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Winona Campus Newsletter
Jazz at Saint Mary’s presents ‘Tenor Madness’
Legendary tenor saxophonists Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane (Trane) only recorded together once, in 1956. But on Sunday, April 29, at 3 p.m. in the Page Theatre, Jazz at Saint Mary’s will recreate this historic pairing with two of the region’s top sax players.
Saint Mary’s professor emeritus John Paulson and Ray Dretske will join the Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo 1 for an afternoon of selections separately written and recorded by Rollins and Coltrane — including “Moment’s Notice,” “Giant Steps,” “Impressions,” “Doxy,” “Naima,” “Cousin Mary,” “Blue Train,” and “St. Thomas” — and their one joint recording, “Tenor Madness.”
For more information, contact Director of Jazz Studies Eric Heukeshoven at 507-457-7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Call the Saint Mary’s box office for tickets at 507-457-1715 or purchase online at pagetheatre.smumn.edu.
Photo caption: From left, Ray Dretske and John Paulson.
Saint Mary’s in the news
Finance and Commerce featured an article about the groundbreaking of Brother William Hall. Read the story online.
Student attends Pre-Synod gathering with Pope Francis
Sister Marie Faustina, RSM, who is currently majoring in elementary education K-6 at Saint Mary’s University, was one of only eight individuals selected to attend a Pre-Synod gathering March 19-24 in Rome with Pope Francis. Sister Marie was one of 300 young people from throughout the world who shared their voices with Pope Francis. She recounts this amazing experience below.
With 300 other young people — including people of other faiths — I had the honor of being a representative at the Pre-Synodal Meeting in Rome from March 19-24. The purpose of the meeting was to produce a document that would assist Pope Francis and his brother bishops when they convene in October for the Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. In producing the document, the representatives were encouraged to “express their view on the state of things, their ideas, their feelings and their recommendations.”
During the first full day, Pope Francis met with us for over three and half hours. During our time together, with the assistance of simultaneous translation, he spoke about the importance of listening to one another. He suggested that we take as our models Samuel and David from the Old Testament as both were young and eager to do the Lord’s Will. He also encouraged us to be courageous. He said that taking risks keeps us young, and if we do not take them we retire at age 20. Yet, in being courageous we also need prudence. After he shared his reflections, he heard testimonies and questions from around the world. His generosity and attentiveness were a true inspiration.
With his departure, our task began. Everyone was divided into a small language group consisting of about 15 people. As I recall, there were four Italian groups, four Spanish groups, four French groups, nine English groups, and four “virtual” groups for the young people participating online. In my small group I had people from: Japan, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Armenia, Romania, Australia, Pakistan, Canada, Indonesia, Ukraine, India, and Germany. The first day was devoted to examining the challenges and opportunities of young people in today’s world. We were given five questions to guide our discussion.
Each small group had to compose one document which would contribute to the final document as a synthesis of all the small group discussions. The discussions were incredibly enlightening and a testament to dialogue. The second part of the document was related to faith, vocational discernment, and accompaniment; and third part was aimed at the Church’s formative and pastoral activity. Everyone contributed and at times there were true connections. Other times our personal experiences and beliefs made it challenging to see connecting factors. Yet even among our differences the representatives tried their best to serve the Church during these meetings.
We met with our small groups throughout the day for the first half of the week. All participants would break for lunch and dinner. The meal times were extremely memorable. I had never before sat down at a dinner table with such diverse multicultural backgrounds! I found myself sitting at a dinner table with people from Switzerland, China, Italy, India, Poland, Peru, and more. It amazed me how many people spoke English. It was true experience of a worldview encounter.
Midway through the week, a writing committee composed of 14 young people began working to synthesize our small group documents. With simultaneous translation, we then met an additional three times as a large group. Suggestions and corrections were made before the committee composed the final document. The time ended together with a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s square in which he received the final document.
Throughout the week I was able to find seven other people from the United States. Of the eight of us, three were from a religious community, including Brother Javier Hansen, FSC. I saw it as a wonderful manifestation of God’s Providence! I look forward to a final document written by Pope Francis after the Synod in October.
Sister Marie Faustina with other representatives from the United States. Photo courtesy of the District of San Francisco New Orleans.
Featured image courtesy of Vatican News.
Saint Mary’s hosts closing reception for ‘Cedar Tree: DISTILLED’ on April 24
WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Performance Center will host a closing reception for Sharon Mansur’s visual installation, “Cedar Tree: DISTILLED,” Tuesday, April 24, at 6 p.m.
