Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) will present “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” a comedy-drama about an eccentric teacher who inspires a cult-like following among her “girls” and the administration's desire to force her resignation, Feb. 19-22 in the Cecilian Auditorium of the SMWC Conservatory of Music building.

The stage adaptation of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” was written by Jay-Presson Allen and based on the book by Muriel Sparks. The play centers on an eccentric teacher, Miss Jean Brodie, who has an irrepressible drive to “stimulate, enliven and uplift” her students. She instructs them on the ways of life, and ignoring the more mundane subjects, she teaches them of love, politics and art.

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By Deb Kelly
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — What is the true cost of our food? How windy must it be to generate enough power using wind turbines? What is “biomass”?

These and many other questions were addressed Thursday at an all-day teach-in on the campus of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, where presenters faced the issue of sustainability, from the perspectives of health, food, environment, economics and the arts.

The second “Focus the Woods” teach-in dealt with the topic of sustainability. In 2008, the topic was climate change, and the program coincided with the national “Focus the Nation” teach-in, that involved more than 1,000 participating colleges nationwide.

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Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White and national advocate for people living with HIV and AIDS, will speak at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, as part of the College’s Four-Star Series. Her presentation, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the Cecilian Auditorium of SMWC’s Conservatory of Music Building, is free and open to the public.

Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13 and gained international notoriety fighting for his right to attend school. In the process, he opened the hearts and minds of millions of people. He was, as Ted Koppel described him on Nightline, “an extraordinary young man; brave, tolerant and wise beyond his years.”

During the time between his diagnosis in 1984 and his death in 1990, Ryan was featured on numerous television shows and magazine covers and was the subject of a television movie about his life. He became friends with world-renowned athletes and entertainers, including Elton John, Greg Louganis and Michael Jackson, all of whom offered Ryan and his family their support. He spoke out often and eloquently about the challenges he faced and the need for greater compassion towards people with HIV and AIDS. Despite the ravages of the illness to his body and the discrimination he faced, Ryan remained a positive, healing force throughout his life.

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Puzzled by the tax law or which credits to take? Need assistance with your tax return?  The trained volunteers at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) can help!

SMWC is offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program to help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $42,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Through VITA, which is a national program, certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.

At SMWC, nine accounting students received extensive training to assist U.S. citizens and residents with their federal and Indiana income tax returns.

“The VITA Program provides our students with practical tax experience outside the classroom,” said Jamie McCracken, SMWC assistant professor of business and co-coordinator of SMWC’s VITA services. “VITA is a wonderful way for students to get real life experience while helping the community.”

VITA services will be provided at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning Feb. 3 and lasting through April 15. To take advantage of this opportunity, appointments must be made in advance by calling the SMWC Library at 812-535-5223. When calling, simply state that you would like to make an appointment with the VITA Program.

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NOTE: THE WED OPEN HOUSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER.

Those interested in learning more about the Woods External Degree program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) are invited to attend SMWC’s Open House event on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Presidents’ Room of the Mary and Andrew Rooney Library at SMWC.

The Open House event will include an introduction to SMWC’s Woods External Degree Program (WED), an overview of credit options, and career planning and financial aid information. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to explore available majors and meet faculty members, and those who bring their transcripts can receive an unofficial credit evaluation.

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Those interested in career options in theatre are invited to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) on Jan. 31 for the “Creating a Life in Theatre” workshop.

While the College is only accepting a limited number of student participants for the workshop, which will be led by Sharon Ammen, Ph.D., associate professor of theatre and theatre director, and Delia Taylor, a professional guest actress from Washington, D.C., anyone who is interested in learning more about theatre is encouraged to participate as audience members.

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Ammen and Taylor will discuss the skills and training of actors; the 10:45 a.m. to noon session will cover topics including breaking into the theatre business, preparing a curriculum vitae and audition behavior; from 1 to 2:30 p.m., participants will get the chance to work on prepared monologues and songs; and from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., Ammen and Taylor will discuss career options in the performing arts. From noon to 1 p.m., lunch will be available for purchase in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room for workshop audience members.

