January 1, 2014 Valedictorian and Commencement Speaker Announced (The Observer) This week, Saint Mary’s College announced details of its 167th Commencement, which will take place at noon on Saturday, May 17 on Le Mans Green in front of the iconic Le Mans Hall. The 2014 valedictorian is Brianne Michaels, a computational mathematics major from Valparaiso, Ind. The Commencement speaker is Judith Mayotte, a humanitarian, professor, author, and Emmy Award-winning television producer. January 1, 2014 Professor on Primary Results for 2nd Congressional District (South Ben... The South Bend Tribune interviewed political science professor Sean Savage about Joe Bock, the new Democratic nominee for Congress in the 2nd District. Savage notes that Bock faces a tough road ahead in his attempt to unseat incumbent Republican Jackie Walorski in the fall. Add to that the fact the 2nd District has been redrawn to favor a Republican candidate, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers the race a long shot, and it's clear the odds are not in Bock's favor. January 1, 2014 South Bend Chamber Singers to Share “The Beauty of Brahms” The South Bend Chamber Singers (SBCS) will conclude its 25th anniversary with a concert entitled The Beauty of Brahms to be held on Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Church of Our Lady of Loretto on the Saint Mary’s campus. Artists will include soprano and Saint Mary's College music professor Laurel Thomas, and baritone Stephen Lancaster, a professor at the University of Notre Dame. January 1, 2014 Racial Justice/Responsibility—A Catholic Perspective The Center for Spirituality (CFS) at Saint Mary’s College announces an upcoming lecture titled “Crossing the Color Line: A Catholic Perspective on Racial Justice and Responsibility” by Christopher Pramuk, associate professor of Theology at Xavier University and author of “Hope Sings, So Beautiful: Graced Encounters Across the Color Line.” The talk will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. in Stapleton Lounge. January 1, 2014 Meet One of the First Global Studies Graduates (South Bend Tribune) Sara Napierkowski is part of this spring’s first graduating class of global studies majors at Saint Mary’s College. The native of Bethlehem, Pa., will graduate with a double major in Italian and global studies, and a concentration in global business. She’ll be among the graduates at Saint Mary’s commencement ceremony today. January 1, 2014 Jasmine Guy Performs in “Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odysse... Saint Mary’s College will welcome award-winning actress, singer, and dancer Jasmine Guy and the critically-acclaimed Avery Sharpe Trio to campus on Thursday, September 18 for their performance of “Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey.” The production honors the legendary voices of the Harlem Renaissance through text, song, music, movement, and imagery. January 1, 2014 This English Course is a Ball! (South Bend Tribune) This one-credit (and wildly popular) English literature course taught by professor Rosalind Clark introduces students to the dances of novelist Jane Austen's time, the early 19th century. Students learn basic steps, patterns, and dance types. The course ends with a ball, which was held off campus recently. Since Saint Mary's is a women's college, some male professors put on their dancing shoes to give the ball a more authentic look. January 1, 2014 Molière’s 350-year-old “The Misanthrope” Gets a Modern Twist The Saint Mary’s College Department of Communication Studies, Dance, and Theatre is proud to present a modern adaptation of Molière’s “The Misanthrope” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, November 12-14 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 16.The French comedy, written in 1666, is about love, friendships, gossip, and rumors — human themes that transcend time and place. While the names of the characters and the script remain as Molière penned them, the setting has been changed from a king’s court to a modern-day nightclub called The Misanthrope. In another modern twist, characters use texts and social media to deliver some lines and communicate their thoughts. #SMCmisanthrope January 1, 2014 Saint Mary’s to Host Fulbright Women for Seminar Saint Mary’s College is proud to announce that it will host a Fulbright Women’s Re-entry Seminar from April 9 to 13. Approximately 45 international Fulbright graduate students from Latin America and the Caribbean will attend. The re-entry seminar will allow participants to explore issues related to women's leadership, as well as cultural, gender, and professional re-entry challenges they may encounter upon return to their home countries.