“Cedar Tree: DISTILLED” reflects key elements from “Dreaming Under a Cedar Tree,” a performance and visual installation project with Middle Eastern flavor, which premiered in fall 2017 at Outpost Winona. Created and performed by Winona-based dance/visual artist Sharon Mansur, this immersive event invited people to share dance, visual art, food, and conversation while reflecting on Mansur’s Lebanese heritage, the complex and fluid nature of cultural identity, and the power of place in our dreams.
Mansur was inspired by the current U.S. political and social landscape to share this aspect of her background within an artistic context. The work offers a vehicle to engage with others regarding these themes, supporting increased understanding, empathy, and respect for difference.
“Cedar Tree: DISTILLED” is a selected array from that project’s multimedia installation, including family photographs; oil paintings by her father, Raymond T. Mansur; photographs from family visits to Lebanon; performance images; maps, text, cedar sculptures and other 3D objects; and video.
The reception will include light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artist. The event is free and open to the public. The installation may be viewed in the Performance Center’s Ben Miller Lobby daily through April 24.
About the Artist
Sharon Mansur is a Winona-based contemporary dance and visual artist, educator, curator, body worker, mover, and shaker. Originally from Boston, Mass., her creative practice integrates improvisational techniques, somatic (body/mind) practices, collaborative approaches, and site-responsive art. She is also committed to dance as a transformational and healing catalyst for individuals and communities. Mansur’s performance projects and dance films have been presented throughout the U.S. and abroad.
About the Performance Center
Serving more than 25,000 visitors each year, the goal of the Performance Center at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is to be Southeastern Minnesota’s premier performing arts center, bringing artists and community together through imaginative programming, unique collaborations, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service. The Performance Center strives to be the venue through which artists and community connect — where audiences can experience a variety of cultures through quality performances of music, theatre, and dance, and discover the relevance of the arts in their daily lives.
Activities are 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.
Students invited to participate in Alladin theatre experience
WINONA, Minn. — Local students ages 7-18 are invited to participate in a week-long theatre experience April 23-28 in the musical production of the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre version of the classic tale, “Alladin and his Magic Lamp.”
With script and music by Daniel Nordquist and costume and set design by Deborah Nelson-Pick, “Alladin” is an exotic journey full of fun and surprises. This experience will be beneficial for young actors of all skills. Available roles include: Alladin, his mother Harmonia, the Vagabonds, the Merchants, the Slaves of the Genie, the Giant Gemstones, the Sultan, the Princess Serena, Zanda the Tiger, the Maidens, the Vizier, and the Genie of the Ring.
Any student registered will be cast, and all cast members are required to participate in the audition process on Monday, April 23, to determine their role. Cast members must be available for rehearsals Monday to Friday, April 23-28, from 4 to 8:15 p.m., as well as performances on Friday, April 27, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 28, at 2 p.m. Performances are in the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) Academy Theatre at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W Howard St.
Students can register to participate at mca.smumn.edu. Cost is $65, with need-based scholarships available.
Tickets to the Friday and Saturday performances are $5 and will be on sale during MCA business hours April 23-28, and one hour prior to each performance. Cash or check only.
Visit prairiefirechildrenstheatre.com for more information about Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre.
MCA Dance Repertory Company presents ‘Cinderella’ at Saint Mary’s April 20-22
WINONA, Minn. — The popular fairy tale “Cinderella” will be brought to life April 20-22 at Saint Mary’s University by the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) Dance Repertory Company. The performance features Saint Mary’s alumnus Jarod Boltjes, professional dancer with the St. Paul Ballet, who will be performing the role of The Prince.
“Cinderella” tells the story of a young girl, scorned by her comical stepmother and stepsisters, who finds true love and lives happily ever after with the help of her fairy godmother’s magic and a glass slipper. Originally choreographed in the mid-1940s by Rotislav Zakharov of the Bolshoi Ballet and Sir Frederick Ashton of the Sadler’s Wells Ballet, “Cinderella” continues to enchant audiences with the exquisitely fanciful score by Sergei Prokofiev.
For more than 40 years, the Dance Repertory Company has presented the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works. The Dance Repertory Company performed “Cinderella” in 2006 and is excited for audiences to experience the magic again, with remounting of repertoire and updated takes on pieces and performance elements. Audience members will be entertained as this classical ballet tells the tale through dance, music, costumes, and scenery — including a huge pumpkin carriage to escort Cinderella to the ball.
