley Acosta
Cardinal Staff
For the Saint Mary’s University women’s lacrosse team, success is not always measured in wins and losses.
“For those who don’t want to play a sport at the Division III level, lacrosse gives them a chance to compete and have fun,” junior Liz Kempisty said.
Started just two years ago, the lacrosse team is a member of the North Central Women’s Lacrosse League, and this is the first year with scheduled games. The roster is made up of 28 players comprised of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and one senior.
Varying in different athletic backgrounds and skill levels, the lacrosse team finds its roster filled with many SMU hockey and soccer players. “These sports are somewhat similar to lacrosse,“ said sophomore and captain Libby Perkins.
Read more...
Kempisty identifies progression and experience as two major components for this season.
“The main thing that we are hoping for is progression,” Kempisty said. “We have a lot of girls coming into this season who haven’t played and we are looking to develop as individuals as well as a team.”
In order to achieve that progression, the lacrosse team meets for practice three times a week for two hours in the RAC or on the outdoor facility. Practices focus on a variety of different areas such as conditioning, stick handling, shooting and working on offensive and defensive skills.
Those practice skills were put to the test against Hamline March 19 in the first game of the season. Despite strong contributions from many athletes, the end result was a 12-5 loss.
“We are not worried about how many wins or losses we get,” said Perkins. “This year is more of a learning experience. It is a test of the skills we have been learning in practice, which will enable us to grow and strive for an even better season next year.”
The inexperience of the team is not the only area lacrosse players are hoping to improve on this season. The lacrosse team hopes to improve on its little-known status amongst the students. “A lot of people don’t even know we are a club,” Perkins said.
In efforts to change that, the lacrosse team is planning to sell t-shirts in order to spread the word around campus and bring in extra funding.
The team members have taken it upon themselves to do their own fundraising by writing letters to family and friends for donations to help pay for new uniforms, equipment and fees.
Although the lacrosse team recognizes the necessary areas of improvements, they also recognize their strengths. Perkins feels the team’s strong work ethic, enthusiasm and the camaraderie are a few of the team’s positives.
There are two additional games in the works against Minnesota State University and Winona State University, both tentatively set for the latter part of April. The first and only home game is scheduled for April 25 against the University of Wisconsin -
La Crosse.
“We are really hoping for a good turnout from the students,” said Perkins. “It will give them a chance to experience a lacrosse game, and we would really appreciate the support.”
Look forward to next issue’s (April 24) Club Corner featuring the men’s lacrosse team.
Cardinal Staff
For the Saint Mary’s University women’s lacrosse team, success is not always measured in wins and losses.
“For those who don’t want to play a sport at the Division III level, lacrosse gives them a chance to compete and have fun,” junior Liz Kempisty said.
Started just two years ago, the lacrosse team is a member of the North Central Women’s Lacrosse League, and this is the first year with scheduled games. The roster is made up of 28 players comprised of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and one senior.
Varying in different athletic backgrounds and skill levels, the lacrosse team finds its roster filled with many SMU hockey and soccer players. “These sports are somewhat similar to lacrosse,“ said sophomore and captain Libby Perkins.
Read more...
Kempisty identifies progression and experience as two major components for this season.
“The main thing that we are hoping for is progression,” Kempisty said. “We have a lot of girls coming into this season who haven’t played and we are looking to develop as individuals as well as a team.”
In order to achieve that progression, the lacrosse team meets for practice three times a week for two hours in the RAC or on the outdoor facility. Practices focus on a variety of different areas such as conditioning, stick handling, shooting and working on offensive and defensive skills.
Those practice skills were put to the test against Hamline March 19 in the first game of the season. Despite strong contributions from many athletes, the end result was a 12-5 loss.
“We are not worried about how many wins or losses we get,” said Perkins. “This year is more of a learning experience. It is a test of the skills we have been learning in practice, which will enable us to grow and strive for an even better season next year.”
The inexperience of the team is not the only area lacrosse players are hoping to improve on this season. The lacrosse team hopes to improve on its little-known status amongst the students. “A lot of people don’t even know we are a club,” Perkins said.
In efforts to change that, the lacrosse team is planning to sell t-shirts in order to spread the word around campus and bring in extra funding.
The team members have taken it upon themselves to do their own fundraising by writing letters to family and friends for donations to help pay for new uniforms, equipment and fees.
Although the lacrosse team recognizes the necessary areas of improvements, they also recognize their strengths. Perkins feels the team’s strong work ethic, enthusiasm and the camaraderie are a few of the team’s positives.
There are two additional games in the works against Minnesota State University and Winona State University, both tentatively set for the latter part of April. The first and only home game is scheduled for April 25 against the University of Wisconsin -
La Crosse.
“We are really hoping for a good turnout from the students,” said Perkins. “It will give them a chance to experience a lacrosse game, and we would really appreciate the support.”
Look forward to next issue’s (April 24) Club Corner featuring the men’s lacrosse team.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Calendar Changes?
Proposed new schedule would change the academic calendar in 2010
By Travis Fick
News Editor
A proposed calendar change for the 2010-11 academic year would reconfigure the spring semester schedule in order to better fit with high schools and other colleges, said Dr. Thomas Mans, Saint Mary’s University’s vice president for academic affairs.
Read more...
According to Dr. Jeffrey Highland, university provost and vice president of the college, a task force is in charge of gathering information from students, faculty and staff on what they think about the change. It will meet in March to review the findings, which they will then report to the President’s Cabinet. The President will ultimately make the decision after the full reviewing process.
The proposed schedule would lengthen Christmas break by one week while moving February break. The second semester would begin Jan. 18 instead of the current Jan. 11.
For faculty and staff, the extended Christmas break means adding more time between the deadline to submit grades and the beginning of the new semester.
“The faculty expressed the desire to have more time (to) spend with their families as well as time to plan,” said Mans.
“We have a very short Christmas break that eliminates important personal time with families.”
Additionally, the spring recess would be pushed back to Feb. 26 through March 6. Easter recess would be from April 21-25. Mans said the last day of classes will not change and that the number of days on break will remain the same.
The schedule change was proposed by a resolution from the faculty that said, “Changes in the academic calendar would improve the environment for both teaching and learning in the undergraduate college.”
Changing to this type of schedule is not uncommon, said Mans, who encountered a similar change at the last university for which he worked. “The students, faculty and families desired a more normalized schedule that was closer to that of the majority of the schools,” said Mans.
Mans said students and their families
would be able to better plan for trips, as the break schedule would fit better with other schools.
The 2009-10 academic calendar will remain the same structure as this year, said Mans.
Julie Jergenson, student senate president, and Russell Mollo, student senate vice president for academic affairs, are the student representatives on the schedule change task force. Mollo said they were unable to comment on the schedule change due to the on-going process.
