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Winona Campus Newsletter
MCA to hold Fall Open House Aug. 24
WINONA, Minn. — As summer winds down, the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) invites the public to attend its Fall Open House on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St.
The open house will feature a full schedule of events:
- 10 a.m. to noon — Meet MCA faculty, tour the new class piano lab, get fitted for shoes, register for classes, play an 8-foot floor piano, join the coloring contest, stroll through Galleria Valencia’s Watercolor Exhibit, win prizes, and enjoy treats.
- 10:30 to 11 a.m. — New Class Free Trial: Dance Adventures for ages 4-6 (free, but pre-registration is recommended).
- 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. — What to Expect in Ballet I Class: Parents and children ages 7 and up are invited to enjoy this demo and participation class to help those new to ballet know what to expect (free, but pre-registration is recommended).
- 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. — Newly Restructured Class Free Trial: Boys Sampler for boys ages 7-12 (free, but pre-registration is recommended).
The open house is an excellent opportunity for parents and students to meet instructors and administration, ask questions, tour the facility, and register for classes. Families will have the opportunity to win MCA swag and various prizes from local businesses.
Register online at mca.smumn.edu or in-person at MCA for the free open house classes and for fall classes.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theater. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia, visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Photo caption: Mollie Kieffer practices ballet.
Student success with X Games continues
Saint Mary’s junior Isabel Bettag (second from left) won the Overall #IMPACT Award at the 2019 Summer X Games. This was Bettag’s second year participating in the X Games Student Work Program. She joined five other Saint Mary’s students in the experience Aug. 1-4 in Minneapolis. Bettag said her favorite part was interacting with the kids at the Marvel Ninja Course, where she was the lead worker. X Games Event Development #IMPACT Awards are overall awards based upon the workers’ performance levels throughout the week. An Overall #IMPACT Award, as well as Daily #IMPACT Awards, are conferred. This is the second year in a row a Saint Mary’s student won the Overall #IMPACT Award. Last year Heidi Ledermann ’19 received the honor.
Check out how our students are benefitting from working with X Games:
MCA to hold Main reACTion Troupe 2019-20 school year auditions
WINONA, Minn. — Ready to take your improv skills to the next level? If so, Main reACTion is for you!
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is seeking creative quick thinkers to form the Main reACTion Improv Troupe for the 2019-20 school year. Main reACTion’s school year troupe will perform at one or two locations and events per month. Performances will take place during the second annual Shutdown Third Street, the November Second Saturday at the MN Marine Art Museum, and more. Auditions will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 6-8 p.m. in the Academy Theatre at MCA’s home, the Valencia Arts Center (1164 W. 10th Street).
During auditions, actors and actresses can expect to participate in a variety of improv games. Those auditioning should also bring a calendar with any vacation, known school year activities, or end of summer activities to note conflicts on the audition form. Ten to 15 troupe members will be selected based on their ability to think on their stage presence, variety of ideas, ability to think on their feet and make quick decisions, and ability to work with others. There is no fee to audition, but troupe members will be asked to pay $110 to participate for Aug. 2019 through May 2020, which covers all instruction for monthly rehearsals and a T-shirt.
Main ReACTion was established in June 2019 as part of Artists on Main Street, a partnership between Winona Main Street, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, and Springboard for the Arts, with support from the Bush Foundation. Thanks to the interest and success of the troupe, it will continue to provide a creative outlet to area youth and entertain community members of all ages.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theater. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia, visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Making a difference is the Lasallian tradition
They admit that celebrating Bastille Day in Paris with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower was pretty spectacular.
But for Patrick Laughlin ’20 and Crystal Chavez ’21 a more meaningful highlight of attending the Lasallian Leadership Summer Program this past July in France was learning what it means to be Lasallian — and feeling empowered to make a difference.
Inspired by Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers and the patron saint of educators, Laughlin and Chavez were motivated to truly change the world, just as he did over 300 years ago.
“One of the key phrases we heard was ‘together by association’,” Laughlin said. “We can each make our own little corners of the world a better place, and together we can have a widespread effect on a global scale.”
Chavez and Laughlin said they felt empowered after learning that Saint Mary’s is part of a much bigger Lasallian network, and enjoyed meeting other students from Lasallian schools from throughout the world.
“I didn’t realize how deep the roots were and how widespread the Lasallian community is,” Laughlin said. “I didn’t realize the impact and influence the community has globally.”
