Saint Mary's Newsroom
Campus ConnectionAn update from the president to alumni and parents
GeoSpatial Services travels to New Mexico
At the end of April, GeoSpatial Services (GSS) staff Andy Robertson and John Anderson conducted pre-mapping wetland field work in central and western New Mexico, along with two staff members from the New Mexico Environment Department and one from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The goal of the trip was to validate preliminary wetland boundaries mapped based on aerial imagery. When completed, the two-year project will result in the first comprehensive wetland map for this five-million-acre area of the state.
GeoSpatial Services works with Arizona tribe
Last week, GeoSpatial Services (GSS) staff Kevin Stark and Eric Lindquist traveled to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona to conduct wetland training for White Mountain Apache tribal staff. Topics included how to use wetland and riparian GIS data recently created by GSS, an introduction to the wetland classifications used in the GIS data, and suggestions on how the tribe might use these data in conjunction with their ongoing spring inventory and water quality data monitoring efforts.
They also discussed using the data to predict wetland functions and to help determine where the tribe might engage in wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration on tribal lands. The group took field trips to several locations on tribal lands including spring-fed wetlands, streams, floodplains, and restoration sites where wetland classifications, mapping, and wetland functions were discussed.
Tristano publishes Lasallian book
Dr. Richard Tristano, History Department, has published a book titled, “John Baptist de La Salle and the Brothers of the Christian Schools: a Contextual Approach, France 1525-1725,” Digital Journal of Lasallian Research, Opening Perspectives Collection, No. 1, April 2018.
The book is available on the Digital Journal website.
Poling appointed senior research fellow
Dr. John D. Poling, chair of the Philosophy Department, has been appointed a Senior Research Fellow at the Howard and Edna Hong Kierkegaard Library at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Future projects include final editing for publication of “Stewards of Mysteries,” a book of sermonic essays by Dr. Paul L. Holmer, former Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology at Yale Divinity School.
Dr. Poling is retiring this spring after more than 23 years of teaching, including 18 years at Saint Mary’s, five years at St. Olaf College, and six months at the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, a Christian Brothers institution where he began his teaching career.
GeoSpatial Services director presents at national meeting
In early April, GeoSpatial Services (GSS) Director Andy Robertson facilitated a workshop on wetland and floodplain functional assessments at the annual meeting of the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) in Washington, D.C. The one-day conference was attended by 70 wetland professionals from federal and state agencies. The focus of Robertson’s workshop was on developing inventory approaches for assessing the ecological functions of wetlands and floodplains.
Saint Mary’s in the news
The Winona Daily News published this story on our new president and this story on the Celebration of Scholarship.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune published this story on our new president.
The Rochester Post Bulletin published this story on our new president.
The Winona Post published this story on our new president.
Last ‘Campus Notes’ of the academic year
This is the last “Campus Notes” issue of the academic year. Continue to notify the Office of Marketing and Communications of story ideas, photo opportunities, events, and other news throughout the summer! “Campus Notes” will resume in August when the 2018-19 school year begins.
Saint Mary’s president receives farewell musical gift May 12
WINONA, Minn. — As Saint Mary’s University President Brother William Mann, FSC, departs the stage for his final commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, he’ll be accompanied by the same music that welcomed him at his inauguration.
Eric Heukeshoven of the Music Department has created a new recessional edition of his composition based on “Honneur à Toi.” The original composition was commissioned for the Saint Mary’s Concert Band to serve as the processional for Brother William’s inauguration in 2008.
“Honneur à Toi” (Honor to You), first published in 1889, is the hymn traditionally sung by De La Salle Christian Brothers and others to honor Saint John Baptist de La Salle on celebratory occasions. It was one of two hymns composed to mark the beatification of John Baptist de La Salle in 1888.
The Saint Mary’s Concert Band and Director Dr. Janet Heukeshoven will present Brother William with a copy of the music signed by all ensemble members in gratitude for his support over the past 10 years.
For more information, contact Eric Heukeshoven at 507-457-7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.
