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Winona Campus Newsletter
Saint Mary’s students design campaigns for Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Saint Mary’s University is providing students with hands-on experiences — even in a virtual world.
Students in the first-semester Advertising and Promotions course were tasked with designing an advertising campaign for one of several target markets for the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM).
The museum, located in Winona and pictured above, is home to some of the most unique and significant marine artworks in the Midwest, from Monet and Picasso, to Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware.
Using course concepts taught by Shelly McCallum-Ferguson, DBA, student teams designed campaigns using target market research, objective and goals development, creative and design skills, and media strategy.
Then, in December, the class members, most of whom are marketing majors in the School of Business and Technology, presented the creatives — either for radio, TV, billboards, traditional print, brochures, or social media — and made their pitches as if they were members of an ad agency to Caitlin Crouchet, MMAM retail and communications manager.
Jordan Modjeski, a senior in the class, said the opportunity was invaluable to her. “It was a great way to develop real-world experience,” she said. “Advertising is a fast-paced field. Things are constantly changing and evolving, and because of this, the learning curve is constantly shifting. This opportunity provided us with a great lesson in adaptability and flexibility, and the chance to know what it might be like to provide advertising services to a client.”
Crouchet also found the collaboration beneficial. “It was a joy to work with the Saint Mary’s students,” she said. “I loved hearing their fresh ideas and new perspectives. They were engaged, and thoughtfully prepared their presentations. I think they will do very well when they move into the professional world.”
Gostomski Fieldhouse: Workout policies and more
Policies and updates
Masks must be worn at all times. Users should observe 9 feet of social distancing; the equipment is already spaced out that way.
Cleaning
Users should clean equipment before and after use. Staff and student workers will clean each area piece after 45-minute blocks as needed.
Occupancy limits (maximum at one time)
Weight room: 30
Indoor track: 5
Small weight room (first room): 3
Cardio room (second room): 9
Bikes outside office: 12
Three blue courts: 30
Reservations
Workouts will be limited to 45 minutes in a one-hour block. (This leaves 15 minutes for cleaning). Users are limited to one workout per day or as space allows and can reserve their workout time through SignUpGenius.
Hours
Friday, Jan. 22, through Sunday, Jan. 24:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Starting Monday, Jan. 25:
Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
COVID-19 tracking dashboard now has five levels
The COVID-19 tracking dashboard continues to be updated as Saint Mary’s begins spring semester. The Minnesota Department of Health has now created five levels of COVID-19 transmission and consequent mitigation measures, updated in its mitigation measures for higher education institutions, which are:
Level 1 (green) — low levels of transmission
Level 2 (yellow) — medium levels of transmission
Level 3 (orange) — high levels of transmission
Level 4 (deep orange) — sustained level of high transmission in the community
Level 5 (red) — sustained levels of high transmission at the university
Note: the previous orange had significant mitigation measures, many of which are now addressed in the deep orange. View the university’s new protocols on responses to surges in COVID-19 cases.
Saint Mary’s is welcoming back students to its Winona Campus at level 3 (orange). The new guidance specifically states, “Extracurricular activities/clubs/organizations should be significantly scaled back in terms of attendance, frequency of meeting, and moved to virtual wherever possible; consider postponing or canceling where feasible.” Saint Mary’s is following that guidance.
Additional safety measures have been implemented on the Winona Campus, including a curfew and soft quarantine before and after travel to campus, to prevent an early outbreak of COVID-19 after students arrive. The goal is to start the semester without a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The university is not currently tracking student cases on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses, which will begin at level 2 (yellow), because all classes have been moved online this semester.
The Winona Campus COVID-19 case data is updated each morning to reflect data from the previous day (or days, in the case of weekends). Other campus dashboards are updated weekly on Fridays before noon.
Refreshed COVID-19 signage available
You may notice refreshed signage around campus. Various signs have been created by the designers in the Marketing and Communication Department to help students, faculty, staff, and visitors follow guidelines to keep each other healthy and safe.
Download and print
University employees can use these signs to customize directional, informational, and instructional signage in their office, area, or building. Visit the Marketing and Communication intranet site to view, download, and print the signs you need.