The cast of more than 50 dancers ages 6 and up from Winona and surrounding communities includes: Jasmine Albrect, Layton Barnard, Erica Beckman, Emmie Dammen, Macy Donnenwerth, Abigail Ellenburg, Claire Ellings, Hannah Ellings, Grace Hendrickson, Elizabeth Hinz, Nadia Hocum, Aidan Indahl, Annabeth Kerr, Mattie Kreisel, Silvia Krzmarzick, Isabell Livingston, Nolan Livingston, Karly Lunda, Megan Lynch, Breanna McElmury, Isaac Meinke, Justine Meinke, Preston Meinke, Carmelle Meyer, Keeli Meyer, Natalia Minetto, Olivia Nelson, Rose Nelson, Anna Nungster, Makarah Olcott, Amanda Pohlman, Raina Racki, Marlee Ressa, Beatrice Sanders, Danielle Schleich, Laura Schleich, Natalie Schleich, Victoria Schroeder, Ella Skranka, Gavin Slavey, Alona Stenberg, Maya Strassburger, Emily Strom, Corrie Swenson, Kelly Swenson, Salome Tolvaisas, Isa Uribe, Max Uribe, Lucy Wilfahrt, Aza Theresa Williams-Carpenter, and Abbie Wishy.
Performances are April 20-21 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22 at 3 p.m. at the Page Theatre Performance Center on the Saint Mary’s Winona Campus. Call the box office for tickets at 507-457-1715 or purchase online at pagetheatre.smumn.edu. For more information about the Dance Repertory Company visit mca.smumn.edu.
Campus Compact awards honor Saint Mary’s individuals and Winona civic program
Minnesota Campus Compact Presidents’ Awards provide an opportunity for university presidents to give statewide recognition to leaders in civic engagement at their institutions. Two individuals and an organization were nominated by Brother William for the awards, which will be presented at the Campus Compact annual summit Thursday, April 19, in Saint Paul.
Receiving our Student Leadership Award is senior Daniel Olajonlu, who was cited for modeling a deep commitment to leadership and civic engagement. He is an active proponent of respect, solidarity, and inclusivity on the Winona Campus as shown by his leadership of Black Students and Allies. Daniel’s quiet guidance on issues of diversity speaks volumes to the students around him. He also received the Outstanding Male Senior Award earlier this year.
The Winona Community Warming Center will receive our Community Partner Award, cited for working with Saint Mary’s to enhance the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways, such as providing a safe, warm overnight stay for the homeless population of Winona County every night November-March. Offered through Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Winona, the Winona Community Warming Center works with various community agencies to meet the needs of their guests and is staffed by volunteers, including students.
The Civic Engagement Steward Award will go to Dr. Teresa Taylor, program director for Culturally Responsive Teaching, cited as a leader in promoting culturally responsive engagement. She has worked with faculty, staff, and students on the issues of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural competence. Teresa is a proponent of self-reflection, intentional dialogue, and community engagement, while promoting equitable leadership, organizational effectiveness, and transformative change.
Saint Mary’s Farewell Fest scheduled for May 2
All faculty, staff, students and their families are invited to a day-long event in celebration of the last day of classes at Saint Mary’s. All events will be held in the plaza (or Saint Mary’s Gymnasium). And all events are free unless otherwise noted.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy:
- An all-campus garage sale. If you’d like a table, you must pre-register with Mike Ostman starting April 16 and bring your own change. Get rid of all the stuff you’ve accumulated throughout the year that won’t fit in the car ride home.
- Bean bag and giant ladder ball tournaments sponsored by Intramurals.
- Inflatables — including a 134-foot obstacle course; a two-person joust; a velcro wall; wipeout; and a human-sized pool table.
- Massage chairs. Available for a small fee, but who can put a price on relaxing?
- A destructive senior class fundraiser. Grab a sledgehammer and take a swing at some furniture … or maybe even a car! Students and faculty: take out your pre-final stress and frustration while you raise money for the seniors.
Have any furniture you’re willing to donate to the cause? Contact Mike Ostman (mostman@smumn.edu). Items with glass must have the glass removed. Mattresses and items with bulbs or chemicals will not be accepted. - Lunch, served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the plaza only.
4 p.m., the new Student Senate Executive Board will be inaugurated.
5 to 7:30 p.m., dinner will be served in the plaza only.
5 to 7 p.m., the amphitheater will be filled with events including:
- For the Flowers, a WSHS band featuring Dr. Rebecca Hopkins’ son, from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Cash bar from 6 to 10 p.m. with proper ID.