"Any young person interested in the possibility of making a career in theatre should attend this workshop,” Ammen said. “Any parents worried about their sons or daughters working in the theatre should also come!”

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On Wednesday, Jan. 21, SMWC President David G. Behrs hosted a pre-game reception before the SMWC vs. Rose-Hulman basketball game. SMWC alumnae, faculty and staff gathered for light snacks and refreshments before cheering on the SMWC basketball team.

The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College basketball team traveled to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the annual Clabber Girl Trophy women's basketball game on Wednesday, January 21. 

On Jan. 29, Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College will host “Focus The Woods,” an all-day teach-in focused on sustainability. All presentations are free and open to the public.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sustainability means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” and during “Focus The Woods,” SMWC faculty and staff will share information about ways to be better stewards of the environment while promoting positive economic growth and social objectives. Presentation topics will include wind power; volunteering for Time Dollars; sustainability in theatre; “green” careers; the impact of sustainability on health, healthcare and fitness; sustainable travel; sustainable diets; the true costs of food; earth images and energy as sources of inner peace; manure management for sustainable pasturelands; magazines, newspapers and websites focused on developing sustainable communities; worm composting; growing plastics; the economics of sustainability; and sustainability in literature.

A complete list of presentations with times and locations is available for download. More information can be obtained by contacting Tammy Tintjer at ttintjer@smwc.edu or 812-535-5262.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) announced today that declining registration numbers and current economic conditions have prompted the College to suspend Camp at The Woods operations.

Camp at The Woods, a summer residential camp for boys and girls age 7-14, has been a tradition at Saint Mary-of the-Woods College for 27 years. However, in recent years, the Camp has seen a decline in registration numbers, which has yielded negligible profits. This, combined with the current economic crisis facing the nation and this region, led College officials to the decision to suspend Camp at The Woods operations.

“For the last 27 years, Camp at The Woods has provided young people with the opportunity to visit SMWC and make friends and memories that last a lifetime, so making the decision to suspend the Camp was not easy,” said Julie White, director of conferences and non-credit programs at SMWC “I want to thank everyone who has participated in our camps throughout the years, and I want to express my appreciation to our dedicated staff who have worked so hard to create camps that are safe, fun and educational.”

White said that while it is not out of the question for Camp at The Woods to return to SMWC, there are no plans to resume operations in the near or foreseeable future.

The Office of Conferences and Non-Credit Programs coordinates facility rental, conferences, camps, events, and non-credit programs for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. If you would like information about reserving a building or room for a special event, contact White at 812-535-5149 or woodscamp@smwc.edu.

Comedian Jen Kober, a small town girl who is big time funny, will bring her act to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on Monday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. Kober’s performance, which will be held in the Sullivan Lounge of Le Fer Hall, is free and open to the public.

Originally from Lake Charles, La., Jen Kober has bounded onto the national stage bringing crowds to their feet with her original blend of stand-up, story telling, and improvised rock-n-roll comedy. Her hard-hitting hour of comedy is phenomenally funny as Kober commands the stage and dares you not to laugh.

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Rose-Hulman Institute Technology and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will meet in the annual Clabber Girl Trophy women's basketball game on Wednesday, January 21, in the Hulbert Arena of Rose-Hulman's Sports and Recreation Center.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is $5. The game will be broadcast online beginning at 7:15 p.m. at http://www.rose-hulman.edu/sports/radiopage.html.

Blake Devereaux’s letter in the Tribune-Star (“Online Degrees are Farces and Frauds”, Jan. 1, 2009) raises many issues; most importantly, he may not fully understand contemporary higher education. Today two-thirds of all colleges and universities in the United States provide distance education for students, from single courses to complete degree programs.

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By Dennis Clark
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — St. Mary-of-the-Woods coach Deanna Bradley had high expectations prior to this season, anticipating a welcome turnaround in the school’s struggling women’s basketball fortunes.

