Saint Mary's Newsroom

Campus Connection

An update from the president to alumni and parents

You’re invited: International Symposium on Lasallian Research

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the 7th annual International Symposium on Lasallian Research Friday to Sunday, Sept. 21-23, on the Saint Mary’s Twin Cities Campus. This yearly symposium gathers creative minds to discuss key characteristics or areas in the field of Lasallian research today; look beyond a study solely of the origins, tradition, and heritage in Lasallian research; break open the possibilities for Lasallian research in the 21st century; and propose avenues or topics for future needed Lasallian research. The goal is also to develop a community of scholars committed to supporting, conducting, and publishing Lasallian research.

For more information on keynote speakers and registration, visit the International Symposium on Lasallian Research web page. Registration costs $260. Contact Dr. Roxanne Eubank, professor and director of the Institute of Lasallian Studies at reubank@smumn.edu, if you have questions.

Register today for the 2018 Huether Lasallian Conference

This year’s Huether Lasallian Conference will take place Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 15-17, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minn., with a theme of “Limitless Potential: Transforming Lasallian Communities.” Faculty, staff, administrators, and community members are welcome to attend the conference which features informative, inspiring, and knowledgeable presenters from within and outside the Lasallian family who will touch on the critical role Lasallians play in transforming communities by going beyond geographical and societal borders. Participants will have the opportunity to experience community during the conference through prayer and social networking.

For more information about keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and registration, visit the Christian Brothers Conference website. Those interested are encouraged to register by Friday, Sept. 28, to receive the discounted rate of $450. Registration will close at noon EST on Friday, Nov. 9.

GeoSpatial Services does fieldwork in Alaska

GeoSpatial Services (GSS) Director Andy Robertson and Project Manager Kevin Stark recently traveled to western Alaska for reconnaissance and wetland mapping validation fieldwork in the Kuskokwim River Drainage. They were joined on the fieldwork by the new National Wetland Inventory coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Region 7. The team contracted a helicopter to fly them to pre-determined field locations where they were able to verify satellite imagery signatures and to build a library of reference photos and observations of wetlands and hydrography. This process involved examining available satellite imagery, correlating signatures to observations from the helicopter, and some on-the-ground field sampling such as identifying dominant vegetation, identifying hydrologic indicators of wetlands, and taking soil samples to confirm hydric soils. They also saw a variety of wildlife, including bears and moose, and observed the impacts of historic gold mining in the area. You can find photos from the trip on the GSS website at geospatialservices.org/news.

Photo caption: Andy Robertson, GSS director, and Elizabeth Powers of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Alaska examine soil characteristics in a saturated emergent wetland.

Update on New President’s Questionnaire

I want to thank those of you who took the time to complete the New President’s Questionnaire. This was sent to university faculty and staff on July 10, 2018. As I indicated at that time, the questionnaire was designed to collect information from multiple sources within the university about how they see the university. This information will continue to be helpful to me as I move forward in the presidency. A subcommittee of the Presidential Transition Team (comprised of faculty members Lynn Albee and Joe Tadie, professor emerita and trustee Marilyn Frost, along with Brother Frank Carr, FSC, and Vice President Audrey Kintzi) analyzed the responses to the questionnaire. They provided me with an executive summary of the results and all the survey responses. I am grateful to them for their work on this.

Please know I found your responses to these questions to be thoughtful, respectful, and highly informative. It is clear that you are proud of Saint Mary’s and the work that we do. It is also clear that you support, in words and deeds, the mission of this university. I have also heard your concerns about communication, transparency, and leadership. I hope to use your responses to inform our strategic planning both procedurally and substantively. Again, thank you for your help so early in my presidency. I am humbled by your commitment to our fine university.

Learning new skills in the kitchen

As a way to create a vibrant campus and transformational residential life experience at the College, a series of monthly classes called Teaching Kitchen are being held on the Winona Campus in Toner Student Center dining room with Chartwells Chef Jim Esser and Saint Mary’s Dietitian Sarah Nicklay. Teaching Kitchen offers education in basic cooking techniques in addition to enhanced nutrition. The initial classes, held during Welcome Weekend involved 25 student participants (which was the maximum capacity). These students learned hands-on knife skills and used these skills to make pico de gallo and pineapple mango salsa. At the end of the class, the students ate their creations with chicken fajitas and took their salsas and recipes home with them. The first class was free to participants, and the remaining classes will cost one meal swipe. The next Teaching Kitchen class will be held Oct. 6 with a theme of eating local. The class will begin with a trip to the Winona Farmer’s Market to purchase ingredients. Students will be able to sign up the week prior to the class at the Toner Student Center dining room register or at dineoncampus.com/saintmarys.

