Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes
Winona Campus NewsletterAlumnus to speak at Veterans Day program
Dr. John Forrette ’74 will return to campus to speak at the annual Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, at the Veterans Memorial. Dr. Forrette retired as a colonel after a 30-year career in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served in many roles during that time with final position as commanding officer, 4226th US Army Hospital, and also of the Command Inspection Program, 330th Medical Brigade. The Eagle Battalion ROTC Color Guard will present and retire the colors for the ceremony. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community. The rain location will be the McEnery Center.
Pitch your idea for a chance to win
Have an idea? Ready to pitch? Want to earn $250 for 90 seconds?
The Elevator Pitch Competition will take place Monday, Nov. 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Hall Room 115. Sign up today!
First prize is $250
Second prize is $200
Third prize is $150
Sign up for a time slot by submitting 1) your name and 2) the title of the pitch to kabarainstitute@smumn.edu.
Questions? Contact Dr. Christine Beech at cbeech@smumn.edu.
Celebrate International Education Week
All students, faculty, and staff are invited to celebrate International Education Week with these events happening Nov. 12-16.
International Education Week (IEW) Trivia Contest
This trivia game tests your knowledge regarding the history, politics, geography, culture, and traditions of other countries. Beginning Monday, Nov. 12, running through Friday, Nov. 16, answer three questions daily to win a chance at a $30, $20, or $10 gift card from Cardinal Coffee. There will be a student-only category and a faculty/staff category, and whoever answers the most questions correctly will win. Winners will be announced on Friday, Nov. 16, at the African Art sale at 3:30 p.m. and later by email. You need not be present to win. We request that you do not use the internet to search for the answers. Good luck!
MONDAY, NOV. 12
Taste the World Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Toner Center Café
Come and enjoy a variety of foods from our international students’ native countries.
China – Sponsored by Chartwells.
Chinese Dumpling Food Demonstration
3:30 p.m.
International Center, the Heights
Ruoyu Fan (Jack) and Muhan Zhang will demonstrate how to make Chinese dumplings. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot by emailing intlcenter@smumn.edu.
TUESDAY, NOV. 13
Taste the World Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Toner Center Café
Poland – Polish pierogi bar
International Tea & Coffee Time
4 to 5 p.m.
International Center, the Heights
Take a moment out of your day to enjoy Mexican hot chocolate, Vietnamese coffee, and Chinese tea.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14
Taste the World Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Toner Center Café
Thailand – Thai squash curry
Japanese – Japanese furikake salmon
Karaoke and Piñata “Bash”
4 to 5:30 p.m.
International Center, the Heights
Come sing and enjoy music from various countries, and break a Piñata for fun. Refreshments will be served.
THURSDAY, NOV. 15
Taste the World Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Toner Center Café
Mexican – Mexican cuisine at every station. Tacos, nachos, and fajitas.
International Dance Lessons
4 to 5 p.m.
International Center, the Heights
Enjoy dance lessons given by ICAA (Inter-Cultural Awareness Association), including Merengue, Bachata, and Quebraditas dances. Chips and salsa provided!
FRIDAY, NOV. 16
Taste the World Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Toner Center Café
Cameroon – Hot pot potatoes (stew)
A Tribute to Africa!
2 to 4:30 p.m.
International Center, the Heights
Come and enjoy cake and African-themed appetizers as you shop the African Art Sale. Various batiques, jewelry, and African cloth will be available to purchase by cash or check only.
3 p.m.
Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, Biology Department, will speak about her travels to Nairobi, Kenya, during summer 2018.
3:30 p.m.
Announcement of trivia winners.
International Education Week is presented by the International Center, the Heights. Contact Vicki McDonald at vmcdonal@smumn.edu for more information.
Lasallian lectures happening next week
You’re invited to attend these Lasallian lectures next week.
Lasallian Education for Sustainable Development
Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the Science and Learning Center
Presented by: Peter Stemp and Brother Téfio Raoul Traoré, FSC, both associate directors for De La Salle Solidarietà Internazionale – ONLUS, Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Rome, Italy
As Lasallians, we can work together on an international level to respond to those most in need while enriching the educational experience of those we serve in our schools and ministries.
In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 goals — the Sustainable Development Goals — with three aims: to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. As Lasallians, we are called to be brothers and sisters to one another, therefore citizens of the world (Lasallian Reflection 3, “Lasallians Without Limits”). The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools has worked toward these goals since its inception, and as such, has always worked to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Learn more about how the international Lasallian network works toward sustainability and care for the environment.
The Heroic Vow: Commitment and Perseverance in the Lasallian Tradition
Wednesday, Nov. 14, at noon in Room 9 of the Toner Student Center (Pizza will be provided for lunch.)