A separate proposed change is to eliminate classes on Labor Day.
Mollo said that any questions or comments should be addressed to himself or Jergenson.
By Travis Fick
News Editor
A proposed calendar change for the 2010-11 academic year would reconfigure the spring semester schedule in order to better fit with high schools and other colleges, said Dr. Thomas Mans, Saint Mary’s University’s vice president for academic affairs.
Read more...
According to Dr. Jeffrey Highland, university provost and vice president of the college, a task force is in charge of gathering information from students, faculty and staff on what they think about the change. It will meet in March to review the findings, which they will then report to the President’s Cabinet. The President will ultimately make the decision after the full reviewing process.
The proposed schedule would lengthen Christmas break by one week while moving February break. The second semester would begin Jan. 18 instead of the current Jan. 11.
For faculty and staff, the extended Christmas break means adding more time between the deadline to submit grades and the beginning of the new semester.
“The faculty expressed the desire to have more time (to) spend with their families as well as time to plan,” said Mans.
“We have a very short Christmas break that eliminates important personal time with families.”
Additionally, the spring recess would be pushed back to Feb. 26 through March 6. Easter recess would be from April 21-25. Mans said the last day of classes will not change and that the number of days on break will remain the same.
The schedule change was proposed by a resolution from the faculty that said, “Changes in the academic calendar would improve the environment for both teaching and learning in the undergraduate college.”
Changing to this type of schedule is not uncommon, said Mans, who encountered a similar change at the last university for which he worked. “The students, faculty and families desired a more normalized schedule that was closer to that of the majority of the schools,” said Mans.
Mans said students and their families
would be able to better plan for trips, as the break schedule would fit better with other schools.
The 2009-10 academic calendar will remain the same structure as this year, said Mans.
Julie Jergenson, student senate president, and Russell Mollo, student senate vice president for academic affairs, are the student representatives on the schedule change task force. Mollo said they were unable to comment on the schedule change due to the on-going process.
A separate proposed change is to eliminate classes on Labor Day.
Mollo said that any questions or comments should be addressed to himself or Jergenson.
Four-percent tuition increase approved
By Travis Fick
News Editor
The economic uncertainty has caused the Saint Mary’s University Board of Trustees to approve a four-percent tuition increase instead of the proposed six-percent increase for the 2009-10 academic year, said Cindy Marek, SMU’s vice president for financial affairs.
Read more...
The Cardinal’s article, “Tuition to rise despite financial woes,” originally published in the Nov. 7, 2008, issue, said that a proposed six-percent tuition increase was likely to be implemented during the 2009-10 academic year. Marek said in an email interview, “The tuition increase was reduced by the board because of the concern for families with the volatility and uncertainty in the economy today.”
The expected fiscal impact of the board’s decision means students save $470 per year for tuition and fees. “The board did not want to put a heavier burden on families than they felt necessary to balance the budget,” said Marek. “We (the Saint Mary’s administration) know unemployment is increasing, and retirement funds, savings and home values have been reduced due to the recent economic impact.”
Student reaction has been mostly positive. “It is good that the board’s decision reflects the current economic status,” said Tim Jorgensen, junior. “A change from six-percent to four-percent may be enough to allow students to stay at SMU.”
The proposal that the board receives has input from many different groups on campus, said Marek. The president, cabinet and budget committee were involved in the budgeting process, as well as admission and financial aid consultant Hardwick-Day.
Marek said SMU has not received information from other schools, but the approved increase is in line with the rest of the Minnesota private colleges.
News Editor
The economic uncertainty has caused the Saint Mary’s University Board of Trustees to approve a four-percent tuition increase instead of the proposed six-percent increase for the 2009-10 academic year, said Cindy Marek, SMU’s vice president for financial affairs.
Read more...
The Cardinal’s article, “Tuition to rise despite financial woes,” originally published in the Nov. 7, 2008, issue, said that a proposed six-percent tuition increase was likely to be implemented during the 2009-10 academic year. Marek said in an email interview, “The tuition increase was reduced by the board because of the concern for families with the volatility and uncertainty in the economy today.”
The expected fiscal impact of the board’s decision means students save $470 per year for tuition and fees. “The board did not want to put a heavier burden on families than they felt necessary to balance the budget,” said Marek. “We (the Saint Mary’s administration) know unemployment is increasing, and retirement funds, savings and home values have been reduced due to the recent economic impact.”
Student reaction has been mostly positive. “It is good that the board’s decision reflects the current economic status,” said Tim Jorgensen, junior. “A change from six-percent to four-percent may be enough to allow students to stay at SMU.”
The proposal that the board receives has input from many different groups on campus, said Marek. The president, cabinet and budget committee were involved in the budgeting process, as well as admission and financial aid consultant Hardwick-Day.
Marek said SMU has not received information from other schools, but the approved increase is in line with the rest of the Minnesota private colleges.
Economic woes could affect club budgets
By Pat Howard
Cardinal Staff
The Saint Mary’s University Student Senate is currently budgeting for the 2009-10 academic year and will continue its normal conservative budgeting process despite the economic uncertainty, said Travis Fick, student senate vice president for financial affairs.
Read more...
“We are trying to keep budgets fair while maintaining a level of strict fiscal discipline,” Fick said.
The Student Senate Finance Committee has been meeting almost every week to address club budgets and future plans. The majority of clubs receive money for budgets and special requests through the $170 activities fee that is incorporated into every undergraduate student’s tuition.
According to Fick, the Club Budget Policy organizes funding into four bracket levels. Level one represents clubs that feature a total yearly funding of $1-$500. The level four bracket is geared for clubs that spend $10,000 or more in a year. In the past, clubs were able to move up in the brackets to seek more funding.
Next year, however, the Student Senate Finance Committee will not be allowing clubs to move up in the bracket system and have limited the percent increases that clubs may request for. “The finance committee’s main goal is to ensure a solid financial base,” said Fick. “We have maintained fiscal discipline this year and will not stray when considering budgets.”
SMU will continue to have all the clubs it features this year. However, Fick said it may be more difficult to hold every event and invite every speaker clubs typically offer.
Cardinal Staff
The Saint Mary’s University Student Senate is currently budgeting for the 2009-10 academic year and will continue its normal conservative budgeting process despite the economic uncertainty, said Travis Fick, student senate vice president for financial affairs.
Read more...
“We are trying to keep budgets fair while maintaining a level of strict fiscal discipline,” Fick said.
The Student Senate Finance Committee has been meeting almost every week to address club budgets and future plans. The majority of clubs receive money for budgets and special requests through the $170 activities fee that is incorporated into every undergraduate student’s tuition.