- The Comedy Sportz Improv Troupe from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
- Midwest Dueling Pianos from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- The band Kind Country from 9 to 11 p.m.
- The last Open Mic Night of the year from 11 p.m. to midnight.
Get your commemorative T-shirts and sunglasses (while supplies last) and enjoy the day with your Saint Mary’s family.
Event sponsors include:
Alumni Relations
Student Athletic Advisory Committee
Black Students and Allies
Chartwells
Future Alumni Committee
Office of Student Activities
Student Activities Committee
Student Life
Maintenance
Minnesota City Customs
Photo caption: Kind Country
Athletics to grill out for next Let’s do Lunch April 19
Cardinal Athletics and Chartwells will be grilling up burgers, brats, and all the tailgating fixings Thursday, April 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the ice arena lobby for the next faculty/staff Let’s do Lunch fundraiser.
For entertainment, bring a buck to chuck a puck in the hockey rink. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Athletics Initiative.
2018 Hendrickson Forum focuses on innovation culture
Event being live-streamed from Winona
The 2018 Hendrickson Forum will feature keynote speaker Jackie Freiberg, international best-selling author and global consultant, and the presentation of the Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership. The Tuesday, April 24 event, “Innovation Culture,” is presented by Saint Mary’s Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership and will take place at the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus in Minneapolis.
Recognized as one of the Top 30 Minds on Leadership by Leadership Excellence Magazine, Freiberg helps companies foster work environments where their employees can do their best work. The event, “Innovation Culture,” is presented by Saint Mary’s Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership.
“Innovation is a word that has been prevalent in business for quite some time now,” said Audrey Kintzi, Saint Mary’s vice president for development and alumni relations who leads the Hendrickson Forum. “Dr. Freiberg’s approach to guiding companies to build a culture that results in innovation is the kind of action-oriented strategy that organizations need to succeed and lead.”
Freiberg is the co-author of seven award-winning books, including NUTS!, the international bestseller describing Southwest Airlines’ leadership, culture, and profitability; GUTS!; BOOM!; NANOVATION!; Do Something Now!; Be a Person of Impact!; and most recently, CAUSE! A Business Strategy for Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness. Her articles and interviews on leadership, innovation, engagement, and the SheEconomy have been published in the The Wall Street Journal, Businessweek, Investor’s Business Daily, Dubai’s CapitalME, India’s Management Next, India’s Business Standard, India’s Economic Times, and India’s Financial Times.
Freiberg earned a doctorate in leadership from the University of San Diego, a master’s degree in communication from San Diego State University, and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of New Hampshire.
At the Hendrickson Forum, Freiberg will discuss how organizations can harness innovation in a new way. Focusing on three critical roles for organizational success (notice, lead, and disrupt), Freiberg’s keynote will empower attendees to take on these roles and begin taking advantage of opportunities to transform new ideas into real solutions.
Freiberg will join a distinguished roster of former speakers: Zanny Minton Beddoes, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Admiral James Stavridis, Sheila Bair, Ian Bremmer, Sue Gardner, Jacqueline Novogratz, Dr. Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Prime Minister John Howard, and John Micklethwait. While the topics have varied by year, themes have centered on ethical business leadership in our increasingly global economy.
Saint Mary’s University will proudly present this year’s medal to Rhoda Olsen, vice chair of the Great Clips, Inc. Board of Directors. Olsen has demonstrated great commitment to and has been an outstanding leader in the Minneapolis community.
A 100-percent-franchised company with more than 4,100 salons across North America, Great Clips — under Olsen’s leadership — maintained a clear goal: customer-centered service, offering a great haircut at a great price. With extended hours and an innovative mobile app, Olsen made getting quality haircuts even more convenient for her customers.
Olsen joined Great Clips in 1984. She became CEO in 2011 and grew the chain from 1,000 locations to more than 4,000. She also pushed the business to embrace technology such as online check-in for customers. The Business Journal named Olsen its Executive of the Year in 2015. She is also a former trustee of the university.
The Hendrickson Forum is a luncheon event, held this year on Tuesday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Check-in and networking begin at 11 a.m. at the Saint Mary’s University Center on the Twin Cities Campus on Park Avenue in Minneapolis. The event is open to the public and general admission tickets are $50 per person, which includes lunch. Advance registration is required. More information and online registration is available at: www.smumn.edu/HendricksonForum.
In Winona, the event will be live-streamed in the Science and Learning Center auditorium. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and the program begins at 11:30 a.m. The live-streaming is open to all staff, faculty, student, and Winona community members.