Bradley’s optimism was due to her roster of 13 talented athletes, sporting at least three starters returning for their sophomore seasons, along with a strong recruiting class of incoming freshmen.

But as the classic Rolling Stones’ song said, “You can’t always get what you want.”

Instead of a probable winning record at this stage of the season, the Pomeroys are saddled with a lowly 1-17 won-loss ledger prior to Wednesday’s annual matchup vs. Rose-Hulman at 7:30 p.m. inside Hulbert Arena.

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By Andy Amey
The Tribune-Star

A chance meeting three falls ago made me a high school cross country fan of Allie True and C.J. Barnett of Northview ever since, and now I’ll get to follow their careers a little farther.

The two Knights signed letters of intent recently to become members of the first cross country team at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, and both are excited about the opportunity — as is coach Danelle Readinger.

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Female high school juniors and seniors who are interested in learning more about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) are invited to the SMWC Campus Visit Day on Jan. 24.

SMWC’s Campus Visit Day is a great opportunity to see and experience The Woods. Prospective students and their families will have the chance to meet faculty, staff, coaches, and current students; learn about SMWC’s athletic and academic programs; ask questions about college planning and financial aid; and tour campus.

During the Campus Visit Day, seniors will also get the chance to compete for the Woods Writing Achievement Award. The Woods Writing Achievement Award is a first-year award valued at up to $1500. To compete, students will submit essays, which will be evaluated by SMWC’s English faculty members.

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The Academy of Applied Science (AAS) has awarded Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College a $10,000 grant to host the Thirty-sixth Annual Indiana Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (InJSHS). The Symposium, which will be held March 5-7, 2009, is sponsored by AAS and The Research Offices of the United States Army, Navy and Air Force.

Dave Grabowski, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Sciences and Mathematics at SMWC and director of this year's Symposium, is a founding member of the InJSHS Board of Directors and has been affiliated with the Symposium for several years. Janet Clark, Ph.D., chair and assistant professor in the Department of Sciences and Mathematics at SMWC, is assistant director for the Symposium.

The Indiana Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (InJSHS) is an annual research competition open to Indiana high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition to promoting research in science, engineering, mathematics, and humanities, InJSHS serves to publicly recognize students for outstanding original research achievement.

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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is now accepting applications for its undergraduate campus-based Honors Program.

The Honors Program at SMWC was created to attract and challenge high-ability students to achieve the highest standards of academic, professional, and personal excellence. The program will offer students an enriched curriculum that will broaden their cultural awareness, deepen their knowledge, enhance their creativity, sharpen their research and writing skills and foster leadership.

The College has designed a slate of courses for the honors program that emphasize perspectives that The Woods as a whole embraces, such as studies in creative, expressive, scientific and social/cultural disciplines.

In addition to enhanced curriculum and cultural activities, Honor Program students also get preferred, early registration for classes; membership in SMWC’s Honors Student Association; and monthly luncheons with SMWC President David Behrs.

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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) and WTHI-TV are proud to announce that Samantha Robbins and Katelyn Gosnell from Terre Haute South Vigo High School and Heather Martin from West Vigo High School have been chosen as recipients of the Top Ten on 10 Scholarship.

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The Saint Mary of the Woods College (SMWC) Art Gallery’s next exhibition will feature the work of ten women artists, representing a variety of mediums. The exhibition, “Women Artists’ Invitational,” will be on display Jan. 14-30. An opening reception will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Work includes sculpture by Teresa Clark, monoprints by Catherine Knight, paintings by Mary Kramer, ceramics by Diane Mann, drawings by Sister Jody O’Neil, SP, photographs by Karen Page, quilting by Sister Rita Ann Roethele, SP, watercolors by Jennifer Harney Tynes, weaving by Abigail Urban and paintings by Teresa Urban.

The SMWC Art Gallery is located in Hulman Hall, room 132. Admission is free and open to the public. Regular Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Rebecca Mollenhauer, Gallery Director, by phone at 812-535-5265 or by email at artgallery@smwc.edu.