According to Fick, the Club Budget Policy organizes funding into four bracket levels. Level one represents clubs that feature a total yearly funding of $1-$500. The level four bracket is geared for clubs that spend $10,000 or more in a year. In the past, clubs were able to move up in the brackets to seek more funding.
Next year, however, the Student Senate Finance Committee will not be allowing clubs to move up in the bracket system and have limited the percent increases that clubs may request for. “The finance committee’s main goal is to ensure a solid financial base,” said Fick. “We have maintained fiscal discipline this year and will not stray when considering budgets.”
SMU will continue to have all the clubs it features this year. However, Fick said it may be more difficult to hold every event and invite every speaker clubs typically offer.
Students take annual trip to lobby at Capitol
By Ryan Briscoe
Cardinal Staff
Yesterday, a group of Saint Mary’s University students went to Saint Paul to lobby at the Minnesota State Capitol in what has become an annual event.
Read more...
What is the cause they defended? Higher education.
The state of Minnesota is staring an unprecedented budget crisis straight in the face. Governor Pawlenty has, as of the submission of this article, yet to announce the official numbers, but the state is expected to be millions short. Therefore, it has become necessary to lobby legislators to defend the allocation of funds for certain state programs.
In the past, the ‘Day at the Capitol’ has included a briefing session on the situation, attendance at meetings with local legislators, tours of the Capitol and meals.
The focal point of the trip is the one-on-one meetings, according to past attendee, sophomore Ali Kremer. Kremer referred to the day as ‘a great opportunity’ and remarked several times on taking advantage of the chance to participate in government at work.
Originally attracted to the event because of her own personal interests, Kremer quickly realized that the outing provided her with an incomparable first-hand experience.
Perhaps it is most important to recognize that the State Grant (the program on behalf of which students lobbied) is not an issue of public education, but an issue concerning all higher education in the state.
Sixteen percent of all SMU undergraduates received monies from the State Grant in 2006-07, and the average grant awarded to a SMU student was $3,368. The State Grant program is one of education’s most valued efforts because it makes the cost of higher education more affordable. Bearing in mind that 80,000 students received aid monies from the State of Minnesota last year, the State Grant program is certainly an endeavor worth consideration.
Cardinal Staff
Yesterday, a group of Saint Mary’s University students went to Saint Paul to lobby at the Minnesota State Capitol in what has become an annual event.
Read more...
What is the cause they defended? Higher education.
The state of Minnesota is staring an unprecedented budget crisis straight in the face. Governor Pawlenty has, as of the submission of this article, yet to announce the official numbers, but the state is expected to be millions short. Therefore, it has become necessary to lobby legislators to defend the allocation of funds for certain state programs.
In the past, the ‘Day at the Capitol’ has included a briefing session on the situation, attendance at meetings with local legislators, tours of the Capitol and meals.
The focal point of the trip is the one-on-one meetings, according to past attendee, sophomore Ali Kremer. Kremer referred to the day as ‘a great opportunity’ and remarked several times on taking advantage of the chance to participate in government at work.
Originally attracted to the event because of her own personal interests, Kremer quickly realized that the outing provided her with an incomparable first-hand experience.
Perhaps it is most important to recognize that the State Grant (the program on behalf of which students lobbied) is not an issue of public education, but an issue concerning all higher education in the state.
Sixteen percent of all SMU undergraduates received monies from the State Grant in 2006-07, and the average grant awarded to a SMU student was $3,368. The State Grant program is one of education’s most valued efforts because it makes the cost of higher education more affordable. Bearing in mind that 80,000 students received aid monies from the State of Minnesota last year, the State Grant program is certainly an endeavor worth consideration.
Students, staff honored on Founder’s Day
By Karina Rajtar
Co-Editor in Chief
Two seniors, two professors and the De La Salle Christian Brothers were recognized at this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation on Feb. 24.
Read more...
Jakub “Kuba” Szymanski and Emily Berg were announced as this year’s Outstanding Seniors. Szymanski, an accounting major from Opole, Poland, said in his acceptance speech that attending Saint Mary’s University helped his transformation from being a shy freshman to being an involved, outspoken senior. Berg noted that every member of the senior class has made a contribution to the SMU community. She is a K-8 education and Spanish double major from Owatonna, Minn.
Two faculty members were recognized for their contributions to the university as well. Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of the School of Education, received the Distinguished Lasallian Educator award, an award given by many Lasallian universities. Anderson has long supported the San Miguel schools in Chicago and Minneapolis and has promoted literacy education.
Dean Beckman, assistant professor in the Social Science Department, received the Brother H. Charles Severin Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Severin Award goes to teachers committed to student-centered learning, and Beckman acknowledged in his acceptance speech the importance of valuing students as individuals.
The Convocation ceremony included a presentation about the Christian Brothers in honor of the 75th anniversary of their affiliation with the university. Brothers who are currently involved with the SMU community were individually acknowledged as well.
Provincial Edmond Precourt, Superior of the Long Island-New England District (LINE) and a guest to the Founder’s Day celebration, received recognition and a gift from the university on behalf of the Brothers of the LINE district for their service to the university.
Others acknowledged at the Convocation were the ten Outstanding Senior finalists, members of the Delta Epsilon Sigma national honor society, first-year student recipients of leadership scholarships and award recipients from the Twin Cities campus.
Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of the founding of SMU in 1912 by Winona Bishop Patrick R. Heffron.
Co-Editor in Chief
Two seniors, two professors and the De La Salle Christian Brothers were recognized at this year’s Founder’s Day Convocation on Feb. 24.
Read more...
Jakub “Kuba” Szymanski and Emily Berg were announced as this year’s Outstanding Seniors. Szymanski, an accounting major from Opole, Poland, said in his acceptance speech that attending Saint Mary’s University helped his transformation from being a shy freshman to being an involved, outspoken senior. Berg noted that every member of the senior class has made a contribution to the SMU community. She is a K-8 education and Spanish double major from Owatonna, Minn.
Two faculty members were recognized for their contributions to the university as well. Dr. Jane Anderson, dean of the School of Education, received the Distinguished Lasallian Educator award, an award given by many Lasallian universities. Anderson has long supported the San Miguel schools in Chicago and Minneapolis and has promoted literacy education.
Dean Beckman, assistant professor in the Social Science Department, received the Brother H. Charles Severin Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Severin Award goes to teachers committed to student-centered learning, and Beckman acknowledged in his acceptance speech the importance of valuing students as individuals.
The Convocation ceremony included a presentation about the Christian Brothers in honor of the 75th anniversary of their affiliation with the university. Brothers who are currently involved with the SMU community were individually acknowledged as well.
