The Woods

Click on the flyer for more details about the bake sale!

http://www.spsmw.org/providence-center/events/2011-bake-sale.aspx

Popularity: 14% [?]

By Emma Campbell
Editor-in-Chief
ecampbell3@smwc.edu

The Woods recently received a letter from a student expressing concerns about the paper. As much as we would like to publish it in this issue, as we do all our letters, we are unable to do so because the author did not submit her name.
While we can’t run an unsigned letter, I’ll try to address the issues raised by the author.
The letter expressed a deep concern for the integrity and overall design of the paper, especially in the presidential inauguration coverage. Specifically, the writer felt the coverage was a “disservice” to President Dottie King. The writer suggests adding quotes from guests at the ceremony and more pictures.
The writer also expressed concern about incomplete coverage of campus, including the lack of sports stories and too few staff members contributing stories. The author feels that advertisements are used to “fill pages.”
The student also expressed concern about smudging and poor print quality in the paper. The message of the letter is concern about an overall decline in quality of the paper.
In the interest of clarity, I will say that our paper is printed off campus, formerly at the Danville, Ill., Commercial News and now at the Tribune-Star in Terre Haute. We have no control over smudges or other print flaws.
But every other issue raised by the letter writer is feedback that we, as a staff, take seriously.
Furthermore, several of the concerns of the writer are concerns that our staff shares.
We have 11 students listed as staff writers, including our managing editor, Jade Scott. Of those students, about five contribute every week – a very small number to cover the entire campus. To remedy this, we advertise to fill open positions. We need more people to shoot pictures, write stories, help with layout and design and our website content. We invite the letter writer and anyone else who wants a strong newspaper to contribute to it. The more, the better.
Layout and design takes place over three days. I personally spend about four or so hours each night on the paper. Again, more copy editors and page designers are always welcome.
As for the advertisements, let me explain how they work. The Woods newspaper, in an effort to focus our community involvement to our campus and local community, only takes advertisements from campus based programs. Most of them come from the Sisters of Providence.  Ad sales help pay for newspaper expenses, including equipment and training.
I hope that addresses some of the particular concerns of the letter’s author. We love to receive feedback from readers. Our staff needs to be held accountable when we make mistakes, when we don’t print quality material, when we don’t adequately cover events.
There are many areas where we fall short, and there are many areas in which this paper can improve. We take on each new issue with the attitude that it should be better than the last, as we all learn and grow in our skills.
If you are a reader who would like to take us to task, share your thoughts or just drop us a line, below is our policy:
E-mail comments with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line to newsroom@smwc.edu.
Be sure to include at the bottom of your e-mail your name and a phone number where we can verify your identity. We do this to reduce the chances of anyone impersonating someone else.
We reserve the right to edit letters for space or for legal considerations, including libel. We do not publish mass-mailed letters from activist groups or companies.
We do not publish anonymous letters or those written under a pseudonym.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Nov. 11

SMWC competes at USCAA
Nationals Cross Country Meets @           Lake Placid, NY
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Campus Visit Day
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rooney Library Lobby
4 Fun Photos and Sean Bott
4 p.m.-9 p.m.
Rooney Library Room 126

Nov. 12 & 13

Equestrian Hunt Seat Shows
9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Nov. 16

Senior Thesis Exhibition:
Camille Larrick & Ashley Logan
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Hulman Hall 130

Nov. 17

GreenTown Conference
8:40 a.m – 4:30 p.m.
ISU

Nov. 18

Senior Thesis Exhibition:
Camille Larrick & Ashley Logan
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 19

Equestrian Hunt Seat Shows
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Stables
SMW Basketball vs Judson College
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Home

Nov. 20

Equestrian Hunt Seat Shows
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Stables

Nov. 21-22 & 28-30

Senior Thesis Exhibition:
Camille Larrick & Ashley Logan
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 23 – 27

Thanksgiving Break
Campus Closed

Popularity: 11% [?]

Our Green Valley Alliance and Indiana State University will sponsor GreenTown in Terre Haute on Nov. 16-17.
The event will feature keynote presentations from Dr. Richard Jackson, Author and Chair of the School of Public Health at University of California, Los Angeles, whose work focuses on the ‘built environment,’ including how architecture and urban planning affect health. and Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kan., whose town rebuilt using  green technology after a devastating tornado.
GreenTown will be held at University Hall, 401 North 7th Street, Indiana State University.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Volunteers are needed to read the names of fallen veterans for Remembrance Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Volunteers will read names from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the flagpole in front of Rooney Library.
Readers will announced names in 15-minute intervals. To volunteer, e-mail Malia Hoffman at MHoffman@smwc.edu with your availability.
National Roll Call is sponsored by NASPA Veterans Knowledge Community and Student Veterans of America. NASPA represents more than 12,000 administrators in higher education and Student Veterans of America has more than 400 chpaters at colleges and universities nationwide.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College kicks off its Four-Star Series as National Players, the nation’s longest running classical touring company, performs its unique take on John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” on Nov. 10, in the Cecilian Auditorium on campus at 7 p.m.
The story tells of the unlikely and unusual friendship of George Milton and Lennie Small, two ranch workers in Depression-Era California.  This tragic and endearing story will touch hearts, spark imaginations and open minds to new levels of compassion.
National Players is an esteemed company, making literature come alive for its audiences by engaging their minds and imaginations with fresh, contemporary interpretations of classics.  Last year, the company performed Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on campus.
The Four-Star Series offers a diverse spectrum of performing arts and esteemed speakers who inspire, challenge and stimulate the imagination. The series has presented world-renowned lectures, musicians and productions. All events are free of charge and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.smwc.edu/headlines/four-star-series.
– SMWC Office of College Relations

