Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College head softball coach, Gary Rodgers, announced today that Kelsey Rosselli from Terre Haute North Vigo High School has signed on to play softball at SMWC.

“Our graduating class left openings in our outfield and I look for Kelsey to step in and compete as a freshman for that position,” Rodgers said. “She has good speed and quickness, which we look forward to using on offense and defense.  As an outfielder, she reads the ball off the bat very good and has the quickness to track the ball in the gaps. As a hitter, her quickness and speed will let us use her in the top of the batting order or in the nine spot as another leadoff hitter. We are very happy that Kelsey chose Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College to continue her academic and softball careers.”

On Saturday, June 13, Allison Kralovansky, a student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), was chosen as the 2009 Indiana Quarter Horse Association (IQHA) Queen. The competition, which took place at the Crossroads Arena in Cloverdale, Ind., during the IQHA State Show, consisted of an oral interview, written exam over the American Quarter Horse Association rulebook and a horsemanship class (a test of riding skills).

A 2005 graduate of NorthWood High School and 10 year 4-H member in Elkhart County, Kralovansky is currently studying equine business management with a minor in equine science at SMWC. She plans to graduate in 2010 and continue her education with graduate work in equine reproductive physiology and genetics. While attending SMWC, Kralovansky has served as the Western Equestrian Team Captain, Western Horse Manager, and committee member for the Western Regional Standards and Ethics Committee for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s Zone 9 Region 1.

As a strong competitor at the collegiate level, Kralovansky has been honored as a 4-time Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Nationals qualifier, 2008 AQHA High Point Regional Reserve Champion, 2008 IHSA Western Semi-Final Open Team Reining Champion, 2009 High Point Regional Champion and 2009 4th in the nation in the Intercollegiate AQHA High Point Rider Standings.

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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College President David G. Behrs, Ph.D., has announced the appointment of Dottie King, Ph.D., as vice president for academic affairs. King has been a mathematics faculty member at the College since 2002, and since September 2008, she has served as the College's assistant dean for undergraduate and international programs. King began her service as vice president for academic affairs on May 25, 2009.

“Dr. King has been a remarkable leader in academic affairs, contributing daily to the academic mission of the College and to the well-being of our students,” Behrs said. “I am confident that her knowledge and love of The Woods will continue to serve us well as she takes on this new role.”

In her new position, King is responsible for promoting excellence in teaching and scholarship as well as close student-faculty interactions in all of the College’s academic programs. In addition, she provides leadership for academic departments and interdisciplinary programs in curricular, personnel, and budgetary matters. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, King is also responsible for assisting the College’s senior leadership team in advancing the mission of the College and implementing its institutional plan.

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The Sisters of Providence in cooperation with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will host the Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Fest Oct. 23-25, 2009. The theme of the Fest is “Live with purpose — energize your faith!”

Do you live each day purposefully? Would you like to energize your faith? Then join us at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., Oct. 23-25 for a weekend of prayer, music and inspiration. Learn about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, the first saint of Indiana and the eighth saint who worked and lived in the United States.

Mother Theodore welcomed people of all faith traditions and there is something for everyone during this weekend retreat. Spend time at the Woods and you'll leave with renewed enthusiasm for your spiritual journey.

Join with others for a weekend gathering that will include:

• Candlelight procession of song and prayer
• Keynote speakers
• Adoration in the historic Blessed Sacrament Chapel
• Time for personal and group prayer and reflection
• Information on how to live sustainably
• Time to visit the gentle alpacas; learn about their place in the circle of life
• Experiences of Providence through art and entertainment
• Opportunities to learn more about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Junior high to retirement-age pilgrims are welcome!

Total cost for Fest (excludes housing and food): $25 per person or $100 total for families of four or more

Hotel accommodations are available just 15 minutes away in Terre Haute and special rates have been arranged for people attending the Fest. Visit the Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information about Terre Haute.

Questions? Contact Sister Barbara Doherty at bdoherty@spsmw.org or 812-535-2925, or visit the Sisters of Providence website for a full schedule of events.

The Saint Mary of the Woods College (SMWC) Art Gallery’s current exhibition features the work of Gina Cashbaugh-Toth, a student enrolled in the College's Master of Arts in Art Therapy program. Her exhibition, “The Journey,” is on display through June 19.

Cashbaugh-Toth is one of 32 MAAT students who are on campus June 10-20 for a June MAAT Intensive session. The MAAT program at SMWC is designed for persons who utilize or plan to utilize art in therapy or art as therapy, and the 48-hour curriculum offers a specialization in creativity/spirituality.

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.

For more information about the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at SMWC, or for information about financial aid opportunities and SMWC’s need-based graduate student scholarships, contact the Office of Distance & Graduate Admission by phone at 800-499-0373 or by e-mail at gradadms@smwc.edu.

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Jennifer Snoddy, the Help Desk Administrator at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is presenting “Preparing for the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) Certification” on June 18 during the 2009 MCT Virtual Summit.

The 2009 MCT Virtual Summit, taking place June 18-19, features 48 hours of nonstop online trainer readiness. Sessions will address updates on Microsoft technology, courseware training tips, and Train the Trainer and Instructor Development sessions. These sessions will be presented by Microsoft Evangelists and expert MCTs. Attendees will be able to share information with colleagues from around the world in a virtual coffee bar.

During Snoddy’s one-hour presentation, which will take place Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m., she will give attendees inside tips and tricks to prepare for the MCAS Certification covering Microsoft Office 2007. She will also share information that will help attendees pass all six of the required test to become an MCAS Master in Office 2007, and she will share some additional resources to help attendees pass future exams.