Provincial Edmond Precourt, Superior of the Long Island-New England District (LINE) and a guest to the Founder’s Day celebration, received recognition and a gift from the university on behalf of the Brothers of the LINE district for their service to the university.
Others acknowledged at the Convocation were the ten Outstanding Senior finalists, members of the Delta Epsilon Sigma national honor society, first-year student recipients of leadership scholarships and award recipients from the Twin Cities campus.
Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of the founding of SMU in 1912 by Winona Bishop Patrick R. Heffron.
Panel considers first diversity office
By Amira Sadek
Cardinal Staff
The idea of creating a diversity office on campus was discussed on Feb. 11, at an Inter-cultural Awareness Association-hosted diversity panel event in the President’s Room.
Read more...
A panel of eight people consisted of staff members Tony Piscitiello, Lupita Garza and Chris Kendall; faculty members Dr. Scott Sorvaag and Dr. Dorthy Diehl; and students Edith Galvez, Tamika Robinson and Peter Tornquist. They received feedback and answered questions about the potential diversity office. The office would address the need to raise awareness of cultural diversity issues, primarily concerning international students and domestic students of color, according to the panelists.
Audience input varied, but primary concerns centered around the goal and focus of the office. The audience proposed creating an informal office that encouraged and helped develop the academic aspect for international and domestic students of colors’ careers at SMU. To do this, the audience suggested hiring mentors and providing workshops for staff on diversity in education. It was also suggested that the office would promote the celebration and embracing of diversity on campus.
Details such as when, where and how much the office would cost have yet to be determined, but plans are in motion.
Cardinal Staff
The idea of creating a diversity office on campus was discussed on Feb. 11, at an Inter-cultural Awareness Association-hosted diversity panel event in the President’s Room.
Read more...
A panel of eight people consisted of staff members Tony Piscitiello, Lupita Garza and Chris Kendall; faculty members Dr. Scott Sorvaag and Dr. Dorthy Diehl; and students Edith Galvez, Tamika Robinson and Peter Tornquist. They received feedback and answered questions about the potential diversity office. The office would address the need to raise awareness of cultural diversity issues, primarily concerning international students and domestic students of color, according to the panelists.
Audience input varied, but primary concerns centered around the goal and focus of the office. The audience proposed creating an informal office that encouraged and helped develop the academic aspect for international and domestic students of colors’ careers at SMU. To do this, the audience suggested hiring mentors and providing workshops for staff on diversity in education. It was also suggested that the office would promote the celebration and embracing of diversity on campus.
Details such as when, where and how much the office would cost have yet to be determined, but plans are in motion.
Teacher of the Year addresses ASCD
By Kristina Scherber
Cardinal Staff
Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year gave a presentation to the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development members about the “why” and “how” of teaching in the 21st century and gave his top ten tips for teaching.
Read more...
On Monday, Feb. 23, Derek Olson, a sixth grade teacher in Stillwater, Minn., drove to Winona after a day of teaching to present to those interested in the field of education.
Olson’s presentation for Saint Mary’s University’s education students was well-received by those present. “I loved the speaker because you could just tell the love and passion he had for teaching,” said Hillary Stenzel, a junior education major. “He was a true inspiration to listen to. His real life lessons would make learning an adventure that I am sure students would remember.”
Attendees were presented with many ideas to take with them into the classroom. Russell Mollo, a senior education major, said he will remember the starfish analogy, which is the belief in the importance of “saving” one child, even if they cannot all be saved.
Cardinal Staff
Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year gave a presentation to the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development members about the “why” and “how” of teaching in the 21st century and gave his top ten tips for teaching.
Read more...
On Monday, Feb. 23, Derek Olson, a sixth grade teacher in Stillwater, Minn., drove to Winona after a day of teaching to present to those interested in the field of education.
Olson’s presentation for Saint Mary’s University’s education students was well-received by those present. “I loved the speaker because you could just tell the love and passion he had for teaching,” said Hillary Stenzel, a junior education major. “He was a true inspiration to listen to. His real life lessons would make learning an adventure that I am sure students would remember.”
Attendees were presented with many ideas to take with them into the classroom. Russell Mollo, a senior education major, said he will remember the starfish analogy, which is the belief in the importance of “saving” one child, even if they cannot all be saved.
Program promotes fountain use
By Becca Sandager
Cardinal Staff
Students may have noticed the recently decorated drinking fountains in Toner Student Center and Hoffman, LaSalle and Saint Mary’s Halls. These decorated drinking fountains are part of the “Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water” project.
Read more...
“Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water” is a $20,000 grant program funded by the state of Minnesota through the Minnesota Campus Compact. The project is a yearlong collaboration among Saint Mary’s University, Winona Sate University, Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board and the City of Winona, along with the Minneapolis Heart of the Beast Puppet-Mask Theater (HOBT).
The goal of “Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water” is to work with students and community members to learn more about and celebrate the Winona-area water quality and stewardship through collaborative art making. The theme of water will be incorporated into classes and presentations throughout the rest of the year.
“We’re trying to raise awareness about water,” said Dr. Joseph Tadie, SMU assistant professor of philosophy and residency coordinator for HOBT. His junior Lasallian Honors class is participating in the project. “It is an issue that is going to be an emerging serious problem for the world. We are so unthinking about it. Water is a great gift.”
Students and the community were also invited to participate in the Adopt-a-Drinking Fountain project, where they will create and implement an artistic design around a drinking fountain. The project was designed to get the community involved in raising awareness about the benefits of the clean, drinkable water in our fountains.
“We really live with an incredible privilege,” said Tadie. “There is no need to buy plastic water bottles. I can’t see how we’ve come to that when all we have to do right now is turn on the tap and (water) is there.”
A map of the decorated fountains (along with designer credit) will appear on the project’s website, http://water.southeastmn.edu.
The fountains will be decorated until March 18 and will remain in place until Earth Day celebrations on April 27.
Cardinal Staff
Students may have noticed the recently decorated drinking fountains in Toner Student Center and Hoffman, LaSalle and Saint Mary’s Halls. These decorated drinking fountains are part of the “Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water” project.
Read more...
“Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water” is a $20,000 grant program funded by the state of Minnesota through the Minnesota Campus Compact. The project is a yearlong collaboration among Saint Mary’s University, Winona Sate University, Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board and the City of Winona, along with the Minneapolis Heart of the Beast Puppet-Mask Theater (HOBT).
The goal of “Our Drinking Fountains, Our Water” is to work with students and community members to learn more about and celebrate the Winona-area water quality and stewardship through collaborative art making. The theme of water will be incorporated into classes and presentations throughout the rest of the year.