Presented by Greg Kopra, mission director for Christian Brothers District of San Francisco New Orleans
This talk will focus on the long history of commitment and perseverance of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Lasallian network. More importantly, however, it will tie this tradition to the commitment and perseverance needed to be successful — as a student new to college or students continuing on the journey — that requires sacrifice and hard work. This lecture will be interesting and useful for students of all years and students who find themselves busy and always working toward ways to balance priorities and commitments.
Dr. Greg Kopra has worked in the District Office of Education since 1999. His primary responsibility is coordinating and facilitating adult formation programs in Lasallian ministries in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Prior to this, he worked for 18 years in Catholic secondary schools in Portland, Ore., and Spokane, Wash., as teacher, counselor, campus minister, and assistant principal. From 1991-1999, he served as a teacher, counselor, and administrator at La Salle Catholic College Preparatory in Milwaukie, Ore.
Admission update for Nov. 1, 2018
November is traditionally when we begin providing enrollment data that is shared with other Minnesota private colleges, so we are also sharing results with everyone on campus to keep you informed. The next six weeks may be the busiest time in the recruitment cycle given that we have recruitment events planned to target various audiences. Here are the upcoming events and the number of people attending:
- Fall Foliage – Nov. 9
10 students, 27 total - Chicago Open House – Nov. 12
8 students, 20 total - Admitted Student Day – Nov. 16
10 students, 19 total - Fall Foliage – Nov. 30
6 students, 14 total - Decision Day – Dec. 1
2 students, 3 total - Admitted Student Day – Dec. 7
5 students, 9 total
Your efforts of allowing students to attend a class, directing a student to their location, or simply letting them know how pleased you are to see them visiting campus will be greatly appreciated and assist in enhancing our recruitment efforts.
Nov. 15 is the Early Action deadline, the next meaningful application milestone in the recruitment cycle. We will review and determine acceptance for these students by Dec. 1.
— Daniel Meyer, vice president for enrollment
New nationwide GSS projects benefit Saint Mary’s University students
WINONA, Minn. — With the acquisition of several new projects, Saint Mary’s University’s GeoSpatial Services (GSS) is increasing invaluable student internship experiences while helping nationwide organizations make far-reaching ecological decisions.
For example, in the largest single contract ever awarded to them ($1.7 million over four years), GSS will work with the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on completing a wetland and riparian inventory for BLM-administered lands in the western United States and Alaska. The project will keep GSS staff and up to 30 student interns busy for several years.
GSS staff is uniquely qualified for such an effort, as they have completed more than 100 mapping projects for federal, state, and tribal agencies over the past 15 years, focusing on the landscape level inventory of wetland and riparian ecosystems. Once complete, this inventory will provide data and information that informs decisions related to habitat condition for threatened and endangered wildlife, compliance with state water quality standards, and the maintenance of ecological processes that sustain healthy animal populations and human communities.
Angela Soto ’19, an Environmental Biology and Spanish major from St. Paul, who has interned with GSS, said knowing her work will be used for habitat management purposes has been very gratifying. “Learning the applications of my work has been the most rewarding aspect for me,” she said.
“My work in the Cook Inlet and Kuskokwim River basins for the Alaska Streams program has provided me with opportunities to familiarize myself with water flow patterns, contour lines, and basic Geographic Information System (GIS) functions and tools,” she added. “I was able to apply my knowledge of GIS at my summer job as a conservation apprentice at the Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District. I am constantly amazed at the growing number of applications of GIS and the implications it holds for knowing more about our planet and how we can best manage it so that it can be accessible for generations to come.”
Andy Robertson, executive director of GSS, said that in the past 10 years, more than 200 students have worked at GSS while attending Saint Mary’s and have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of disciplines.
“GeoSpatial Services enjoys a nationwide reputation for the development and communication of geographic data for natural resource management,” he said. “As a result of more than 150 successful projects for the federal government, state agencies, and private companies, GSS has become one of the national leaders in the provision of baseline scientific data for the monitoring our changing climate. Geographic data produced by our students and professional staff are playing an important role in identifying changes and trends in our nation’s natural resources, particularly wetlands.”
Other new GSS projects include agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for wetland mapping in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and in a seven-county area of Northeast North Dakota. With six unique eco-zones that span approximately 200 miles from north to south, ANWR provides a perfect opportunity for the testing, refinement, and implementation of new, fine-scale wetland inventory and surface hydrography mapping protocols developed through previous cooperative agreements between the USFWS and GSS.
In addition to these new projects, GSS has received further funding to expand current wetland mapping work in New Mexico and in two western Alaska National Wildlife Refuges.
