Saint Mary's Newsroom / Campus Notes

The 2021 Presidents’ Awards from the Minnesota Campus Compact recognize, celebrate, and tell the story of great individuals, projects, and programs in Minnesota. The Presidents’ Awards are selected each year by the president of each member campus recognizing outstanding accomplishments in Student Leadership, Civic Engagement Leadership, and Community Partnership.

This year, Bridgette Hegarty, a junior student, was recognized with the President’s Student Leadership Award. This award is for an individual student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership, evidenced by initiative, innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public issues, effective community building, and integration of civic engagement into the college experience. During this pandemic, Bridgette has evidenced a deep commitment to students at Saint Mary’s, and, especially, as an RA, her students in Skemp Hall. She has developed creative programming in her hall to create a sense of community there. She also worked as a new student orientation leader where she devoted her energy and many gifts to welcome new students to campus during this difficult time — once again creating a sense of community for them. She has been a role model for other students.

Ryan Egan, head coach for Men’s Hockey, was recognized with the Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award. This award is for a member of the faculty, administration, or staff, or for a group that has significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic and community engagement, and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement. Prior to the pandemic, Coach Egan had high expectations for the men on his hockey team, both on and off the ice. The men were regular volunteers for numerous community service and campus service projects. During the pandemic, the men on the team could be counted on to assist the university with meal delivery for students in quarantine and isolation or with mass testing events for COVID. Coach Egan is clearly advancing the university’s mission to develop ethical leaders.

Congratulations to Bridgette and Coach Egan on these awards!

A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Father Paul Nienaber, S.J., and Brother Stephen Rusyn, FSC, at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, in Saint Thomas More Chapel on the Winona Campus.

Father Paul served as chair and associate professor of physics at the College from 2004 to 2019. He also taught regularly in the Lasallian Honors Program. He died Oct. 31, 2020.

Brother Stephen taught at Saint Mary’s for 25 years and truly loved teaching and the good he saw in each of his students. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award during his tenure here on campus. He died Nov. 17, 2020.

The State of Minnesota has designated April 12-16, 2021, Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week. As part of this statewide program, severe weather emergency sirens will be activated on Thursday, April 15, at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. in Winona. The siren on the Winona Campus is located near the track and field complex.

THIS ONLY A TEST AND YOU WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY ACTION.

The Office of Campus Safety would like to take this opportunity to share some important information regarding severe weather. We would also encourage you to participate in the tornado drills, if possible, to make sure you are prepared in the event of an actual tornado event.

In the event of an actual severe weather emergency, all students, faculty, staff, and guests would seek shelter in the lowest level of the residence hall, academic building, or other building they are in at the time of the emergency.

Below is additional information which may help you to understand, prepare for and respond to a severe weather emergency.

1. Find strong shelter immediately.
2. Seek a small interior room.
3. Move away from glass windows.
4. Leave mobile homes or trailers.
5. If outside, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head. Do not get under an overpass or bridge.
6. If in a vehicle, stop and find shelter in a strong building nearby immediately.
7. Watch out for flying debris.

Severe weather in Minnesota facts:

• Minnesota averages 40 tornadoes per year, but in 2010 the state had the most tornadoes of any state in the U.S. with 113.
• Tornadoes may strike quickly with little or no warning.
• Tornadoes can occur any time of day or night, but often occur in the late afternoon or evening.
• Tornado watch — weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes; remain alert for approaching storms.
• Tornado warning — a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar; take shelter immediately.

If you have questions regarding severe weather emergencies, please contact the Campus Safety Office.

It’s Monday, and before we start looking ahead to all the Cardinal action this week, here’s a quick look back at last week, which included action in baseball, fastpitch softball, volleyball, track and field, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s soccer.

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce the 2021 finalists for the Outstanding Senior Awards on its Winona Campus. For the past 53 years, Saint Mary’s has honored two seniors from the College, one man and one woman, who have demonstrated the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership, service to colleagues and the university community, as well as genuine concern for the needs of others.

The Outstanding Senior Awards will be presented during a private luncheon on Thursday, April 22, in the Toner Student Center Lounge.

Join us in congratulating this year’s finalists.

FEMALES

Kendall Archer, daughter of James and Tana Archer of Draper, Utah, is a philosophy and literature with a writing emphasis major and political science minor. She has played for the Cardinal women’s soccer team for the past four years and has had the honor of being the team captain for her senior season. Kendall has served on Student Senate in various roles, the most notable being Student Senate president her senior year. She also works as an ambassador and the chair of tour guides in the Admissions Office and as a tutor for the Writing Center. Following graduation in May, Kendall will be moving to Washington, D.C., to attend George Washington University School of Law as a presidential scholar and hopes to use the degree obtained to enter the public sector and advocate for vulnerable populations.