“We’re trying to raise awareness about water,” said Dr. Joseph Tadie, SMU assistant professor of philosophy and residency coordinator for HOBT. His junior Lasallian Honors class is participating in the project. “It is an issue that is going to be an emerging serious problem for the world. We are so unthinking about it. Water is a great gift.”
Students and the community were also invited to participate in the Adopt-a-Drinking Fountain project, where they will create and implement an artistic design around a drinking fountain. The project was designed to get the community involved in raising awareness about the benefits of the clean, drinkable water in our fountains.
“We really live with an incredible privilege,” said Tadie. “There is no need to buy plastic water bottles. I can’t see how we’ve come to that when all we have to do right now is turn on the tap and (water) is there.”
A map of the decorated fountains (along with designer credit) will appear on the project’s website, http://water.southeastmn.edu.
The fountains will be decorated until March 18 and will remain in place until Earth Day celebrations on April 27.
Students present benefits of water
By Karina RajtarCo-Editor in Chief
Dr. Joseph Tadie’s, SMU assistant professor of philosophy, junior Lasallian honors class teamed up with one of Gary Diomandes’s, chair of theatre arts, theater classes and the Minneapolis Heart of the Beast Puppet-Mask Theater (HOBT) to promote the use of the many drinking fountains on campus.
The classes decorated drinking fountains, presented statistics in the plaza and worked with HOBT to lead a procession around campus. The procession began in the Toner Student Center and went through the Adducci Science Center, LaSalle Hall and Saint Mary’s Hall, stopping at various drinking fountains to provide demonstrations explaining the importance of water.
Students, faculty and staff were welcome to join one of the processions and were sometimes given costumes to wear, props to carry or drums to beat. Costumes and drums were provided by HOBT, and a member of HOBT accompanied the procession on accordion.
2006 alum is remembered
By Danielle LarsonCo-Editor in Chief
Friday, Feb. 13, became a day of sadness for students, faculty and staff as they learned about a fatal plane crash in Buffalo, New York, that took one of Saint Mary’s University’s own, Madeline “Maddy” Loftus (’06 graduate).
Read more...
Press releases and news stories were quick to inform about the Continental Connection Flight 3407 plane that crashed due to bad weather, and about the 49 people who left behind families, friends and co-workers because of the crash.
As news stories went out about the victims, they reported on families, had quotes from friends and told of victims’ passions and accomplishments in life.
As a marketing major, Loftus took many classes with Dr. Thomas Marpe, dean of the SMU School of Business. Marpe recalled a project Loftus did with fellow classmates Jessica Ribbish and Patrick Good. The project was entitled “The Feasibility on an Entertainment Complex in Winona.” Marpe said the group thought the complex should contain “mini-golf, batting cages, laser tag, arcade games and more.” He believes the project represented Loftus’ interest in sports.
Loftus’ love for hockey was reported several times. At SMU, Loftus played a total of 52 games, scored 10 goals and had 11 assists. She scored a total of 21 points for SMU.
“Maddy was the first senior to graduate from my program,” said Terry Mannor, SMU women’s hockey coach in a SMU press release. “She will always hold a special place in my heart.” Loftus played at SMU for two years after playing for Buffalo State University.
Senior Jill Rhody played hockey with Loftus her first year here. She recalled that they both had the same playing style: rough. “We played just like each other,” she said. “She called me her ‘mini-me.’”
A commonality between reported stories was that Loftus had unconditional love for her friends.
Senior Doug Placko said, “I have never met someone who was as passionate about her friends and the game of hockey as Maddy. She was such an unselfish person who cared about the well-being of others more than her own interests.”
A few days after the crash, a Facebook page dedicated to Loftus was created. Currently, approximately 950 people have joined the page. In the page description it states: “Maddy will always be remembered for her love of life, wonderful personality, New Jersey attitude and her amazing smile. She will be forever missed and will always remain in our hearts.”
A memorial service for Loftus will be held in the SMU Gym on March 14.
Event warns against alcohol abuse
By Carrie Russell
Guest Writer
When students enter the Toner Student Center during the lunch hour March 16, they will be greeted by a variety of activities as part of Saint Mary’s University’s annual Safe and Sober Day.
Safe and Sober Day is intended to bring awareness to and educate students on the effects of binge drinking and driving while impaired.
Read more...
Officer Kevin Kearney, community liaison officer with the Winona Police Department, will promote alcohol awareness by offering students simulation experiences of excessive alcohol use and the effects it has on a body.
A Mothers Against Drunk Driving crash vehicle will be in the plaza to alert the SMU community of the dangers of drinking and driving. Red ribbons will be handed out to raise awareness and demonstrate a pledge never to drink and drive.
SMU’s student population scored above the national average in a Core Alcohol and Drug Survey conducted by the SIUC/Core Institute.
When students were asked if they had participated in binge drinking in the previous two weeks, the results indicated 59 percent of students admitted to binging, compared to the national average of about 46 percent. The same survey revealed that 93 percent of male students and 83 percent of female students at SMU said they saw drinking as central to their social life.
Students were also questioned on the reasons why they use alcohol. Some of the main reasons given were that it gives people something to do, breaks the ice, enhances social activity, is something to talk about and facilitates a connection with peers.
The SMU community is working hard to lower these numbers through events such as Safe and Sober Day.
Guest Writer
When students enter the Toner Student Center during the lunch hour March 16, they will be greeted by a variety of activities as part of Saint Mary’s University’s annual Safe and Sober Day.
Safe and Sober Day is intended to bring awareness to and educate students on the effects of binge drinking and driving while impaired.
Read more...
Officer Kevin Kearney, community liaison officer with the Winona Police Department, will promote alcohol awareness by offering students simulation experiences of excessive alcohol use and the effects it has on a body.
A Mothers Against Drunk Driving crash vehicle will be in the plaza to alert the SMU community of the dangers of drinking and driving. Red ribbons will be handed out to raise awareness and demonstrate a pledge never to drink and drive.
SMU’s student population scored above the national average in a Core Alcohol and Drug Survey conducted by the SIUC/Core Institute.
When students were asked if they had participated in binge drinking in the previous two weeks, the results indicated 59 percent of students admitted to binging, compared to the national average of about 46 percent. The same survey revealed that 93 percent of male students and 83 percent of female students at SMU said they saw drinking as central to their social life.
Students were also questioned on the reasons why they use alcohol. Some of the main reasons given were that it gives people something to do, breaks the ice, enhances social activity, is something to talk about and facilitates a connection with peers.
The SMU community is working hard to lower these numbers through events such as Safe and Sober Day.
Club hosts poverty awareness event
By Robby McGuire
Cardinal Staff
“Engage: Poverty,” an event targeted at promoting awareness of poverty around the region, and around the world, will be held by the Peace and Justice Club Friday, March 20-22.
Read more...