Popularity: 13% [?]

A former church is being remodled and trasformed in order to become the new Next Step Foundation’s women’s recovery center.
Founding members are Amanda Koerner, Dana and Ron Simons, Cathy Hobbs, and Heather Rollins.
The Next Step Foundation provides a home environment to help women who are in recovery for drug and alcohol addictions.
Their goal is to provide an environment where women can find support and structure  in order to successfully continue in their recovery.
The foundation follows the spiritual principles underlying the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and similar groups.
The facility can house up to 24 residents and two staff members at a time. They are currently looking for monetary and donated items in order to prepare the building.

To Become a ‘Foundational Forty’ Partner:
The following monthly financial gifts are needed to cover all the basic necessities to support 26 women:

10 partners to give $25 per month
10 partners to give $50 per month
10 partners to give $100 per month
10 partners to give $150 per month

To join as a partner, contact the Next Step Foundation.
Phone: 1-866-779-7723
E-mail: info@nextsteptoday.org
Website: www.nextsteptoday.org

Donation Items Needed

couches
lounge chairs
12 dressers
12 bunk beds
24 twin size mattresses
24 comforter sets
24 pillows
2 washers and dryers
2 vacuum cleaners
1 carpet cleaner
2 televisions
games
1 refrigerator
1 paper shredder
computers
48 plates, cups, bowls
24 sets of silverware

To donate items, call (866) 779-7723 to arrange pick-up or drop-off at 619 Washington Ave., Terre Haute.

Popularity: 11% [?]

By Grace Dubrowski
Staff Writer

Witches, vampires, police men, and even a stick of juicy fruit gum stalked the halls of Le Fer hall on Oct. 26 for  the Sophomore-Freshmen Leadership Council (SFLC) event, Trick-or-Treating.
This event was created for students attending the Wabash Valley’s elementary schools, staff and faculty children, and children of Woods students.
This is the 14th year that SFLC has sponsored a Halloween event on the campus of SMWC.
For the past four years this Halloween event has consisted only of trick-or-treating in Le Fer Hall. However, this year’s SFLC decided to do something new.
“This year we hosted a Halloween party, which was something new for all of us since this hasn’t been done for a couple of years,” said Kirstin Strow, president of SFLC for the 2011-2012 school year.  “Along with candy that was set out at each RA table, we also purchased prizes.”
The most positive outcome of the event was that it brings the SMWC community together to make the event work, said Strow.
But what are some of the benefits of this event for the participants?
Of course, for the children who walk door to door, their biggest prize is a bag filled to the brim with candy.
But, there are some perks to the evening that don’t come in brightly colored wrappers, especially for the parents of the trick-or-treaters.
“I know that my children will be in a safe and protected environment when I bring them here for trick-or-treating,” said Jacqueline Forrester, who has brought her two children to the event for the past three years.
“Plus, they say they always get more candy here then they do in our own neighborhood on Halloween, so it’s a win-win,” she said.
Kevin Greene, a single father, and his four-year-old daughter were newcomers to SFLC’s trick-or-treating this year.
“I plan on bringing her back here every year that we can,” Greene said. “The girls passing out candy were so friendly and welcoming to her. The students were great role models for my daughter, even if she only gets to interact with them for a few seconds as she puts her hand in a candy bowl.”
For the SMWC students who pass out candy in the halls, the evening has a whole other set of positives.
Noelle Hingsbergen, freshmen at the Woods, talks about the nostalgia she experienced through the event.
“Being in college, we are no longer little kids who go out trick-or-treating with our families,” she said.  “I got to relive part of my memories through giving out candy to the little kids. I may not have the Halloweens that I used to, but it helps to participate and still be part of the night that is known and loved by everyone.”

Popularity: 14% [?]

