Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes
Winona Campus Newsletter‘President’s Update’ newsletter to be transformed
In support of a strategic planning and key initiatives process, the university is undergoing several changes, including some that were announced last week. As we review areas of the university and seek strategic realignment and operational effectiveness, we are also reviewing the ways in which we communicate news internally. As part of these changes, we have decided to discontinue publishing the current form of the “President’s Update” newsletter.
The “President’s Update” began under the direction of Brother William Mann, FSC, president emeritus. It was created as an effort to enhance communication at the university level announcing important events, strategic initiatives, and other news. The messages have been used to highlight ways we advanced agendas for the university in alignment with priority planning. The President’s Office and the Advancement and Communication Office are assessing communication efforts and establishing how we can best keep the university, our community, and our partners informed. We will be creating what we believe will be an even better and more enhanced universitywide update system which will include pertinent information from across the academy, not just from the president.
As we work together in the coming months to shape the future of Saint Mary’s, we will continue to send updates, especially about the strategic planning process, while also sharing important university news as is helpful in other ways. Again, I’m grateful for your continued and thoughtful collaboration and your ongoing commitment to our shared mission.
Saint Mary’s University faculty member named a Wiley Education Services Fellow
WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota faculty member Michael Ratajczyk has been named to the Wiley Education Services Fellows Program and will collaborate on an artificial intelligence (AI) project, which is aimed at enhancing student engagement.
Using artificial intelligence, Ratajczyk — assistant professor of Business at the undergraduate College in Winona and program director for the university’s M.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics program — plans to create a type of online chat box, where a student can ask questions 24 hours a day. The AI will be programmed to ask appropriate follow-up questions and then provide resources to best address the question.
“With our online M.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics courses, it’s an eight-week environment where we don’t work with students face to face, and the content is very hands on, which can be challenging,” Ratajczyk said. “Additionally, because many of our adult students have day jobs, they may be completing assignments outside of regular office hours. The AI will be a resource to address that. Our goal is to get students the information they need without having to wait until their teacher logs in. It’s about getting them the information they need, when it is needed, instead of delaying their progress. Ultimately, it’s all about student-centered learning.”
Wiley Education Services Fellows are a small, select group of distinguished faculty, program directors, or administrators from the network of Wiley partner schools. The program aims to honor educators and advance their innovative work via collaboration with one another and Wiley.
The program officially began on Nov. 14, and the project’s duration is expected to last about a year.
Saint Mary’s Page Theatre invites children to audition for ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’
WINONA, Minn. — Children ages 7-12 who are under five feet tall are invited to audition for the upcoming Page Series production of ODC/Dance’s “The Velveteen Rabbit.” Auditions will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Valéncia Arts Center at 1164 W. Howard St.
ODC/Dance brings to life Margery Williams’ classic tale of a well-worn nursery rabbit that becomes real. Told through music, dance, and a powerful narrative, “The Velveteen Rabbit” celebrates the unique relationship between a little boy and his stuffed rabbit and the enduring power of love. “The Velveteen Rabbit,” a narrated production set to selections by Benjamin Britten, is brimming with wit, festive costumes, and madcap characters.
Dancers wishing to audition should be capable of remembering choreography and dancing in unison. Rehearsals for this 70-minute professional production will take place throughout January; selected dancers will be expected to attend all rehearsals. Performances will be Sunday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. (school matinee).
Visit pagetheatre.org for more information about the production or to preregister your child. Watch this video to get a sneak peek of “The Velveteen Rabbit.”
Presentation of “The Velveteen Rabbit” is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Crane Group.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
2nd annual Cardinal Fest is Saturday, Nov. 17
All Saint Mary’s University students, faculty and staff, alumni, and their families are invited to take part in the 2nd annual Cardinal Fest celebration on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Gostomski Fieldhouse. Join in on the fun, food, games, and giveaways.
Cardinal Fest is a collaborative effort between the Office of Student Activities, Alumni Relations, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Student Activities Committee, Future Alumni Committee, Chartwells, Maintenance Department, WinCraft, and HBC created to bring the entire campus community together to celebrate the upcoming end to the fall semester. Last year more than 500 members of the Saint Mary’s community came out and enjoyed the event!
You can expect:
- ENTERTAINMENT — A variety of inflatables (Dodgeball Defender, a Bootcamp Challenge obstacle course, the Titanic Slide, and Boulder Dash) will be available. Challenge yourself or your friends! A dunk tank will give you a chance to drop some of your favorite faculty and staff members.
