January 1, 2013 Down the Avenue Raises $200K for Scholarship and Volunteer Efforts The fourth Down the Avenue gala at Saint Mary’s College, raised more than $200,000 for the volunteer related purposes at the school. Three-hundred-and-ninety invited business and community leaders, alumnae, and friends attended the event on Wednesday, June 15. Down the Avenue—which was also held in 2002, 2005 and 2007—honors volunteer leadership in the Michiana community; establishes an endowed scholarship for active student volunteers; and raises money to support the programs of the College’s Office for Civic and Social Engagement (OCSE), which facilitates the College’s volunteer efforts in the community. The event is called Down the Avenue in reference to “The Avenue”, which is the street that runs through campus. January 1, 2013 College Announces 2012 Commencement Speaker and Honorees Saint Mary’s College is proud to announce that Mellody Hobson, president of the Chicago-based money management firm Ariel Investments, will deliver the 2012 Commencement Address. She will receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the College. Saint Mary’s will also recognize two alumnae at Commencement: Kathleen Flynn Fox ’74 will receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree and Susan Fitzgerald Rice ’61 will be honored with the prestigious President’s Medal. January 1, 2013 Engineering Students React to Engineering Toy for Girls (Fox 28) One of the hottest toys this holiday season comes from GoldieBlox, a toy company which produces engineering-minded toys for girls. Fox 28 asked a couple of engineering students at this women's college what they think of the ad and the toys. Interviewed were Azunne Anigbo '14, studying chemical engineering, and Hillary Shesterkin '14, studying mechanical engineering. They are enrolled in the Saint Mary's College/University of Notre Dame Dual Degree in Engineering. January 1, 2013 New Director of Facilities Announced at Saint Mary’s College Saint Mary's College is proud to announce that Ben Bowman was promoted this fall from director of energy management to director of facilities. He has been with Saint Mary’s College for over three years. “Ben is a mission oriented individual who looks out for the best interest of the College,” said Vice President for Finance Susan Bolt. January 1, 2013 Student-led Dance Marathon to Raise Funds for Riley Hospital The eighth annual Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon will kick off at noon on Saturday, March 23 in the Angela Athletic Facility. The 12-hour student-led event raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where sick children from around the state find care. The community is invited to attend the Marathon, which will feature music, games, crafts, and other entertainment. Monetary donations are encouraged. January 1, 2013 Author of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" to Speak Saint Mary’s College is proud to welcome Rebecca Skloot, author of the New York Times Bestseller “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” to the College for a speaking engagement on Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium January 1, 2013 Student Studying in Rome and Professor on Pope Francis (WSBT-TV) Saint Mary's College student Nikki Charter '15 is studying abroad in Rome this semester and was in St. Peter's Square when Pope Francis was presented to the world as the leader of the Catholic Church. "It was absolutely indescribable, it was incredible," she said. "You're just standing there looking at him...You have no doubt in your mind how powerful faith and prayer could be." Religious studies professor Joseph Incandela offers his perspectives of the new pope. January 1, 2013 "Faith Always, Action Now" Tri-chair and Husband Challenge Others to G... The public phase of the $80 million Faith Always, Action Now campaign for Saint Mary’s College launched Friday with festivities that included a stage and video presentation in O’Laughlin Auditorium and a dinner in the Noble Family Dining Hall. The evening included some surprises, including the announcement of a fundraising challenge by Sarah Belanger Earley ’71, a campaign tri-chair, and her husband, Tony Earley (ND ’71). January 1, 2013 Nursing Student on Sidelines with Notre Dame at Championship (Erie.com... Laura Krahe's interest in joining a college club has taken her on an unexpected path -- all the way to college football's national championship game. Krahe, a senior nursing student, told her hometown newspaper in Erie, PA, "One day during my freshman year they had clubs available for students of both schools," she said. "They chose seven out of fifteen to become full-time student trainers, and I was selected to work with the football team."