Help us tell the Saint Mary’s story
As part of our visibility and recruiting efforts, the Marketing and Communication Office is constantly striving to tell the Saint Mary’s story. We depend on our faculty and staff to help us identify our best stories. Remember to let Deb Nahrgang (ext. 6966 or dnahrgan@smumn.edu) know if you have alumni and student outcome stories we should feature, or if you are doing something highlightable in the classroom. These stories, quotes, and photos are also used in social media and in various marketing materials.
Great Clips Board Vice Chair Rhoda Olsen to be honored at Hendrickson Forum
At this year’s annual forum on ethical leadership, Saint Mary’s honors Great Clips’ innovative leader and newly retired CEO.
MINNEAPOLIS – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will honor Rhoda Olsen, former CEO and current vice chair of the board of Great Clips, with the 2018 Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership at this year’s Hendrickson Forum. The Tuesday, April 24, 2018, event, “Innovation Culture,” is presented by Saint Mary’s Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership and will feature a keynote address by author, business owner, and renowned leadership speaker Dr. Jackie Freiberg.
“We are thrilled to honor Rhoda as our Hendrickson Medal recipient,” says Audrey Kintzi, Saint Mary’s vice president for development and alumni relations who leads the Hendrickson Forum. “She is a wonderfully kind individual whose contributions to Great Clips are too numerous to count. Under her leadership, the organization implemented innovative technologies to completely transform the customer experience. Just as Dr. Freiberg suggests leaders should do, Rhoda established a culture of innovation and leveraged it to yield an action-oriented strategy that would position Great Clips well ahead of its competition.”
At the helm of Great Clips Rhoda Olsen championed online and mobile check-in for customers, allowing them to see wait times for haircuts and be added to salon waitlists before arriving. Olsen also developed a robust customer database that alerts stylists of customers’ preferences, ensuring a consistent experience for the customer each and every time – no matter the location or stylist.
Olsen began at Great Clips in 1984, was named president in 1998, and promoted to CEO in 2011. She led Great Clips from 1,000 salons in 1998 to 4,200 salons at the end of 2017. She has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in numerous positions at Great Clips as well as prior experience in human resources, business leadership, and consulting at various companies.
Past medal recipients include Inge Thulin of 3M, Mary Brainerd of HealthPartners, and more. Nominees for the Hendrickson Medical for Ethical Leadership have made significant contributions to the Twin Cities community and exhibit ethical leadership that is globally oriented and innovative or creative; citizenship that significantly improves the lives of others’ appreciation for diverse ideas and perspectives; and a commitment to inspiring emerging leaders.
This year’s Hendrickson Forum will feature a keynote address from Jackie Freiberg, author, business owner, and renowned leadership speaker. Recognized as one of the Top 30 Minds on Leadership by Leadership Excellence Magazine, Freiberg helps companies foster work environments where their employees can do their best work. Freiberg is the co-author of seven award-winning books, including NUTS!, the international bestseller describing Southwest Airlines’ leadership, culture, and profitability; GUTS!; BOOM!; NANOVATION!; Do Something Now!; and Be a Person of Impact!; and most recently, CAUSE! A Business Strategy for Standing Out in A Sea of Sameness. Learn more about Jackie.
At the Hendrickson Forum, Freiberg will discuss how organizations can harness innovation in a new way. Focusing on three critical roles for organizational success (notice, lead, and disrupt), Freiberg’s keynote will empower attendees to take on these roles and begin taking advantage of opportunities to transform new ideas into real solutions.
The Hendrickson Forum is a luncheon event, held this year on Tuesday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., with check-in and networking beginning at 11 a.m., at the Saint Mary’s University Center on the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus on Park Avenue in Minneapolis. The program also includes a presentation of the Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership. The event is open to the public and general admission tickets are $50 per person, which includes lunch. Advance registration is required. More information and online registration.
Saint Mary’s accepting service requests through Spruce Up Winona
WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is encouraging individuals, organizations, and churches in Winona to submit requests for service for the 12th annual Spruce Up Winona event.
Spruce Up Winona is an annual spring event where students from Saint Mary’s University and Winona State University volunteer and engage with the Winona community. Volunteers will be available from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 7, to help with spring-cleaning, raking leaves, painting, or other chores. The students are ready to work if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).
Requests must be made by Tuesday, April 3, to Campus Ministry at Saint Mary’s University by emailing krotz@smumn.edu or calling 507-457-7329. In the request, please include a description of the work, address of the location, a phone number, and the estimated time it will take to complete with two to three students.
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