January 1, 2013 Students Compete in Model U.N. Conference (The Observer) A team of 12 students participated in debates and sessions at the American Model United Nations Conference in Chicago last week. Marc Belanger, associate professor of political science, said the students learned about world affairs and how to negotiate effectively in a room full of people. “Our students served on six different [United Nations] committees and councils. Sitting in on those sessions, seeing how the rules work in practice, what makes for effective and ineffective action, and how difficult it really is to get almost 100 countries on the same page, even in a ‘mock’ setting, was really valuable,” Belanger said. January 1, 2013 PADs Project Gets National Attention (Popular Science) Popular Science magazine included mention of the Saint Mary's College/University of Notre Dame PADs project in an article about efforts to combat the problem of counterfeit drugs in the developing world. The PADs or paper analytical devices may be the least expensive method out there to screen for the fake or substandard drugs. The project is mentioned at the end of the article. At Saint Mary's, the PADs project is led by chemistry professor Toni Barstis. January 1, 2013 President Mooney's Op-Ed on $80 Million Campaign (South Bend Tribune) Even the Great Recession couldn't stop the $80 million "Faith Always, Action Now" campaign from getting underway in 2008. Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney says, "If not now, when? If not us, who?" She reminds us in this op-ed that Saint Mary's women ignore obstacles and push forward. January 1, 2013 Magazine Features Student Review of Worker-Friendly Businesses (Sassy) Working mothers are often on what seems like a fruitless quest for work and life balance. Samaritan Counseling Center in South Bend knew there had to be companies that promote balance and for 11 years, it’s recognized local employers with the annual Samaritan Business Award. Molly Dunne ‘13, who majored in humanistic studies and minored in business administration, completed a best practices review paper looking back at companies recognized by Samaritan. Sassy magazine featured her findings. January 1, 2013 "Down the Avenue" Recognizes Service That's "Beyond the Campus" (South... "Down the Avenue," held last Wednesday, honors those who exemplify the College’s mission to prepare women for roles of leadership and action. The event was featured in the South Bend Tribune's "Beyond the Campus" series about what local colleges do to make a difference in the community. Honored at the event for their community service were the late Patricia George Decio, a former member of the College's Board of Regents; Sister Mary Turgi, CSC, who taught and worked at Saint Mary's; and recent graduate Maeva Alexander. January 1, 2013 Saint Mary's and Elkhart Community Schools Announce Partnership Saint Mary's College is proud to announce a partnership with Elkhart Community Schools (ECS) to help create a dynamic and sustained Laboratory School Network for the summer months. The mission of the Laboratory School Network is to simultaneously support learning for ECS students and the professional development for teacher candidates from Saint Mary’s College and IU-South Bend. January 1, 2013 Two SMC Students to Put on Peace Conference at ND (nd.edu) The University of Notre Dame’s 2013 Student Peace Conference will take place April 5-6 at the Hesburgh Center for International Studies. The conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students from the United States and several other countries. Conference chairs are Saint Mary’s College students Anna Boarini ’13, a history, political science and peace studies major; and Cara O’Connor-Combee ’13, an economics and peace studies major. January 1, 2013 Chemistry Professor Honored with Spes Unica Award Saint Mary’s College President Carol Ann Mooney presented chemistry professor Toni Barstis with the Spes Unica Award at Honors Convocation on Sunday, May 5. The Spes Unica Award recognizes a Saint Mary’s College faculty member in terms of teaching, scholarship, and service. January 1, 2013 Marketing Professional on Amazon Drone Deliveries (Fox 28) Could sky robots deliver your Cyber Monday purchases to you within 30 minutes? Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced his company plans to start offering 30-minute deliveries via drone-like "octocopters," perhaps as soon as 2015. Fox 28 asked Karen McDonald '76, assistant vice president of Integrated Marketing Communications at Saint Mary's, for her views on whether this delivery concept is viable. McDonald has more than 30 years of marketing and sales experience, working for companies like Kraft Foods.