Alumni Club Inducted into Onyx Society
The Terre Haute Alumni Club has made history as the first alumni club to be inducted into the Onyx Society, which is made up of individuals and organizations that have contributed $100,000 to $499,999 in cumulative gifts to the College. The Club’s generosity funds three to four scholarships each year. This accomplishment was officially celebrated at the Donor Appreciation Dinner in October 2017. A commemorative paver will be added outside the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center to honor the club and each of the club presidents.
New Health Services Clinic
An on-site health services clinic in collaboration with Union Health has been added to Rooney Library. Staffed by a nurse practitioner, the facility provides basic health services including flu shots, health assessments and treatments, immunizations and physical exams. The clinic will serve students, faculty, staff, Sisters of Providence and their employees, as well as the communities of West Terre Haute and Saint Mary of the Woods. The Clinic was funded with gifts of $90 thousand from an anonymous foundation and the Union Hospital Foundation.
Master’s Degree in Nursing Announced
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College announced the addition of a master’s degree in nursing to its graduate studies offerings. This program’s being launched with a $250,000 grant from the
Hollie and Anna Oakley Foundation.
The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP) degree program is designed to prepare registered nurses for a career as a family nurse practitioner. The three-year, part-time program requires 44 credit hours of coursework and 500 clinical hours. Students will attend classes on campus once a week.
SMWC Athletic Hall of Fame
Three former student-athletes were inducted into the SMWC Athletic Hall of Fame for 2018. The College recognized the athletic accomplishments of Erin Pugh Lucas ’11 – soccer, Stephanie Martoccio Hughes ’02 – basketball and Jamie Christopher Thomas ’02 – softball. Athletic Director Deanna Bradley said the three represent SMWC well and she was pleased to have had the opportunity to either watch or coach these exceptional women in a variety of sports at SMWC.
Girl Scouts, Lieutenant Governor Honor President King
President Dottie L. King, Ph.D., was awarded the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s Leadership Award for Confidence. She was recognized at the annual Girl Scout Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Luncheon sponsored by Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. President King was presented a pin with the letters CCC for courage, confidence and character. She gave an acceptance speech to an audience of 900 people in the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis on the importance of confidence.
2018 Hoosier Horse Fair
In April, fifteen equine students, as well as Debra Powell, Ph.D., assistant professor of equine studies and Christine Wilkey, MSW, LCSW, associate professor of human services, spent the weekend at the Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo (HHF) in Indianapolis. Students served as host to some of the nation’s top clinicians, such as Chris Cox, Yvonne Barteau, Kateri Cowley and Jesse Peters. This allowed them to network with top equine industry vendors, clinicians and horse enthusiasts. Working at the HHF has often resulted in internship or employment opportunities for Woods equine students. SMWC sponsored the education hall at HHF and Powell gave several lectures on equine massage and acupressure, while Wilkey delivered presentations on equine assisted activities and therapy.
Track and Field Added to Sports Lineup
Women’s and men’s outdoor track and field are joining the ranks of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s athletic offerings for the 2019-20 season. Thanks to a partnership with the Vigo County School Corporation, the Pomeroys will use West Vigo High School’s track and field facilities in West Terre Haute.
The track and field program will give the Pomeroys’ cross country teams an added advantage. Several student-athletes entered spring track events as unattached participants in order to stay in shape and compete at a high-level. This will allow student-athletes to work as a team during an otherwise quiet period.
“The addition of the women’s and men’s track and field teams fulfills another goal in our strategic plan,” said SMWC President Dottie L. King, Ph.D. “Thoughtful addition of athletic teams supports growth and enhances the student experience at The Woods. I am excited and grateful!”
2018 The Great Start Boot Camp
The Great Start Boot Camp was made possible by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education Stan Jones Student Success Grant. It was for first and second year students and was held on March 28, 2018. Students were excused from class to attend and were invited to participate in various workshops on topics such as: digital profiles, how to market yourself, how to achieve your career goals, overcoming public speaking anxiety, connecting to opportunities outside of The Woods, what makes a good leader and dining etiquette.[/one_half_last]
Out of The Woods
In collaboration with the SMWC Alumni Association, the Office of Advancement, Student Life and Career Development Center planned a four part series to target all seniors in both the campus and Woods Online programs. The goal was to arm students with the professional skills they need upon entering the workforce. The four workshops included topics on how to network, how to afford adulting (budgeting/financial planning), how to negotiate a job offer and the fourth event was a reception with the SMWC Board of Trustees to allow for networking and professional connections.
SMWC Students Participate in Community Art Project
The Coca-Cola bottle’s iconic contour design was created by the Terre Haute-based Root Glass Company in 1915. The Vigo County Historical Society and Museum led a Coca-Cola Bottle Sculpture public art project in which SMWC was a sponsor of a large fiberglass Coca-Cola bottle sculpture. Several students spent their Christmas break assisting alum and artist Jody O’ Neil, SP, ’73 in hand-painting a mural on the bottle. They painted acorns and oak trees, as well as some of the images depicting student life on campus. Twenty-seven bottles were painted by various businesses or organizations and displayed at a public reception. SMWC’s bottle is now located on the walkway to the Rooney Library.
After 24 Years, Bradley Steps Down as Head Basketball Coach
Bradley, who established the SMWC women’s basketball program in 1994, the school’s first scholarship athletic program, decided that it was time to step down as head coach. She will remain at SMWC and continue her role as athletic director.
In her tenure as the Pomeroys head coach, Bradley headed the program to a 1999-2000 National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) tournament appearance including finishing as the National Champion Runner-Up. Within the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), five teams have qualified for the Division I USCAA National tournament under Bradley’s direction (2001-02, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2017-18). She has produced 35 USCAA All-Academic student-athletes, three USCAA All-American First Team members, five USCAA All-American Second Team members, four USCAA All-American Honorable Mention members and one GTE (General Telephone and Electronics Corporation) Academic All-American. She has also coached two players who were named to the USCAA All-Tournament team.
Club Sports Added to Student Life Offerings
SMWC is adding club sports to its student life offerings, kicking it off with dance and cycling. An integral part of campus recreation, the club sports program will bridge the gap between intramural sports and intercollegiate athletics. The dance team is a high-energy co-ed team which will deliver plenty of entertainment and school spirit. Dancers will perform at all home basketball games and other special events. The cycling club will offer a variety of opportunities for cyclists with diverse skills and interests throughout the year. These include mountain biking, cyclocross and road biking.