About GSS
GSS is a project center within Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota that integrates professional services and academic apprenticeships in the areas of natural resource assessment, geographic analysis, and contemporary mapping. This integration employs the technical and problem-solving skills of its full-time staff and fosters practical work experience and technical training for students. GSS is focused on meeting the needs of its partners with services including program development, data design and application, and data visualization. Find more information at geospatialservices.org.
Photo caption: Andy Robertson, executive director of GeoSpatial Services, is pictured with Kevin Stark, GeoSpatial Services assistant director, and Elizabeth Powers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Wetland coordinator.
Students and staff attend Kente Summit for Collegiate Black Men
Seven Saint Mary’s students and staff recently attended the Kente Summit at Macalester College in St. Paul on Nov. 2-3. Freshman Byron King, sophomores Shamauri Brown-Young and Raekwon Livingston, junior Aaron Kibirige, and senior Aldontae Guess attended the event, accompanied by staff members Octavia Brown, Countdown to College coordinator, and Naz Zerka, Wellness Center counselor.
Brown-Young described his experience at the Kente Summit as “mind blowing.”
The event brings together male, undergraduate students of African descent from colleges and universities in Minnesota for keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and community building. Discussions focused on issues and experiences related to identity, intersectionality, inclusion, and intentionality.
“Being able to talk to and meet other African American men who experience the same thing I experience on a campus where the majority look nothing like me showed me that I’m not alone,” Brown-Young said.
Many presenters were featured at the Kente Summit, including Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, host of BET News and a political contributor for CNN.
“It was so amazing to be surround by so many intelligent, charismatic, humorous, and strong collegiate black men. Their spirits were contagious,” said Brown. “It was powerful to hear their unique stories and watch them come together as black men and brothers from various walks of life. I left feeling inspired.”
Guess has attended the Kente Summit before. He said, “It has been an experience of revelation, bonding and brotherhood. It warms my heart my heart to know that there are still men of color out here in the masses working toward a positive future and toward making a difference in our world.”
Photo caption: Pictured are (back row, from left), Shamauri Brown-Young, student; Octavia Brown, Countdown to College coordinator; Aaron Kibirige, student; Naz Zerka, Wellness Center counselor; (front row, from left) students Byron King, Raekwon Livingston, and Aldontae Guess.
Saint Mary’s student selected for Principal Community Scholars Program
WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota junior Andrew Sandoz has been selected for the 2019 class of the Principal Community Scholars Program, a collaboration between Principal and Campus Compact that supports the leadership development of undergraduate students seeking a business or business-related degree.
Sandoz is one of 11 college students from Iowa and Minnesota who were selected after being nominated by faculty or staff.
The program is designed to encourage student leadership to meet community needs. Selected students will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Principal upon completion of a service project. This is the third year of the program, which has engaged nearly 50 students across the Midwest and in California.
Selected scholars will visit Principal and attend the Civic Action Academy Nov. 9-10 at Drake University. Their projects are designed to engage their peers and their institutions in ways that support economic sustainability.
Sandoz, a business intelligence and data analytics and finance double major from Appleton, Wis., will oversee the SMUMN Community Garden as his project with the aim of addressing food insecurity in the community.
Goals of Sandoz’s project include furthering the commitment to the local food pantry and assisting in the oversight of service learning in the university’s Lasallian Honors Program.
The Principal Community Scholars will have the opportunity to continue working with each other, Campus Compact staff, and their on-campus adviser throughout the semester as they complete their projects.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,000 colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. It is a network comprising a national office and 34 state and regional affiliates.
As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact enables campuses to develop students’ citizenship skills and forge effective community partnerships. Its resources support faculty and staff as they pursue community-based teaching and scholarship in the service of positive change.
Saint Mary’s alumna in the news
Check out the piece below by Regina Bettag ’18, a first-year Lasallian Volunteer serving at De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Mont.
Looking ahead at the ‘Campus Notes’ schedule
Look ahead on your calendars. Next Friday, Nov. 16, will be the last issue of Campus Notes before Thanksgiving break. Campus Notes will resume on Friday, Nov. 30. The submission deadline for each issue is the Wednesday prior. Submit stories at smumn.edu/submitcampusnotes.
![Entrepreneurs collaborate on startup business ideas [video]](https://newsroom.smumn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kabara-Startup-Wknd-1050x675.jpg)
Entrepreneurs collaborate on startup business ideas [video]
The task: go from an idea to a prototype — in just 54 hours.
Five Saint Mary’s students participated in the third-annual Rochester Startup Weekend event, held at Collider Coworking in Rochester.