Live stream winter sports
On Jan. 13, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Presidents’ Council voted to approve plans for a return to competitive athletics this winter. The MIAC winter sports of basketball, hockey, and indoor track and field will be permitted to participate in regular-season competition. The Cardinal basketball and hockey teams will compete in seven conference games, while also having the ability to add up to four nonconference contests — with no games beginning earlier than Jan. 29. Track and field, meanwhile, will be able to participate in regular-season meets at the discretion of each institution.
To prioritize focus on student-athlete and staff safety, however, spectators will not be allowed at MIAC contests during the winter season.
“We have a small window for success this winter season,” said MIAC executive director Dan McKane. “Our COVID Working Group, made up of conference members and medical advisors, supported no spectators for indoor winter sports due to health and safety concerns. This decision, supported by conference athletic directors and presidents, provides our best path forward to successfully and safely conduct winter sports.
“The decision was not made lightly,” McKane added. “It is critical that we see success in the first few weeks of competition.”
To accommodate all Cardinal fans, Saint Mary’s will live video stream all basketball and hockey contests. View the schedule for all live stream games.
Answers to your COVID-19 questions
The Saint Mary’s COVID-19 website, which can be found at smumn.edu/covid19, continues to be updated with information. If you have additional questions or concerns, let us know by filling out the form or emailing covid@smumn.edu. We’ll respond in the Wednesday CommUNITY newsletter or directly to you, using the contact info you provide.
Next Cardinal Update Live is Feb. 11
Mark your calendars for the next Cardinal Update Live Thursday, Feb. 11, at noon. This will be a similar format to the first Cardinal Update Live held in November.
Looking ahead, the next event, the spring Update, will be Thursday, April 15. All current staff and faculty from all campuses are welcome to attend.
Topics to be shared at the meeting include the introduction of new employees since November, plans in place for this term and semester (including COVID-19 safety precautions), an update on the strategic plan, and other news.
Father Burns shares thoughts on Lasallian Catholic education
Father James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., president, is profiled in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities section called @ the helm. Included is a biography as well as a Q&A about Saint Mary’s mission, strategic plan, and other visions for American Catholic higher education.
Additionally, Father Burns and Michael Hahn, Ph.D., director of Character and Virtue Education, co-wrote an article titled “Lasallian Education: Following in the Footsteps of the Greats” for the most recent AXIS Journal. This paper is inspired by and responds to the annual theme for 2019-2020 developed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools: “Great Things Are Possible.”
Human Resources update
Verify your first paycheck of 2021 is accurate
To ensure your 2021 benefit deductions are accurate, please review your Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 paystub. You can view your paystub by visiting the faculty/staff portal > My Payroll > Pay History tab > Paystubs. If you notice an error in the “Payroll Deduction” section of your paystub, please contact HR at hr@smumn.edu.
Staff performance evaluations
The staff performance evaluation process began Dec. 3, 2020, and concludes Jan. 31, 2021. This year, we have an improved performance review form and simpler guidelines. The new form and guidelines are saved on the HR page of Blackboard. Please speak with your manager or HR if you have any questions. HR will collect the completed reviews and ensure they are placed in employee personnel files.
2020 W-2
All current employees may access their 2020 W-2 form by logging into the faculty/staff portal > My Payroll > Pay History tab at the top > Tax Forms. The 2020 W-2 will automatically appear, and you have the ability to access your 2019 and 2018 W-2s if necessary. If you have any questions concerning your W-2 form, contact Paul Wildenborg at pwildenb@smumn.edu.
Looking for orientation leader recommendations
The New Student Orientation and Registration (NSOR) staff is looking for your recommendation of student leaders in your area who would be great representatives on the orientation leader staff.
If you know of any students who are exceptional leaders and great representatives of your department, please fill out this form. The NSOR staff will personally reach out to recommended students and encourage them to apply for this position.
Orientation leader applications are available on Handshake and due Friday, Feb. 12. Students should be current first years, sophomores, juniors, or continuing seniors who have a 2.5 GPA or higher. Resident assistants, peer ministers, and admissions ambassadors for the 2021-22 school year are not eligible to be orientation leaders.
Doctor of Education in Leadership alumni and students making a difference
Students, faculty, and alumni of the Doctor of Education in Leadership are making a difference.