- A CARNIVAL AND RAFFLE — Teams, clubs, departments, and offices on campus will host Minute-to-Win-It-style carnival games. Winners of these games will be entered into a raffle for prizes (including one grand prize to be given at the event). Don’t worry if you don’t win right away, you’ll still get candy just for playing!
- GIVEAWAYS — 500 custom Saint Mary’s scarves will be given away throughout Cardinal Fest.
- FOOD — A carnival-themed lunch will be offered. This will be the only spot on campus food will be served at this time.
You’re invited to Island City and H3O November Jazz Jam
A record number of folks made October’s Jazz Jam at Island City Brewing Company the place to be. Isn’t it time for you to join the H3O Jazz Trio on Sunday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Island City Brewing Company’s for this month’s Jazz Jam!?
Think of the Jazz Jam as open mic night … for jazz! Whether you play an instrument or sing, the Jazz Jam is your chance 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, bring their own, or ask the trio if they can play your favorite. Simply sign up on the clipboard and get ready to jam.
Island City Jazz Jams happen on the third Sunday of each month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the tap room.
At the final Jazz Jam of 2018 on Sunday, Dec. 16, three groups from Jazz at Saint Mary’s will join the jam as they celebrate the end of a great semester with their Jazz Final.
Island City Jazz Jam is free and open to everyone — young and not so young. And if you’re not quite ready to sit in, come and enjoy a great evening of jazz.
For more information, please contact Ashley Haig, Island City Events Coordinator at 507-961-9743 or events@islandcitybrew.com.
About the H3O Jazz Trio
The father and son trio H3O began performing great jazz tunes 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 third director of Jazz Studies at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Hans Heukeshoven is a 2015 graduate of Saint Mary’s with degrees in music performance and computer science and works as a software engineer. Max Heukeshoven is completing a degree in music industry at Saint Mary’s and plans to attend law school in 2019.
H3O 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, Free Family Concert Series, and more. The trio hosts a monthly Jazz Jam at Island City Brewing Company in Winona on the third Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
More information about the H3O Jazz trio can be found at H3OJazz.com.
Photo caption: Debbie Blissenbach and Julia Kirk sing about their “Favorite Things” at the October Jazz Jam.
Join the Entrepreneurial Student Showcase event
Join the Kabara Institute and the Walleye Tank for the second annual Entrepreneurial Student Showcase happening Thursday, Nov. 29, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Cascade Meadow facility in Rochester.
This event is designed to allow students to share their ideas with the public and refine their presentations. It is the perfect follow up for teams who participated in the elevator pitch competition or for science students who might want to engage with the Mayo Clinic and get their name out there.
All teams at the showcase will participate in an educational “science fair like” event to demo their product or service to the gathered community of entrepreneurs, community members, and educators, with the chance to win prizes. This is a great way to get feedback on your idea and to refine your value proposition.
To register, contact Dr. Christine Beech at cbeech@smumn.edu.
Additions to Saint Thomas More Chapel
In the coming days, visitors to Saint Thomas More Chapel will begin to notice some changes in artwork placement.
There are two pictures, one of the Holy Family and one of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which will be moved to more visible spaces on the walls.
In addition, statues of Mary and Joseph, the Infant of Prague, Our Lady of Fatima, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, will be placed in locations accessible to people for prayer and reflection. In the Catholic faith, statues are reminders of the work of God in the History of Salvation through Mary and Jesus and the great commitment and perseverance of the Community of Saints.
We hope these places of prayer will be appealing to members of the Saint Mary’s University community as spaces to contemplate the great traditions of our faith and as a means of encounter through prayer as we face the daily challenges and joys.
Fastenal hosts Public Relations/Business Club
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Public Relations/Business Club students enjoyed a tour and “meet the managers” session at Fastenal headquarters in Winona on Nov. 7. Students met with eight senior and middle managers to learn more about the Fastenal business operations and to explore internship and co-op education opportunities. Students engaged in networking with the Fastenal professionals and took a tour of the distribution hub.
Students included Courtney Moser, Mary Loy, Isabella (Bella) Nuck, Lyanna Novak, Carolyn (Carol) Chrastka, Hannah Crowe, Jerry Goodwin, Casey Hanson, Morgan Prokosch, and Jack Knoblauch. Business faculty coordinators were Professors Matthew Klosky and Shelly McCallum-Ferguson. The event was part of the PR/Business Club activities.