The goal of the annual event is to gather a group of like-minded entrepreneurs, some college-aged, others already professionals in their fields, to collaborate on a startup business idea. The only thing they needed to bring was a willingness to take risks.
Stephany Beck ’21, a marketing and entrepreneurship double major from Oshkosh, Wis., wants to go into corporate marketing and entrepreneurship for a large company after graduating.
James Perreault ’20, a finance and entrepreneurship double major from Batvia, Ill., hopes one day to be a portfolio manager.
For both students, the opportunity to network, learn more about how to start their own businesses, and gain confidence in presenting — all made possible through the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies — was a valuable one.
Beck’s team decided to pitch bullet-resistant doors for hospitals and classrooms, an idea that originated with Jacob Taschetta ’19. “Because of the recent Pittsburgh shooting, it was a timely issue, and we were able to correlate the need,” Beck said. In the process her team thought through the product itself, addressed why it was needed, and tried to predict any problems that would arise.
“We talked about the situation of what can happen in the six minutes between when police are called and they arrive at the scene. We wanted to provide the barricade during those six minutes, and we wanted to market to different security systems,” Beck said.
Although she loved the entire exercise, Beck particularly likes the sales aspects of entrepreneurship. “I like to talk to people,” she said. Last year her team won the competition with a business idea related to farmer’s market delivery. This year, she said, it was more difficult to market something that is centered around an uncomfortable topic.
“This year I learned different ways to interview people about personal and difficult subjects and I learned you’re not always going to win with your idea, even if you feel super passionate about it. Everyone has very good ideas, and it’s great to learn from them as well,” Beck said. “Through events like this through Kabara, I get more experience in the field and it helps me further decide what I want to do in the future.”
Perrault was on this year’s winning team with a 2,000-year-old personality test card game called “What were you thinking?”
He described it as an educational and fun way for people to gain more empathy for others while learning about themselves in a fun setting.
“It was a heavy workload, but it was so much fun,” he said. “Right from the start, it really got us critically thinking what problem can we solve. As we progressed, it was really cool interacting with people who want to work as hard as I do. We decided what we wanted to do, did market research in Rochester, and tested the viability of the idea, and then all day Saturday we spent developing our vision for the product and creating a mockup. We were lucky enough to have the mentors help us put together a website.”
By advertising through social media, they even received 17 pre-orders on the game.
“First-place prize was $1,000 and we receive free rent at Collider and access to their network and printers,” Perreault said. “It’s allowing us an opportunity to grow this idea into something.”
Perreault said he believes anyone can be an entrepreneur. “You just have to have the confidence to go out and try new things. We just have to change our perception of what entrepreneurship is. It’s a matter of taking the first step.”
Being involved with the Kabara Institute, he said, is helping him develop “substantially.” “I’m getting so much experience in all sectors of business. he said. “Dr. Christine Beech really goes above and beyond to be sure all students are succeeding and engaged. Working with Kabara has not only improved my public speaking, it’s also improved me as a person and helped me tap into my drive to get things done.”
Theatre and Dance Department presents ‘Romeo and Juliet’ this weekend
The Saint Mary’s Theatre and Dance Department will present William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet this weekend in the Page Theatre:
- Friday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m.
Capulets, Montagues, and a love for the ages. Saint Mary’s Theatre and Dance Department takes on Shakespeare’s classic tale of two star-crossed lovers whose feuding families are united through their tragic deaths.
A question-and-answer session with the production’s dramaturg, director, designers, and company members will take place immediately following the Friday performance. Also participating will be special guest Dr. John Kerr, associate professor of English and resident Shakespeare scholar.
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Order online, in person, or by calling the box office at 507-457-1715 (noon to 6 p.m., weekdays). Saint Mary’s faculty and staff may receive two complimentary tickets to one performance. Please contact the box office directly to order. Student rush tickets may be available in the lobby beginning 20 minutes prior to each performance, subject to availability. (Limit one ticket per student, valid Saint Mary’s student ID required.)
Faculty and staff participate in Halloween costume contest
Thank you to all faculty and staff who came to the Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest on Wednesday. The event raised a total of $224.
The winners of the costume contest (pictured above) were the Business Office/Cardinal Central staff as “BRO (Budget Relief Officers)”. They will be donating their prize money to scholarships.
Development and Alumni Relations took second place as swimmers, jellyfish, and a well-dressed shark. Thank you to Chartwells for donating the water, to the Faculty and Staff Spirit Committee for bringing the food, and to Vlazny Hall staff for bringing desserts. Special thanks to the judges, Nick Winecke, Zak Mayo, and Rashika Webb.
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