Chavez said her hope is that moving forward there can be more interactions between these schools to help the Lasallian identity grow even stronger.
The event is sponsored annually by the International Association for Lasallian Universities. On the 300th anniversary year of De La Salle’s death, this year’s leadership program, held July 7-20, brought under 100 Lasallian students together to learn of this revolutionary teacher, the sacrifices he made, and his vision to educate the poor. Chavez and Laughlin literally walked in the footsteps of the educational pioneer.
Chavez, an elementary education major with a Spanish endorsement, was particularly moved by de La Salle’s work to ensure education was accessible to all, not just the rich and elite. “Education is something all students should have,” she said. “It’s difficult for me to think of a world where that isn’t possible.”
How do they now define being Lasallian?
For Chavez, it’s about finding ways to make things better. “It’s about doing something instead of just talking about it,” she said. “It’s about being more aware of what’s going on in your community and acting to help. It’s also about seeing community everywhere, not just where you live or where you’re from.”
For Laughlin, triple majoring in entrepreneurship, business analytics, and finance, it’s about three words: awareness, relationships, and action.
“I would say being Lasallian is about having an awareness of other people’s needs and perspectives and taking action,” he said. “Being lasallian is about putting yourself in other people’s shoes, and being a transformational leader through relationships. (De La Salle) gave up everything. He had a good life, an important position. He didn’t need to sell everything and become one with the poor but he did. He was able to make a difference.”
As the incoming president of student senate, Laughlin plans to carry the idea of being aware of others forward. “I want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard,” he said. “All different perspectives need to be heard when we’re making decisions.”
Saint Mary’s to participate in Phillips West Neighborhood National Night Out
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — As a proud partner in the Phillips West Neighborhood, Saint Mary’s University is helping to sponsor the neighborhood’s 23rd annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. The free event will take place at the American Swedish Institute parking lot at 2600 Park Ave. and on 27th Street from Park to Oakland Ave.
The event features:
- Free food
- Clowns, familiar characters, and mascots (including the Saint Mary’s Cardinal mascot, Big Red)
- A bounce house and giant inflatable slide
- Face tattoos
- MN Adult & Teen Challenge choir
- Rene Studio salsa dancers
- Mi Tierra Mariachi band
- Balloon animals
- Minneapolis Mad Dads rap and dance contest (including gift card prizes for the top three winners)
- Information tables with community resources and free giveaways (stop by to see Saint Mary’s faculty and staff)
- And more!
National Night Out is an annual event that encourages residents to hold block parties and get to know their neighbors as a way to build community and encourage crime prevention. It’s also a way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family.
As part of its mission, Saint Mary’s is committed to serving diverse populations and fostering relationships that promote community change and improvement. Saint Mary’s has been offering graduate and professional programs from its Twin Cities Campus in Minneapolis since 1984.
Photo caption: Saint Mary’s mascot, Big Red the Cardinal, danced with Twin Cities community members at National Night Out last year.
CASE recognizes Saint Mary’s with Educational Fundraising Award
WINONA, Minn. — The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has announced the names of more than 100 U.S. educational institutions that are being recognized with 2019 Educational Fundraising Awards.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is one of 19 institutions which received “Sustained Excellence Awards” — awards which recognize institutions that have demonstrated consistent fundraising success over a five-year period. Institutions that have been recognized with an overall performance, overall improvement, or award for excellence in three out of the past five years also receive this award designation.
“These institutions have not only demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and best practice in their fundraising efforts, they have contributed to the betterment of educational advancement worldwide by serving as a model to which others can aspire,” said Sue Cunningham, CASE President and CEO.
Saint Mary’s has been recognized by CASE for the past four years. In 2016 and 2017, the university was recognized for “Overall Improvement.” In 2018, Saint Mary’s received both “Overall Performance” as well as “Sustained Excellence” honors.
For the full list, go to www.case.org/awards/2019/2019-educational-fundraising-award-winners-0.
MCA to hold Summer Dance Intensive Showcase
WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) invites the community to the 17th annual Summer Dance Intensive Showcase on Saturday, July 27, at 7 p.m. in the Page Theatre on the Saint Mary’s University Winona Campus. The showcase, which is free and open to the public, will feature a variety of dance forms, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre dance, and modern dance.