Here are some of the most recent examples:
Dr. Michael Butzow (Ed.D. alumnus) was recently named the director of Field Experiences and Student Teaching in the School of Education at the University of Northwestern St. Paul.
Joann Reeck (Ed.D. student) was promoted to vice president for Equity and Inclusion at Augsburg University.
Carrie Bowler (Ed.D. student) was promoted to operations manager for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mayo Clinic. She has operational oversight of the Divisions of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Innovation, and Quality.
Milpha Blamo (Ed.D. student) was promoted to vice president of Talent and Culture at The Minneapolis Foundation.
Amy Woxland (Ed.D. student) was elected to the 2020 School Board for Rushford-Peterson school district in Minnesota.
Publications by recent alumni, faculty, and students include:
Hudda Ibrahim (Ed.D. student) is an author, community advocate, and educator. Her closet is full of hijabs in different styles, patterns, and of course, colors! Her first book, “From Somalia to Snow,” explores how central Minnesota became home to Somalis. Ibrahim hopes this book brings joy to the girls who wear hijabs and brings light to all of the people they meet. “What Color is My Hijab?” is a children’s “learn your colors” book where a Muslim girl chooses what color hijab she’ll wear today. In the book, women of all different professions, including doctors and teachers, artists and politicians, are featured wearing their very colorful hijabs and a variety of clothing. Ibrahim says the variety is intentional, as it illustrates that like all Americans, Muslim women come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.
Dr. Todd Redalen (Ed.D. alumnus) and Dr. Jack McClure (Ed.D. faculty), Redalen, T. & McClure, J.P. (2020). At-risk High School Students and High Prestige Extra-curricular activities. Journal of Scholastic Inquiry: Education 11(1) 48-60.
Dr. Ayodeji Oyebola (Ed.D. alumnus), Oyebola, A. (2020). Caring: The soul of leadership. Retrieved from www.emmright.com.
Two Ed.D. graduates also had their dissertations annotated in AXIS Journal of Lasallian Education:
Dr. Anthony C. Behan III (Ed.D. alumnus), “Lasallian Workplace Spirituality: Toward an Understanding of Meaningfulness, Belonging, and Person-Organization Fit of the Lasallian Workplace” Ed.D. dissertation, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 2018, 163 pp. was annotated in AXIS Journal.
Dr. Christopher Fay (Ed.D. alumnus ), “Implementing Open-Education Resources in a Sustainable Manner: A Two-Case Study Using a Sustainability Model” Ed.D. dissertation, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 2019, 131 pp. was annotated in AXIS Journal.
Winona Campus parking reminders
Campus Safety reminds Winona Campus faculty and staff that students are returning to campus, so faculty and staff should resume parking in the Purple Parking lots. Also, please remember to display your staff parking permit in the vehicle you have on campus. We have new mirror hanging staff parking permits for this academic year, and some faculty and staff members have not gotten their new one yet. Come to the Campus Safety office in Toner room 115 (the information desk area) and have your vehicle information with you to get your new staff parking permit.
Get to Know Our Faculty: Dr. Matt J. Nowakowski, MBA, Ed.D.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Matt J. Nowakowski, MBA, Ed.D., program director and core associate professor for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. Dr. Nowakowski is an incredible professor and we are lucky to have him on our team for the last 13 years.
What courses do you teach for the DBA program?
- Global Markets and Resources
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Topical Papers in Innovation
- Seminar
Please share a little about your professional experience.
- Corporate and customer training at Nicolet Instruments/Thermo Electron Corporation with international assignments in Japan, Sweden, Finland, and Saudi Arabia.
- Academic administration and faculty at Saint Mary’s University. I was awarded the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota “Distinguished Lasallian Educator” award in
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.” – Unknown
What are some of your hobbies?
Wildlife photography, weightlifting, martial arts.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Being in a state of perpetual academic wonder.
What is your favorite classroom assignment and why?
The field assignment in Qualitative Analysis. Students collect raw observational data and then apply theory and technique to try and make sense of it. It is practice for dissertation research.
What is your contact information?
You can email Dr. Nowakowski at mnowakow@smumn.edu or find him on LinkedIn.
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