Clare Bath, daughter of Michael and Jennifer Bath, of Fargo, N.D., is pursuing a double major in political science and history and a minor in art. Clare is the president of the Campus Democrats and Art Club and is vice president of the Pre-Law Society. She is also co-captain of club volleyball and is on planning committees for Serving Others United Love (S.O.U.L.) and Diversity Café. She is a member of the Lasallian Honors program, Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Honor Society), and Lasallian Collegians. Clare visited Tulsa on a S.O.U.L. trip, volunteers for overnight shifts at the Winona Community Warming Center, and spends time with young children for the Project FINE Culture Club initiative. After graduation, Clare plans to pursue a master’s degree in peace and justice from the University of San Diego and hopes to one day advocate for women and children in post-colonial nations who have been especially abused by imprudent Western intervention.

Hallie Schmeling, daughter of Shane and Stephanie Schmeling of Onalaska, Wis., is an elementary education major with a math endorsement and leadership minor. She has been a four-year, double-sport athlete, competing for Cardinal women’s basketball and fastpitch. She founded and presided over the Intentional Acts of Kindness Club, was a leader for Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honor Society), peer mentored for ASCD (Association for Curriculum and Development), and volunteered as an ITA Literacy Clinic instructor. She was also a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Honor Society). Hallie has competed in various intramurals and promoted mental health on campus through Green Bandana certification and Athletic Mental Health Coalition membership. After graduation, she plans to teach middle school math near the La Crosse, Wis., area and continue coaching basketball.

Justine Schultz, daughter of David and Kirstin Schultz of Winona, Minn., is a psychology major with a leadership minor. She is president of Psi Chi International Honor Society of Psychology, social media coordinator for the Intentional Acts of Kindness Club, and team representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She has also competed on the softball team, participated in intramurals, brought the Green Bandana Project to Saint Mary’s, and hosted a virtual mental health awareness walk/run titled, Run “2” for SMU. Justine has also worked directly with Access Services in the Student Success Center. After graduation, she plans to pursue her master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Delaney Wolf, daughter of Terry and Linda Wolf of Bismarck, N.D., is a biochemistry and Spanish major. Delaney has participated in Buddies, various clubs related to her fields of study, the Lasallian Honors Program, Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Honors Society), Sigma Pi Sigma, Psi Chi, Lasallian Collegians, and Outdoor Leadership as a student leader. She has been a four-year competitor on the women’s hockey team and section leader of the concert band, as well as a peer tutor, writing tutor, and lab teaching assistant. After graduation, Delaney plans to spend a year doing research before attending medical school.

MALES

David French, son of Robert and Amy French of Winona, Minn., is a business management and history major. He has participated in the Lasallian Honors program, Saints Teresa and Peter Leadership Club, Student Senate, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Campus Ministry, Jazz Band and Combo, and the Tommy More Band. David has also played on the baseball team, competed in intramural activities, and was a peer minister. He also worked for the library, as a marketing tutor, and as an orientation leader. After graduation, David plans to attend law school or pursue an MBA.

Jacob Hagstrom, son of Chris and Susan Hagstrom of Longview, Texas, is a business management major with a minor in public relations. He’s played on the men’s hockey team and has served as president of the Public Relations/Business Club for two years. He is also co-chaplain of the Saint Mary’s Men’s Hockey Team Chapel Group. After graduation, Jacob plans to return to Texas and work for East Texas Lawn Care, his dad’s lawn care and landscape business, where Jacob has worked since 2011.

Jordan Malikowski, son of Wayne and Cheryl Malikowski of Royalton, Minn., is an accounting and finance double major. He has participated in the Lasallian Honors Program, Delta Mu Delta, Serving Others United Love, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Catholic Relief Services, LIFT retreats, and various other Campus Ministry events. Jordan also competed on the men’s cross country and track and field teams. He worked for the Business and Financial Aid Offices and was an accounting tutor. Jordan was one of the first to participate in the Fastenal-Saint Mary’s co-op internship and is currently completing an exempt organization tax internship with Eide Bailly in Minneapolis. After graduation, he hopes to work at Eide Bailly as a tax associate, marry his fiancé, and earn his CPA license.

Elliott Rysavy, son of Al and Peggy Rysavy of Owatonna, Minn., is a double major in literature with a writing emphasis and Spanish. He has participated in the Lasallian Honors Program, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Delta Epsilon Sigma, and Sigma Tau Delta. He has also sang in the Saint Mary’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, played on the ultimate frisbee team, participated in the Ballroom Dance Club, and volunteered in Big and Little Pals and Buddies. Elliott worked at the IT HelpDesk and as an orientation leader. After graduation, he plans to study in the Saint Mary’s M.A. in Teaching program, eventually pursuing a career as a high school English or Spanish teacher.

Kristopher Shepard, son of Scott and Michele Shepard of Crystal Lake, Ill., is a literature with a writing emphasis major and leadership and Spanish minor. He captained the club ultimate frisbee team, played club soccer and intramurals, participated in the Lasallian Honors Program, assisted LIFT retreats, and provided the play-by-play webcast for various Cardinal athletic teams. Kris served in executive positions for Student Activities Committee, Saints Teresa and Peter Leadership Club, and the Phi Mu Alpha fraternity and also worked as a two-year executive orientation leader. Kris has been accepted into Saint Mary’s M.A. in Teaching graduate program and will return to Winona next year before eventually teaching English at the high school level.