“Poverty is an important issue because some people think it only happens in Africa or the developing countries of the world,” said freshman Marcy Mueller, a first-year member of the Peace and Justice Club. “But in reality, poverty is everywhere, even right here in Winona.”
The mission of the event is to “foster awareness of peace and justice in collaboration with the Saint Mary’s community by engaging the mind, heart, and body.”
The event will begin with a clothing sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Toner Student Center Room B. This will be followed by a Spoken word performance at 7 p.m. The clothing sale will resume Saturday during the same hours, and will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes a Fair Trade Fair and the Habitat bake sale from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Hunger Banquet, which will demonstrate the distribution of wealth around the world, will take place in the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Julia Dinsmore will speak of her experiences of poverty at 3 p.m., and the day will end with a poverty documentary at 8 p.m.
Sunday will feature a 4:30 p.m. interfaith prayer service in collaboration with the Winona State Newman Center, SMU Coexist and Students for Life.
Mueller said, “We are having this “Engage: Poverty” weekend to spread the word about poverty and show others that we can help, we can make a difference.”
Any questions, comments, or ideas for “Engage: Poverty,” can be brought up at club meetings. Everyone is welcome.
Peace and Justice meets every Monday at 8 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Hall room 232.
Cardinal Staff
“Engage: Poverty,” an event targeted at promoting awareness of poverty around the region, and around the world, will be held by the Peace and Justice Club Friday, March 20-22.
Read more...
“Poverty is an important issue because some people think it only happens in Africa or the developing countries of the world,” said freshman Marcy Mueller, a first-year member of the Peace and Justice Club. “But in reality, poverty is everywhere, even right here in Winona.”
The mission of the event is to “foster awareness of peace and justice in collaboration with the Saint Mary’s community by engaging the mind, heart, and body.”
The event will begin with a clothing sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Toner Student Center Room B. This will be followed by a Spoken word performance at 7 p.m. The clothing sale will resume Saturday during the same hours, and will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes a Fair Trade Fair and the Habitat bake sale from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Hunger Banquet, which will demonstrate the distribution of wealth around the world, will take place in the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Julia Dinsmore will speak of her experiences of poverty at 3 p.m., and the day will end with a poverty documentary at 8 p.m.
Sunday will feature a 4:30 p.m. interfaith prayer service in collaboration with the Winona State Newman Center, SMU Coexist and Students for Life.
Mueller said, “We are having this “Engage: Poverty” weekend to spread the word about poverty and show others that we can help, we can make a difference.”
Any questions, comments, or ideas for “Engage: Poverty,” can be brought up at club meetings. Everyone is welcome.
Peace and Justice meets every Monday at 8 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Hall room 232.
School embraces changes
By Tamika Robinson
Feature Editor
Student-led protests against the Vietnam War, the addition of buildings such as the Gostomski Fieldhouse and Skemp Hall and playing hockey outdoors are some of the things that make up Saint Mary’s University’s past.
Read more...
The 1960s to the 1980s proved to be a time of transition for SMU. The once all-male college became co-ed in 1969, the physical appearance of SMU began to enhance with the addition of new buildings and modern facilities such as the Toner Center, also in 1969, and political speech began to have its voice on campus.
Some of today’s faculty and staff were around to witness those changes. Dr. William Crozier, history adjunct professor and university archivist, came to SMU in 1968. He began his career here as a history professor and recalled what SMU was like when he first came.
“(When the college was still all-male) the academics at that time were really terrific, not that they are bad now. (Students) didn’t have things like the Internet and iPod’s. They had to go out amongst themselves and to debate in class. It was a very lively and intellectual year,” said Crozier.
He also recalled when the Vietnam War began and the effect that had, particularly at SMU. “The Vietnam War was going on and that was kind of critical,” Crozier said. “There was a lot of strife about whether the war was just. There were a number of student movements, some pro-war and some anti-war.”
Students from the College of Saint Teresa and even faculty members participated in movements that wanted to destroy draft records, like the Anti-war Movement, which was strong at SMU. The Women’s Movement and the Civil Rights Movement also had strong influences on SMU at that time.
Throughout the history of SMU, some things have remained the same, like the student-teacher relationships and the expectation level of the teachers, said Dr. Marilyn Frost, associate dean of social/behavioral/computer sciences and psychology professor, who came to SMU in 1969 as a professor.
“There’s a spirit here that a lot of schools don’t have. There was at that time and there still is,” said Crozier.
Feature Editor
Student-led protests against the Vietnam War, the addition of buildings such as the Gostomski Fieldhouse and Skemp Hall and playing hockey outdoors are some of the things that make up Saint Mary’s University’s past.
Read more...
The 1960s to the 1980s proved to be a time of transition for SMU. The once all-male college became co-ed in 1969, the physical appearance of SMU began to enhance with the addition of new buildings and modern facilities such as the Toner Center, also in 1969, and political speech began to have its voice on campus.
Some of today’s faculty and staff were around to witness those changes. Dr. William Crozier, history adjunct professor and university archivist, came to SMU in 1968. He began his career here as a history professor and recalled what SMU was like when he first came.
“(When the college was still all-male) the academics at that time were really terrific, not that they are bad now. (Students) didn’t have things like the Internet and iPod’s. They had to go out amongst themselves and to debate in class. It was a very lively and intellectual year,” said Crozier.
He also recalled when the Vietnam War began and the effect that had, particularly at SMU. “The Vietnam War was going on and that was kind of critical,” Crozier said. “There was a lot of strife about whether the war was just. There were a number of student movements, some pro-war and some anti-war.”
Students from the College of Saint Teresa and even faculty members participated in movements that wanted to destroy draft records, like the Anti-war Movement, which was strong at SMU. The Women’s Movement and the Civil Rights Movement also had strong influences on SMU at that time.
Throughout the history of SMU, some things have remained the same, like the student-teacher relationships and the expectation level of the teachers, said Dr. Marilyn Frost, associate dean of social/behavioral/computer sciences and psychology professor, who came to SMU in 1969 as a professor.
“There’s a spirit here that a lot of schools don’t have. There was at that time and there still is,” said Crozier.
Fun facts from the past
By Sarah McDonough
Cardinal Staff
While flipping through Saint Mary’s University yearbooks dating back to the 1980s, students can find how student life then differed from it now. Students might expect to see the Goldie Hawn hair and the ever-stylish huge, thick-framed glasses page after page, but there are a few things that could really catch someone by surprise.
Read more...
- There was a Greek Life. At one time, SMU had eight fraternities and sororities. Some of them were TKE, Alpha Delta Gamma and Alpha Kappa Psi. Alpha Kappa Psi was a business fraternity tha was known for great parties like the annual St. Patrick’s Day party and other socials they held.