Photo caption: From left, Jerry Goodwin, Lyanna Novak, Matthew Klosky (faculty), Bella Nuck, Morgan Prokosch, Carol Chrastka, Hannah Crowe, Courtney Moser, Craig Davis (Fastenal), Mary Loy, Jack Knoblauch, and Casey Hanson.
Students present research at Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium
Students majoring in biology, environmental biology, and psychology presented their undergraduate research at the Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium, sponsored by Viterbo University on Nov. 9.
Ben Borash, Cole Van Houten, Erin Hettinger, Abbigail Propsom, and Austin Kleman gave oral presentations on the results of their summer internship experiences or their senior research projects. Joshua Balsiger, Michele Remer, and Mark Leonard presented posters of their work resulting from summer internships and an independent study. Kleman won an award for best oral presentation in the social sciences. Balsiger and Remer won a “People’s Choice” best poster award.
Photo caption: Environmental biology majors Cole Van Houten and Erin Hettinger present their summer research on invasive wild parsnip at Saint Mary’s Cascade Meadow facility in Rochester.
Saint Mary’s dedicates Studio ‘S’
On Nov. 9, Saint Mary’s University dedicated its new recording space, Studio ‘S’ — named for Bob Scurio ’57, a longtime benefactor and supporter of Saint Mary’s Music Department.
The studio, located in the lower level of Saint Yon’s Hall, engages students through an active learning environment, filled with state-of-the art digital tools for audio production and sound creation.
Throughout his life, Scurio supported his alma mater, and in his death, he made sure his love of music would live on in future student musicians.
Scurio’s memories of touring and making big band music with the Marinotes — back in the 1950s — were some of the happiest memories of his life. Scurio founded the group, which played big band music, and he often reflected back to the days when he and other Saint Mary’s musicians would pack their music gear into a modified hearse and hit the road, having fun and making memories with every mile.
Once a former movie theatre and a projector room (and most recently a storage area), the space has been completely transformed to a performance area and recording studio, complete with three (soon four) work stations. Scurio’s legacy — and his lifelong love of music — will live on in the students who are eagerly using this new facility.
See more photos from the dedication.
Photo caption: Bob Scurio’s son, Paul, center, met his father’s classmates and friends, Dan Drury ’58, left, and Elmer Pierre ’58, right, at the dedication of Studio ‘S’.
Saint Mary’s Music Industry program participates in STEAM Summit
Saint Mary’s Music Industry program was featured in the 11th annual STEAM Summit in Rochester on Nov. 13. The STEAM Summit encourages middle and high school students to pursue science, technology, engineering, art, and math careers by connecting them to business and higher educational institutions which offer STEAM courses in a highly interactive, hands-on format.
Saint Mary’s had a booth showcasing our Music Industry program. The booth featured an interactive activity called “In the Loop” — an electronic music composition built out of audio samples collected throughout the day. Musical talent is not required to participate, although the project was originally designed for music education conferences and music department recruitment. The project highlights some of the technology taught in the Music Industry program, including Ableton Live and the digital audio. Examples of the project can be found on the Saint Mary’s Music Department SoundCloud page.
Read the KTTC story, which features a photo of the “In the Loop” technology.
Photo caption: A. Eric Heukeshoven, assistant professor of Music, interacts with participants using the “In the Loop” technology at the Music Industry program booth during an event this past spring.
Accounting Information Systems (AIS) students present at Fastenal
On Nov. 13, students in Professor Jackson’s Accounting Information Systems class traveled to Fastenal headquarters to present their process documentation projects to Fastenal’s accounting management at corporate headquarters. The month-long project had the students working directly with management and accounting personnel at Fastenal to understand, document, dissect and flowchart three disparate processes in key areas of the Fastenal business. Students completed the project by presenting their findings to Fastenal accounting management and additional staff.
Photo caption: Taliya Harris presents at Fastenal headquarters.
Senior class gathering is Dec. 4
The Offices of Student Life and Academic Affairs cordially invite seniors to attend the Senior Class Gathering, which will be held 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the Toner Student Center lounge. This is a special evening to honor all senior students, with special recognition for mid-year graduates of the college. Appetizers and beverages will be served. Attire is business casual.
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