Photo caption: Saint Mary’s Concert Band members sign a copy of “Honneur à Toi” for Brother William’s final commencement, from left: Sam French, Lucas Campbell, Jenna Phelps, Gabby Reinartz, Tiffany Alequin, Stephanie Schmidt, Max Heukeshoven, Shannon Rinehart, Dan Nolte, and Cameron Taylor.
Saint Mary’s breaks ground on new baseball clubhouse
It was a game-changing move.
Saint Mary’s University broke ground May 1 on a new $704,000 baseball clubhouse, and excitement was in full swing.
Assistant athletic director and Cardinal head baseball coach Nick Winecke ’07 told the audience, “Having a facility that sets us apart from the competition will help us with recruitment, and it will also help us ultimately on the playing field. Our athletes will be able to use this facility year-round to study in, to learn from each other in, and to further bond as a team off the field.”
The project was made possible through the generosity of a lead gift from Marc Weisenburger ’75, and more than 50 other young alumni have stepped up to bat to join Weisenburger in this dream by sponsoring lockers at $2,000 or more.
Winecke said that the clubhouse, which will be referred to as Pudge’s Place — in recognition of Weisenburger’s nickname during his playing days — is proof of what a university can accomplish when groups of thankful and generous benefactors give back to their alma mater in thanks for the experiences they received as athletes.
“It’s very affirming and heartwarming to see our alumni athletes paying it forward to future Cardinals,” Winecke said. “I believe the bonds that are formed here last throughout a lifetime. There’s also a sense that our alumni athletes shared an experience they’d like to see future athletes also experience.”
The 2,500-square-foot facility will include:
- a locker room with 46 locker stalls
- a players’ lounge with spaces for athletes to study, have team meetings, and enjoy quiet time
- big screen TVs, a ping pong table and gaming area
- a coaches’ space
- bathrooms and a shower facility
- a laundry facility and storage
Weisenburger said he was inspired by the generosity shown by Saint Mary’s alumni and friends while building the Science and Learning Center.
“I wondered what people could accomplish when they could join together for a cause they believe in … something near and dear to my heart, the baseball program at Saint Mary’s and (legendary coach) Max Molock,” he said.
“Max Molock trained athletes to compete in baseball and we had a modicum of success, but most importantly he trained us how to be better as people and leaders,” he added.
Winecke said that when Weisenburger, who has supported the baseball program at Saint Mary’s for 10 years, started talking about his dreams for the clubhouse, he knew he wanted to create something that would help the Cardinal baseball team develop as players, more importantly develop strong leaders.
“You can’t expect to be great at something without putting in the work,
Weisenburger said. “That’s how I have attempted to live my life and that’s what I’ve learned from game of baseball and from Max. He coached for 42 seasons before retiring in 1983. And I believe this same life mentoring approach and coaching style is has been adapted by Nick Winecke more than 30 years later.
“It is time for our baseball facilities to match the amazing things happening in Saint Mary’s athletics,” Weisenburger said. “I felt that my fellow alumni and others would join in helping Saint Mary’s differentiate its program from the competition.”
Brother William told attendees, “Today is about a space, but it’s much more about what’s going to be possible in that space. It’s not just about young men wanting to play ball but knowing what it means to belong to a team and to each other. Team, remember all the people who believe in you. And in a few years, be as willing to dream as Marc is. Reach out across the generations to help them achieve their dreams. It seems to me that is the dream of a Lasallian institution. That’s the dream of Saint Mary’s. It’s not about me; it’s about us.”
Breaking ground were:
- Marc Weisenburger ’75, lead benefactor on this project
- Nick Winecke ’07, assistant athletic director, head baseball coach
- Nikki Fennern, athletic director
- Brother William Mann, president, Saint Mary’s University
- Jake Mencacci ’18, Cardinal baseball team
- Joe Seegers ’18, Cardinal baseball team
- Willy Dickenson, vice president, Schwab LLC Construction Services
- Owen Warneke, lead architect, OWA Architects
The Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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