On Oct. 17, the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Music and Theatre Department will host “I'm Gonna Sing: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Sr. Sue Pietrus.” This event, which will include a concert and dinner, will honor the memory of Sr. Sue Pietrus, SP, who was beloved as a faculty member and well known as the director of the SMWC Madrigals and the Chorale. Sue went to God on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008.

The concert, which will begin at 3 p.m., is free and open to the public and will be held in the Cecilian Auditorium of the SMWC Conservatory of Music Building. The concert will include performances by the SMWC Chorale and Madrigals as well as the SMWC Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, and there will be a presentation by the theatre area. In addition, several SMWC alumnae are making plans to return to campus to perform with the ensembles.

A silent auction will begin at 2 p.m. and will conclude shortly after the concert.

The dinner, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the Le Fer Ballroom, is $25. A retrospective slideshow will be shown at the conclusion of the dinner. Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will help establish a music scholarship in Sister Sue's name.

Sister Sue was born on May 30, 1951, in Chicago to Raymond and Florence Wielkopolan Pietrus and was baptized Susan Anne. Sue entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Aug. 29, 1975, professed First Vows Aug. 15, 1978, and Final Vows Aug. 19, 1984.

Sister Sue earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master's degree from University of Illinois and a doctorate from University of Southern California. Of her 33 years as a Sister of Providence, Sister Sue ministered in music education for 28 years, teaching at Marywood High School in Orange California for three years and then joining the faculty of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 1980 where she remained until her death.

Donations from the event are being accepted for the Sr. Sue Pietrus Memorial Scholarship. If you'd like to donate to the scholarship, pleasemake your gift online today.

RSVP

To make your dinner reservation, please RSVP by October 12, by contacting Michael Boswell, Assistant Professor of Music at SMWC, by e-mailing mboswell@smwc.edu or by calling (812) 535-5017.