"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). Outpouring of Sentiments for Bishop D'Arcy (South Bend Tribune) The news of the passing of Bishop Emeritus John M. D'Arcy led to a flood of outpouring from members of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, which D'Arcy led for 25 years. Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney, in a statement, said D'Arcy himself was an academic, and fully understood the complexities of Catholic higher education. 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." Economist on Low Consumer Confidence and Holiday Shopping (WSBT-TV) A Gallup Poll found shoppers plan to spend less on the Christmas holiday this year compared to 2012. Experts say that means stores are focused on consumer confidence. While Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, some economists and retail experts think the best deals may happen in the coming weeks. Richard Measell, assistant professor of economics and chair of the Department of Business Administration and Economics, was interviewed for this story. College Announces New Director of the Center for Spirituality Saint Mary’s College is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Groppe has joined the College as the director of the Center for Spirituality (CFS). Groppe served as an associate professor of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, teaching there from 2001 to 2013. For the past four years she also served as co-director of Xavier’s Ethics/Religion and Society Program, directing a lecture series that engaged members of the university and the Cincinnati community in interdisciplinary and interfaith exploration of issues of ecology and sustainability. Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership Honored with National Aw... The Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership (CWIL) at Saint Mary’s College has been named the 2012 recipient of the Diversity and Inclusion Award from the National Council for Research on Women (NCRW). NCRW is a network of 120 leading research, policy and advocacy centers committed to improving the lives of women and girls. CWIL will receive the award in June. Valencia Collects NSCAA Academic Honor KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Senior midfielder Mollie Valencia was one of only five MIAA women's soccer players to be named to the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) College Division Women's Scholar All-North/Central Region list. College Announces Major Gifts Director Saint Mary’s College is pleased to announce and welcome Emily James as major gifts director. James brings an energetic and dynamic approach to this position, which she began in September. In her new role, James will initiate and strengthen relationships with donors, resulting in increased investment in the College. Her arrival comes at an opportune time, as the College is in the midst of the $80 million Faith Always, Action Now campaign, the largest in Saint Mary’s history. World Cinema Festival Feb. 11-15 : Women Make Movies 2013 The Saint Mary's College Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership (CWIL) will host the World Cinema Festival: Women Make Movies, Monday, February 11 through Friday, February 15. The award-winning films, which are free and open to the public, will be shown in the Vander Vennet Theatre on the ground level of the Student Center each night at 7 p.m.