- They lived where? Some student housing that underclassman and upperclassman alike enjoyed residing in were Aquinas (renamed Vlazny), Griffin Hall, 4th floor of Saint Mary’s Hall and “The White House”- a house on campus that at one time housed six people. Students who lived off campus were referred to as O.C.O.O.Ts (Off Campus Out Of Town).
- PROM! The annual Senior-Junior Prom was held off campus and was always a big hit. One year it was held in Rochester, Minn.
- The Cardinal Club was known as The Pub. Alcohol was served there to those of age (18 years old was the legal drinking age then). It was a safe way for students to have a place to drink without going off campus. Some events that were hosted there were Irish Pub Night and Alcohol Awareness Week.
-No Cardinals here! SMU’s mascot was once the Redman.
Cardinal Staff
While flipping through Saint Mary’s University yearbooks dating back to the 1980s, students can find how student life then differed from it now. Students might expect to see the Goldie Hawn hair and the ever-stylish huge, thick-framed glasses page after page, but there are a few things that could really catch someone by surprise.
Read more...
- There was a Greek Life. At one time, SMU had eight fraternities and sororities. Some of them were TKE, Alpha Delta Gamma and Alpha Kappa Psi. Alpha Kappa Psi was a business fraternity tha was known for great parties like the annual St. Patrick’s Day party and other socials they held.
- They lived where? Some student housing that underclassman and upperclassman alike enjoyed residing in were Aquinas (renamed Vlazny), Griffin Hall, 4th floor of Saint Mary’s Hall and “The White House”- a house on campus that at one time housed six people. Students who lived off campus were referred to as O.C.O.O.Ts (Off Campus Out Of Town).
- PROM! The annual Senior-Junior Prom was held off campus and was always a big hit. One year it was held in Rochester, Minn.
- The Cardinal Club was known as The Pub. Alcohol was served there to those of age (18 years old was the legal drinking age then). It was a safe way for students to have a place to drink without going off campus. Some events that were hosted there were Irish Pub Night and Alcohol Awareness Week.
-No Cardinals here! SMU’s mascot was once the Redman.
Saint Mary’s goes co-ed
By Ashley Acosta
Cardinal Staff
The 1960s brought many drastic social changes to the United States. The Vietnam War was in full swing, psychedelic music dominated the airwaves, Women’s Liberation was a household concept, hippie ideals overtook the youth and Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
Read more...
During this new age, Saint Mary’s College was searching for a new identity and looking for ways to grow and keep up with the times. In 1968, officials at Saint Mary’s acknowledged that its staff included female professors, but the student body was all-male. The college decided it was time for a transition to a co-ed institution.
The Saint Mary’s all-male campus was experiencing a decline in numbers. The challenge was to find ways to increase and expand the enrollment pool while still keeping up with a changing society. At that time, the college was affiliated with the College of Saint Teresa and Winona State University. Administrators concluded the best solution was to merge with the Saint Teresa all-female campus.
Saint Mary’s officials proposed integrating the campus to the Sisters of Saint Francis, who would ultimately make the decision on behalf of Saint Teresa.
After much discussion, the Sisters decided Saint Teresa was not ready to join forces with the all-male campus, and Saint Mary’s was back to square one.
A new proposal called for opening its admission to women, but this idea presented another concern. Officials worried that it would adversely impact the enrollment of its sister school. Saint Mary’s administration debated how to open enrollment to women without taking students from Saint Teresa.
Officials came up with a compromise. Saint Mary’s students would be able to take certain areas of study, such as nursing, elementary education and home economics, strictly at Saint Teresa while remaining official students of Saint Mary’s.
In December of 1968, the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees
approved the new proposal that would allow admission of women as full-time students. Twenty-nine women attended Saint Mary’s that December with the full support of the faculty and staff.
Former history professor Dr. William Crozier supported integration of females. “The decision to admit (women) was a great one,” Crozier said. “Women changed the atmosphere, making it better. Women challenged the males academically in a sort of competitive way, making the education better for everyone.”
Women on campus not only resulted in a change of atmosphere, but also physical changes. There was need for additional housing, so the college renovated Skemp Residential Hall as well as Griffin Hall.
Since the first class in 1968, the enrollment of women has rapidly progressed. Throughout the 1970s, when most colleges experienced a severe decline in enrollment, Saint Mary’s saw a 20-percent increase.
By 1979, Saint Mary’s experienced record enrollment numbers with 1,200 students, half of those being female. From 1968 to 1979, women’s enrollment continued to increase, and today 53 percent of the Saint Mary’s student body is female. In the last four decades, Saint Mary’s has evolved from its initial 29 women to nearly 700.
Today, women play vital roles in academics, athletics, arts and student organizations and clubs.
Cardinal Staff
The 1960s brought many drastic social changes to the United States. The Vietnam War was in full swing, psychedelic music dominated the airwaves, Women’s Liberation was a household concept, hippie ideals overtook the youth and Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
Read more...
During this new age, Saint Mary’s College was searching for a new identity and looking for ways to grow and keep up with the times. In 1968, officials at Saint Mary’s acknowledged that its staff included female professors, but the student body was all-male. The college decided it was time for a transition to a co-ed institution.
The Saint Mary’s all-male campus was experiencing a decline in numbers. The challenge was to find ways to increase and expand the enrollment pool while still keeping up with a changing society. At that time, the college was affiliated with the College of Saint Teresa and Winona State University. Administrators concluded the best solution was to merge with the Saint Teresa all-female campus.
Saint Mary’s officials proposed integrating the campus to the Sisters of Saint Francis, who would ultimately make the decision on behalf of Saint Teresa.
After much discussion, the Sisters decided Saint Teresa was not ready to join forces with the all-male campus, and Saint Mary’s was back to square one.
A new proposal called for opening its admission to women, but this idea presented another concern. Officials worried that it would adversely impact the enrollment of its sister school. Saint Mary’s administration debated how to open enrollment to women without taking students from Saint Teresa.
Officials came up with a compromise. Saint Mary’s students would be able to take certain areas of study, such as nursing, elementary education and home economics, strictly at Saint Teresa while remaining official students of Saint Mary’s.
In December of 1968, the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees
approved the new proposal that would allow admission of women as full-time students. Twenty-nine women attended Saint Mary’s that December with the full support of the faculty and staff.
Former history professor Dr. William Crozier supported integration of females. “The decision to admit (women) was a great one,” Crozier said. “Women changed the atmosphere, making it better. Women challenged the males academically in a sort of competitive way, making the education better for everyone.”
Women on campus not only resulted in a change of atmosphere, but also physical changes. There was need for additional housing, so the college renovated Skemp Residential Hall as well as Griffin Hall.
