January 2, 2013 Keeping Holiday Spending in Check (WNDU-TV) The holiday shopping season brings out the best and worst in us. We love the thought of giving to those we love, but often tend to over spend, digging ourselves into a financial hole. The average American will spend more than $700 on Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. And that amount could go up, as the National Retail Federation predicts a strong holiday retail forecast for this year. Joyce Hicks, associate professor of business and marketing who teaches a popular financial literacy course, shared ways to prepare financially for the holiday season. January 2, 2013 Nursing Professor's Graduate Work Published in Study (The Observer) Results released recently from a Loyola University Chicago study suggest that vitamin D supplements can help decrease pain in women suffering from type-2 diabetes and depression. Mary Byrn, assistant professor of nursing at Saint Mary’s, was a member of the study’s original research team and said she has been involved in research since graduate school. “I got involved in that study as a graduate research assistant,” Byrn said. “My area of work is [obstetrics] — labor and delivery — so since it’s women, it fit into my area.” January 2, 2013 Palmer '13 Receives Lumen Christi at Commencement (mlive.com) At Commencement, Elizabeth “Liz” Palmer of Grand Blanc, MI received the Lumen Christi Award, the highest student honor at Saint Mary’s College. She majored in biology and psychology and minored in religious studies. The recipient of the award is traditionally someone who has excelled in leadership and loyalty to Saint Mary’s and whose presence has had a profound effect on the College community. The name of the recipient is not revealed until her name is read at Commencement. January 2, 2013 Students Host Winter Wonderland for Area Children (WNDU-TV) Santa traveled all over the Michiana area one recent weekend, including Saint Mary's College. Students hosted their fourth Annual Winter Wonderland. It's an event for families and children to celebrate the holidays along with the center for the homeless, Robinson Community Center and the South Bend Public School Corporation. It was organized by the Student Activities Board. January 2, 2013 Oct. 30 Halloween Chemistry Magic Show Previewed (WNIT-TV) It’s no trick. Learning about science is a treat! Saint Mary’s College chemistry students, dressed as mad scientists, will host a Halloween Magic Show for South Bend-area children on campus at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 30. The event will be held in Haggar College Center. Interviewed on the WNIT-TV (PBS) show "Experience Michiana" were Kayode Oshin, assistant professor of chemistry, and Kate Bussey '15, a chemistry major. January 2, 2013 Belles Swept by Top-Ranked Knights NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's volleyball team was swept by No. 1 ranked Calvin on Saturday by 25-13, 25-15, 25-16 scores. January 2, 2013 Trio of Belles Earn NFCA Scholar-Athlete Distinction LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three members of the 2013 Saint Mary's softball team earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for their academic performance last year. January 2, 2013 Screening of Film “Girl Rising” The Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) at Saint Mary’s College invites the public to view "Girl Rising," a groundbreaking feature film about the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to transform societies. The movie presents the remarkable stories of nine girls around the world, told by celebrated writers and voiced by renowned actors. Through powerful storytelling a simple, critical truth is revealed — educate girls and the world will change. There is no cost to attend the movie, which will be shown at the College on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 5:15 p.m. January 2, 2013 Report Shows Girls Need Encouragement in STEM (Indiana Public Media) Indiana Public Media ran a thorough piece on some of the findings of "The Status of Girls in Indiana 2013" report that Saint Mary’s College released in September which shows that girls’ performance in math and science wanes somewhere between grade school and high school. Interviewed for this story was Kristin Jehring Kuter, assistant professor of mathematics, the lead faculty member on the report, as well as three female high school students who are part of a robotics team at their high school. To download a copy of The Status of Girls in Indiana report, go to:saintmarys.edu/StatusOfGirls