Before joining SMWC, Snoddy served on the business faculty of Harrison College in Indiana, formerly Indiana Business College, where she served as a Subject Matter Expert in Office 2007, assisting in the college’s migration from Office 2003 to Office 2007, including rewriting their entire introductory database and records management courses covering Access and Outlook 2007.

As a trainer, she’s taught developers and IT Professionals everything from Office to SharePoint, but her specialty is the Information Worker. She’s developed training programs and higher education coursework for companies large and small. She recently assisted the IT team at SMWC as they converted to Exchange Server 2007 by providing faculty and staff training on the Outlook program. She also served as the co-developer of LanTech Training’s IW Training Program in Indianapolis, Ind.

She currently resides in Knightsville, Ind., with her husband, Wade, and son Harrison, along with their St. Bernard, Chloe, and two cats. She is also developing her first courseware offering for Microsoft.

To register for the 2009 MCT Virtual Summit or for more information about the Summit, visit http://www.mctsummit2009.com.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) has received a $3,500 grant from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to participate in a research study on Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit Earning and Student Educational Outcomes. Fifty institutions, representing a range of four-year institutions, community colleges and nontraditional institutions, will participate in the study. Gwen Hagemeyer, director of the Woods External Degree Program, applied for the grant and will lead the project for SMWC.

Prior Learning Assessments such as Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) examinations are standard measures of college-level learning that allow students to earn course credit for their knowledge.

“This is an exceptional opportunity to determine how PLA credits help students progress to graduation and how our college compares to other colleges in promoting these options to students,” Hagemeyer said.

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This year, Terre Haute's professional summer theatre company, Crossroads Repertory Theatre, will feature five members of the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) community.

The first production of the season, Shakespeare's “Much Ado About Nothing,” will open on June 19 and will feature Sharon Ammen, SMWC associate professor of theatre; Whitney Kos, a current SMWC student who is majoring in English education; and Carolyn Rodkey, who graduated from SMWC in 2002 with an individualized major. Widely known as one of Shakespeare's most entertaining comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing,” tells the tale of two unlikely lovers who are simply too wise to woo! The production, which is set in the 1930s and features big band music, promises to be a visual and technological treat for all audiences!

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Graduates of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College's Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology program reunite on campus for the Ministers of Providence Annual Assembly.

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Julie A. Richards, Music Minister and Liturgist for St. John the Evangelist Church in Davison, Mich., has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of religious service. Richards received her Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology (MAPT) degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2008.

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In an effort to give back to those who defend the freedom of the United States of America, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is participating in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program on the undergraduate and graduate levels.

SMWC’s participation in this program, when combined with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, means that all veterans who have served on active duty for at least 36 aggregate months since 9/11 and who meet College admission requirements will have the opportunity to attend SMWC tuition-free.

“This scholarship program reinforces SMWC’s commitment to making quality, private college education affordable and our dedication to those individuals willing to put their lives on the line for our country,” said SMWC President David G. Behrs. “We are excited to be able to assist our veterans with the opportunity to experience the unique value of a Woods education for virtually no out-of-pocket costs to the student.”

Effective August 1 for the 2009-10 school year, SMWC’s participation in this program is made possible by the passage of the new post 9/11 GI Bill. Eligible veterans will receive the cost of tuition and fees, up to the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning.

Because a private education is more costly than a public one, the Veterans Administration has added a new provision to the GI Bill called the Yellow Ribbon Program. Under this provision, SMWC has entered into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to scholarship up to 50% of the cost of tuition and fees that exceed the standard education benefit. The VA will then match the amount of the scholarship – completely covering the cost of tuition and fees for the veteran.

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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College invites you to join in faith formation, food, fun and festivities during the Ministers of Providence 20th Annual Assembly, June 7-9. The event, which will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of SMWC’s Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology (MAPT) Program and the 20th anniversary of the Ministers of Providence Organization, will include a world-class speaker, alumna art exhibit, campus tours, mass and commissioning, prayer, a celebration dinner, awards and a drama performance.

During the assembly, Tom Zanzig, a 1993 graduate of the MAPT program, will present “Spirituality, Religion, and the Struggle for Integrity” After devoting more than 25 years to the development of popular youth ministry and religious education materials, Zanzig is now an independent writer, editor, trainer, retreat director and speaker. In the last few years, he has focused his attention on adult faith formation. His presentation will include conversation about how spirituality and religion interact and complement each other in a healthy and whole person and what it means to live our lives with genuine integrity within an institution that at times seems out of touch with “the real world.”

The Assembly will also feature Sandra Hartlieb, a writer, actress and director, who will bring to life several women from the Bible through a dramatic presentation. In July 2007, she premiered her original play, “In Her Own Words,” which reflected on the life of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin using excerpts from Mother Theodore’s journals and letters. In addition to her theatrical endeavors, she is founder and Artistic Director of Sisterhood Christian Drama Ministry in Indianapolis, Ind. The group is involved in mission outreach to prisons, the military and families, and in August of 2009, the ministry will travel to Kenya, Africa.

Jeanne Tessier, a 2006 graduate of the MAPT program, is a gifted artist, and during the assembly, she will present an exhibit of her latest set of works entitled, “Art as Prayer and Prophecy.” In addition to her artistic talents, Tessier is certified by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and serves as a pastoral care chaplain at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Ky.

Registration fees for the assembly vary but can include housing, meals and activities. For more information, contact Virginia Unverzagt, Ph.D., at vunverzagt@smwc.edu or 812-535-5206.

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