This year, the performance will feature 28 intermediate and advanced dancers ages 12 to 16 from throughout Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Each dancer was selected to attend the three-week dance intensive through auditions that were held in Minnesota and Wisconsin earlier this year. While in Winona, dancers spend 7-8 hours a day dancing or participating in dance-related classes. Dancers take ballet and pointe classes in addition to other genres, and also have the opportunity to take master classes in Hula, Irish, and Haitian dance; learn about costume design; and attend a Great River Shakespeare Festival performance.
The showcase will feature works choreographed and set by MCA instructors and visiting guest artists Christal Wagner of Milwaukee; Jessica Dienger of La Crosse, Wis.; Allan Kinzie of Dallas; Sharon Mansur of Winona; and Tammy Schmidt of La Crosse.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theater. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia, visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Photo caption: From left, Kaitlyn Shunemann, Carmelle Meyer, and Natalia Klinkski practice ballet during the Summer Dance Intensive.
Summer Jazz Jams continue
WINONA, Minn. — Rainy weather didn’t stop last month’s Jazz Jam from bringing a great crowd of performers and audience members together. But H3O Jazz Trio is hoping for better weather at their next Jazz Jam event on Sunday, July 21, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. so they can move to Island City Brewing Company’s beer garden just outside the taproom. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the Jazz Jam will be in its usual location inside the taproom.
Now in its second year, the Island City Jazz Jam is an open mic night for jazz. Whether you play an instrument or sing, the Jazz Jam is a chance for anyone to sit in with a professional rhythm section. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to perform some of their favorite jazz standards.
Interested jammers can choose from a wide selection of jazz tunes. Players can pick music from Hal Leonard’s Real Books, bring their own, or ask the trio if they can play their favorite. Simply sign up on the clipboard and get ready to jam.
Island City Jazz Jam happens on the third Sunday of each month. Visit H3OJazz.com for an updated schedule. The event is free and open to all ages. And if you’re not quite ready to sit in, come and enjoy a great evening of jazz.
Contact Emily Johnson at taproom@islandcitybrew.com for more information.
About the H3O Jazz Trio
The father and son jazz trio H3O began performing together when bassist Max Heukeshoven was only 14 years old. Along with older brother Hans on drums and vibes and dad Eric on the piano, the group was asked to play for a private pool party and haven’t stopped since!
A. Eric Heukeshoven is an assistant professor of music and director of Jazz Studies at Saint Mary’s University. Hans Heukeshoven is a 2014 graduate of Saint Mary’s with degrees in music performance and computer science and works as a software engineer. Max Heukeshoven is a 2019 graduate of Saint Mary’s with a degree in music industry and plans to attend law school.
H3O Jazz Trio performs a wide variety of jazz styles including original music. They have worked as the rhythm section for numerous area professionals including Minnesota Music Hall of Fame’s Les Fields and Dr. John Paulson. Recent appearances include Midwest Music Fest, Great River Shakespeare Festival, HBC25’s Artwork Winona, Free Family Concert Series, Winona County Historical Society, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winghaven Pizza Farm, Salem Glen Winery, Grace Presbyterian Church, Faith Lutheran Church, and numerous other venues. The trio hosts the monthly Jazz Jam at Island City Brewing Company in Winona on the third Sunday of every month from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
More information about the H3O Jazz Trio can be found at H3OJazz.com.
Photo caption: Great River Shakespeare Festival’s Rachel Lann sings “Skylark.”
Saint Mary’s invites businesses to October career fair
WINONA, Minn. — Is your company looking for great interns and employees? You’re invited to the sixth annual Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Career Fair Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Toner Student Center of Saint Mary’s.
Saint Mary’s students gain the advanced knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to be lifelong learners, successful workers, good neighbors, and ethical citizens — in other words, ideal candidates for employment at your company or enrollment at your school.
Come introduce your organization to these outstanding students and explore internship, job, and continuing education opportunities with them. Registration fees are $75 on or before July 31 or $95 beginning Aug. 1 and includes up to two lunches. Register online at smumn.edu/careerfairregistration.
For more information, contact Michael J. Hagarty at 507-457-6695 or mhagarty@smumn.edu.
Alumni and friends raise $500,000 to name auditorium after beloved professor
WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of a renowned scientist, beloved professor, gifted alumnus, and treasured friend, Saint Mary’s University dedicated the Dr. Phil A. Cochran ’77 Auditorium July 12 in its Science and Learning Center.
The impact of Dr. Cochran’s sudden death in 2015 left a tremendous void at Saint Mary’s, particularly in its Biology Department where he had taught for 15 years.