Since the first class in 1968, the enrollment of women has rapidly progressed. Throughout the 1970s, when most colleges experienced a severe decline in enrollment, Saint Mary’s saw a 20-percent increase.
By 1979, Saint Mary’s experienced record enrollment numbers with 1,200 students, half of those being female. From 1968 to 1979, women’s enrollment continued to increase, and today 53 percent of the Saint Mary’s student body is female. In the last four decades, Saint Mary’s has evolved from its initial 29 women to nearly 700.
Today, women play vital roles in academics, athletics, arts and student organizations and clubs.
Show captures audience’s feelings
By Tesla Rodriquez
Cardinal Staff
The Long Christmas Ride Home, directed by Saint Mary’s University student Sarah St. Laurent, tugged at the heartstrings of audiences on Feb. 26-28 and March 1-2.
Read more...
“There have been people who’ve cried,” said Nick Merkt, one of the pupeteers of the character named Stephen.
In the play, three of the characters were puppets. The three-foot tall puppets that were created for the play are called Bunraku puppets. Each puppet is controlled by two individuals, taking hours of practice and teamwork.
Normally, learning the art of the Bunraku puppets is something that is passed down through a Japanese family.
“People spend their whole lives learning what we crammed in a weekend,” said Jake Clapham, the other puppeteer who plays Stephen.
Although puppets would normally be left out of a play that is directed toward adults, these puppets brought the audience to a whole new level, introducing mature issues with comic figures.
The Long Christmas Ride Home deals with real-life adult issues that almost anyone can empathize with, from a husband who cheats on his wife and a mother who is jealous of her husband’s mistress to a boy with feminine desires.
“The audience is definitely taken on a rollercoaster ride,” said Merkt.
Cardinal Staff
The Long Christmas Ride Home, directed by Saint Mary’s University student Sarah St. Laurent, tugged at the heartstrings of audiences on Feb. 26-28 and March 1-2.
Read more...
“There have been people who’ve cried,” said Nick Merkt, one of the pupeteers of the character named Stephen.
In the play, three of the characters were puppets. The three-foot tall puppets that were created for the play are called Bunraku puppets. Each puppet is controlled by two individuals, taking hours of practice and teamwork.
Normally, learning the art of the Bunraku puppets is something that is passed down through a Japanese family.
“People spend their whole lives learning what we crammed in a weekend,” said Jake Clapham, the other puppeteer who plays Stephen.
Although puppets would normally be left out of a play that is directed toward adults, these puppets brought the audience to a whole new level, introducing mature issues with comic figures.
The Long Christmas Ride Home deals with real-life adult issues that almost anyone can empathize with, from a husband who cheats on his wife and a mother who is jealous of her husband’s mistress to a boy with feminine desires.
“The audience is definitely taken on a rollercoaster ride,” said Merkt.
Annual benefit dance to be held March 28
By Sara Eisenhauer
Cardinal Staff
The family of two Saint Mary’s University alumni was the selected beneficiary for the funds raised at the ninth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, which will be held Saturday, March 28, in Toner Center Dining Hall.
Read more...
Mia and Bill Geheren’s (’90) son Charlie, who was adopted by the SMU alumni, suffers from brain damage, severe cerebral palsy, cortical blindness and other medical issues.
According to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance planning committee, the Geheren’s, who have four children, three of whom were adopted and were exposed to drugs at birth, have been struggling to fit their entire family into one car with all of Charlie’s medical equipment.
“It’s getting hard for the family to transport him,” said Molly Jewison, co-chair of the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance planning committee. “The proceeds will go towards a vehicle so the family can travel together.”
Each year the planning committee, which is made up of SMU students, chooses the beneficiaries from potential candidates who submit letters, said Jewison. Candidates must have some connection to SMU.
SMU students and alumni are invited to attend the dance each year, and the money from ticket sales goes to the family of the beneficiary, said Jewison.
“Besides being a lot of fun, the money from the dance goes towards a wonderful family who is very deserving of the money,” said Jewison. “It will help make their life a little easier. Students have the opportunity to change a little part of the world by dancing and having fun.”
Taylor Richmond and his family were the first beneficiaries of the dance in 2000. Nikki Richmond, Taylor’s mother and secretary of student activities, leadership and service and campus ministry, said their family used the funds from the first dance to take a Make-a-Wish trip for Taylor. According to Richmond, he suffers from Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT), a terminal genetic illness that is “like having heart and liver disease, pulmonary disease, the immune system of a cancer or AIDS person and cancer all rolled into one.”
The dance is held in Taylor’s name each year and has raised over $78,000 for the benefiting families since the first dance, said richmondi Richmond.
This year’s dance theme is “I Just Can’t Wait to be King,” because of Charlie Geheren’s love for African drums. The cost is $15 for individual tickets and $25 for couples.
Cardinal Staff
The family of two Saint Mary’s University alumni was the selected beneficiary for the funds raised at the ninth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, which will be held Saturday, March 28, in Toner Center Dining Hall.
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Mia and Bill Geheren’s (’90) son Charlie, who was adopted by the SMU alumni, suffers from brain damage, severe cerebral palsy, cortical blindness and other medical issues.
According to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance planning committee, the Geheren’s, who have four children, three of whom were adopted and were exposed to drugs at birth, have been struggling to fit their entire family into one car with all of Charlie’s medical equipment.
“It’s getting hard for the family to transport him,” said Molly Jewison, co-chair of the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance planning committee. “The proceeds will go towards a vehicle so the family can travel together.”
Each year the planning committee, which is made up of SMU students, chooses the beneficiaries from potential candidates who submit letters, said Jewison. Candidates must have some connection to SMU.
SMU students and alumni are invited to attend the dance each year, and the money from ticket sales goes to the family of the beneficiary, said Jewison.
“Besides being a lot of fun, the money from the dance goes towards a wonderful family who is very deserving of the money,” said Jewison. “It will help make their life a little easier. Students have the opportunity to change a little part of the world by dancing and having fun.”
Taylor Richmond and his family were the first beneficiaries of the dance in 2000. Nikki Richmond, Taylor’s mother and secretary of student activities, leadership and service and campus ministry, said their family used the funds from the first dance to take a Make-a-Wish trip for Taylor. According to Richmond, he suffers from Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT), a terminal genetic illness that is “like having heart and liver disease, pulmonary disease, the immune system of a cancer or AIDS person and cancer all rolled into one.”
The dance is held in Taylor’s name each year and has raised over $78,000 for the benefiting families since the first dance, said richmondi Richmond.
This year’s dance theme is “I Just Can’t Wait to be King,” because of Charlie Geheren’s love for African drums. The cost is $15 for individual tickets and $25 for couples.
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