By Anna Spydell
Staff Writer

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College lost a longtime staple of its community this month when Sister Ruth Eileen Dwyer, known affectionately to her colleagues as “Ruthie”, passed away on Oct. 7 at the age of 86.
Born in Chicago, on Oct. 19, 1925, Dwyer grew up attending parochial schools for both her elementary and secondary education before taking her vows Aug.15, 1946.
She held a degree in business from SMWC, a master’s of theology from St. Xavier, and a doctor of ministry from St. Mary of the Lake University.
At the Woods, she served as a professor of theology and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, among a variety of other administrative positions from 1967 to 2004.
One of her former colleagues, English professor and soccer coach, Mike Aycock, characterized her as being “full of energy and optimism”, and recalled this anecdote about Dwyer:
“I once asked her advice on who we might be able to get as a guest speaker on the topic of student development. She didn’t hesitate to suggest that I call the person many considered the foremost authority in the U.S., Arthur Chickering, and ask if he would spend some time consulting with us. Armed with her confidence, I called. He rearranged his schedule, came to spend a few days at the Woods, and invited us to be part of a larger study of adult learners. I learned a valuable lesson about expecting the best.”
In addition to being a valued colleague and sometimes mentor to her coworkers, many knew her also as a friend.
“Ruthie was always just a good friend to everyone and a true leader on this campus,” said business professor DJ Wasmer. “[I] miss her a lot.”
Previously having resided at Woodland Inn, Dwyer was moved to Mother Theodore Hall as her health declined.
Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Oct. 14.
She is survived by her younger sister, Claudette, and her younger brother, David and she leaves behind a legacy of leadership at the Woods that will be remembered for years to come.
“Sister Ruth Eileen embodied the principal that every person should undertake the kind of spiritual exploration that theology could provide,” stated Aycock. “Her life as a teacher, scholar, administrator, and more exemplified a remarkable balance of faith and intellectual life. It remains a beacon for me.”

Popularity: 13% [?]

By Amira Jaradat
Staff Writer

On Oct. 29, the peaceful conservatory that students have grown accustomed to was transformed.
The corridors were bathed in ominous red and green light. Chairs were overturned. Screams punctuated the night. And student actors, struck with “an unidentified virus,” took to the halls to startle visitors and Woodsies alike at the Music and Theatre Department’s second annual Haunted Conservatory.
“We’ve definitely upped our game this year,” said Nicole Wieg, one of the event’s organizers. “The theme is that everyone at The Woods is coming down with a horrible disease…As you go through, the disease gets worse and worse and it decays the body.”
Visitors to the Haunted Conservatory were first treated to a short film, produced by music and theatre students, explaining that a mysterious outbreak had hit the students of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Once the mood was set, they were escorted upstairs, where they were confronted with pale, diseased-looking students. Some called out for help; others vomited into buckets, squirmed on the floor and feverishly pounded on the piano.

Photo by: Amira Jaradat/ The Woods

“It was better than last year because it was actually at night,” said Katelyn Watson as she waited in line to watch the film and visit the second floor for the second time. “I loved the way they decorated because it looked like it was chaos.”
“It’s been so much fun,” said Wieg. “This really made people who don’t usually get to work together come together to work on a unified project.”
Although she acknowledges that it’s harder for students to go through the Haunted Conservatory with “an objective eye” when they recognize many of the actors, she believes that, this year, they have improved on their concept.
“We learned a lot from last year,” said Nicole Gilberti, co-organizer of the Haunted Conservatory. “We started working as soon as we got back in the fall.”
Students involved in the event have been meeting once a week to plan the event.
“It took us a while to put a floor plan together,” said Gilberti. Students were then assigned roles, depending partly on their personalities. Make-up, done by Kelsie Uselman, took each actor’s character, position and the available lighting into account.
Gilberti, a music therapy senior, first wanted to hold the Haunted Conservatory as a way to inspire other students to come up with their own creative fundraising projects. However, she now plans to also turn the Haunted Conservatory into her senior project.
“I’ve got the videos, my notes, the layouts, and I want to compile them into a DVD explaining the step-by-step process,” she said.
Although entry was free to the public, donations were accepted at the door for the SMWC Madrigal’s tour of France, scheduled for May of next year.

Photo by: Amira Jaradat/ The Woods

The tour, entitled “France: Returning to Our Roots,” will take the Madrigals back to Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s homeland and expose the students to what came before the establishment of The Woods’ own community.
“We’ll be singing in the church in Ruille, the home of the Sisters of Providence in France,” said Michael Boswell, Madrigals director. “Mother Theodore prayed at that alter the night before they left.”
The Madrigals also plan on performing in Etables-sur-Mer, Mother Theodore’s birthplace.
“I’m hoping that it will be eye opening and life changing,” Boswell said.
According to Gilberti, the Music and Theatre Department plans to kick its fundraising into “high gear” next semester as the Madrigals’ departure date draws closer.
In the meantime, the department plans to continue putting a donation bucket out at concerts.
“We don’t expect it to pay for the whole trip, but it’s something to help us move forward,” said Wieg.
If you are interested in donating toward the Madrigal’s tour or are planning on joining chorale next semester and would like to participate in the tour, please contact Michael Boswell at mboswell@smwc.edu.

Popularity: 22% [?]