Dr. Cochran taught students to revere nature, and he did it with a quick wit and more than a few well-timed puns. He inspired many students throughout his career and frequently involved them in his extensive field research.
His talent and his reputation extended far beyond Saint Mary’s, as he published hundreds of articles on countless topics, presenting his findings throughout the United States and Canada. He also frequently invited renowned speakers to Saint Mary’s, which is why the lecture hall was chosen as the space to best carry his legacy forward to new generations of learners.
The dedication ceremony also recognized the many alumni, friends, and family who generously donated $500,000 for the naming opportunity — to ensure the Cochran legacy would live on at Saint Mary’s.
Photo caption: Father James P. Burns, president of Saint Mary’s, unveils the donor plaque for the Dr. Phil A. Cochran ’77 Auditorium with Phil’s widow, Michelle (Galles) Cochran ’79, M’05, C’07.
Saint Mary’s to host open house for adults interested in returning to school
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will host an open house information session Tuesday, July 16, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at its Rochester Campus, 2900 19th Street NW. The event, which is free and open to the public, is particularly for adults who want to learn more about the university’s many bachelor’s completion, graduate, and professional school program options.
All are invited to attend, especially individuals who are interested in pursuing a Saint Mary’s program offered in Rochester or online which includes a variety of bachelor’s completion and advanced-degree options.
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 507-285-1410, email mbigelow@smumn.edu, or visit smumn.edu/admission.
Building a future through X Games experiences
Alec Rudh ’21 has this advice: “You’ve got to show them that you want it.”
By continuing to network, Rudh has been able to further his social media work experience with the X Games.
His first taste with action sports events happened this past January, as the sport management and business analytics double major helped manage four social media platforms for the 2019 Winter X Games in Aspen. Back then, Rudh was one of 17 Saint Mary’s business students who were in the student work program — led by Saint Mary’s faculty member Assistant Professor Zakary Mayo.
As the launch of the inaugural Summer X Games China neared this summer, Rudh reached out to his former social media colleagues and asked if they needed help. They responded by giving him a to-do task, a deadline, and a paycheck.
In preparation for the event, Rudh worked remotely with the social media team. “For every single athlete in X Games China, I organized all their social media channels on a document spreadsheet in the same format as Aspen,” he said. “We worked on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts for each athlete. We had to sort and filter social media accounts to determine which were real and research what the athletes’ social media handles were and if they had changed from previous events.”
Rudh said he was given a completion date of May 28, but he purposefully organized the data ahead of schedule to impress them.
From July 31 to Aug. 4, Saint Mary’s will again send a team of student workers to X Games Minneapolis. Rudh will be with them, but he will be working an extra nine days.
“I’m going to the US Bank Stadium a week earlier than the rest of the X Games Student Work Program participants and staying after to work with the logistics team and help organize shipments and be a runner for them,” he said.
Although Rudh had originally never considered a career with X Games, he said working for ESPN had always been a dream of his. “All the people I’m working with are employed by ESPN,” he said. “And Zak Mayo reminded me that I can tell people I’m interviewing with that I’ve worked for X Games which is owned by ESPN. It’s giving me some chills that I still have two more years of college and there are more opportunities.
“I know X Games wants Saint Mary’s students to go to Shanghai, China next year, particularly some Chinese-speaking students,” he added. “I don’t speak Chinese but it’s my goal to try to pick up a bit. It might be a stretch, but I’m going to make it my free-time goal. They’ve also added an event in Calgary, Canada. I would love to go to one or both to work with the social media teams if there are openings.
Rudh said he’s learned so much being a part of these experiences, and he’s excited to be doing analytics for the next two years as part of an internship with Saint Mary’s Sports Information director. “I want to stick with analytics side but social media is also an option,” he said. “Next summer, I’m going to try to intern with a major league sports team. I hope to have had four internships by the time next summer rolls around.”
Highlighting student achievements and important events around campus
Summer at the Winona Campus is filled with different activities and energy, as we host a variety of camps and workshops, community events, and our alumni reunion weekend. This is also a time to freshen up the campus and facilities before we welcome students back in the fall. Still, I reflect on the spring semester and am reminded why we’re really here: to prepare graduates who have the knowledge, skills, and critical-thinking abilities necessary to be lifelong learners, successful workers, good neighbors, and virtuous, ethical citizens. Please enjoy this newsletter, as it contains updates about our university and provides details of the ways our students are making the most of their college years.
— Father James P. Burns, IVD (Summer 2019)
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