Inauguration committee announced

I am pleased to announce the creation of the Presidential Inauguration Committee. This committee will assist Inauguration Committee Co-Chairs, Vice President Audrey Kintzi and General Counsel/Executive Vice President Ann Merchlewitz, with the planning and execution of my inauguration on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. I am grateful they have accepted these responsibilities and look forward to working with the committee as we bring to life the inauguration theme, Saint Mary’s: A Sign of Faith, Hope, & Knowledge. The committee includes the following individuals:

Mark Barber, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean (College)
Jim Bedtke, Vice President of Facilities
Moni Berg-Binder, Associate Professor of Biology
Gena Bilden, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Services (SGPP)
Ben Buerkle, SGPP student
Kelly Boice, Business Office Controller
Sarah Ferguson, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean (SGPP)
Tim Gossen, Vice President of Mission and Student Life
Aldontae Guess, College student
Tianna Johnson, Director of IT and User Services
Scott Kneeskern, Director of Brand and Creative Services
Michael Ostman, Director of Student Activities
Laura Sonday, College student
Deb Nahrgang, Director of Strategic Communications
Megan Sadowski, Director of Donor Relations
Nick Winecke, Interim Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach

You can find more information about the inauguration at smumn.edu/inauguration.

Saint Mary’s University extends partnership with Wiley Education Services

Ten-year contract extension includes the launch of two new programs

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, a private, non-profit Lasallian educational institution, and Wiley Education Services, a division of Wiley that provides tailored services and technology solutions to higher education institutions, are pleased to announce a 10-year extension of their existing partnership. The extension will run through 2029 and includes the launch of two new graduate programs—a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Health—and multiple future programs under consideration. These additions will bring the total number of fully online programs offered at Saint Mary’s in partnership with Wiley to 16.

Saint Mary’s and Wiley originally partnered in 2010 to launch and develop the university’s online programs, which now account for more than 1200 students. “We are confident in our enhanced partnership with Wiley Education Services as we know from experience they have the resources, proven track record, and appetite for innovation that will continue to fuel our online growth initiatives,” said Reverend James Burns, Saint Mary’s president. Since the onset of the partnership, Saint Mary’s and Wiley have recognized the importance of shared values and a long-term commitment to meet the needs of 21st century learners.

With plans to increase its online enrollments regionally and nationally by 2025, Saint Mary’s will leverage Wiley to support this goal. Together, Saint Mary’s and Wiley will continue to launch new online programs, expand into new markets, and maximize the current online student experience to ensure Saint Mary’s continues to offer exceptional learning opportunities.

“Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a wonderful partner and we have developed a strong, collaborative relationship over the years,” said Matt Hillman,Wiley Education Services senior vice president and general manager. “We look forward to continuing our work together over the next 10 years and empowering students to achieve their education and career goals.”

To learn more about Saint Mary’s online programs, visit onlineprograms.smumn.edu. To learn more about Wiley Education Services, go to edservices.wiley.com.

About Wiley

Wiley, a global company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company’s website can be accessed at wiley.com.

About Wiley Education Services

Wiley Education Services, a division of Wiley, is a leading, global provider of tailored services and technology solutions to higher education institutions. It currently partners with more than 30 institutions across the US, Europe, and Australia, supports over 250 degree programs and more than 3000 courses, encompassing on campus, online, and hybrid models. Wiley Education Services works collaboratively with its partners to provide tailored services, technology, insights, and content that help to improve institutional performance and help learners to achieve their goals. For more information go to edservices.wiley.com.

Saint Mary’s to host open houses for adults interested in returning to school

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will host open house information sessions in two Twin Cities locations for adults who want to learn more about the university’s many graduate and professional school program options. The events, which are free and open to the public, are happening.

Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Saint Mary’s University Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Thursday, Sept. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Apple Valley Center, 14200 Cedar Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124

All are invited to attend, especially individuals who are interested in pursuing a Saint Mary’s program offered in the Twin Cities which includes a variety of bachelor’s completion and advanced-degree options. Register here.

Saint Mary’s offers more than 60 programs for adults through its Schools of Business and Technology, Education, and Health and Human Services. For a list of bachelor’s completion, master’s, graduate certificate, specialist, and doctoral degrees offered, visit smumn.edu/academics.

For more information on open houses or programs offered at Saint Mary’s, call 612-728-5100, email tcadmission@smumn.edu, or visit smumn.edu/admission.