Director of Financial Aid on National Student Loan Debt (WSBT-AM) Surging above $1 trillion, U.S. student loan debt has surpassed credit card and auto-loan debt. This debt explosion jeopardizes the fragile recovery, increases the burden on taxpayers and possibly sets the stage for a new economic crisis. Saint Mary's College financial aid director Kathleen Brown offers advice on how to avoid taking on too much debt and how to pay it off. Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Welcomes Key4Women Forum The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) at Saint Mary’s College is proud to welcome back KeyBank’s Key4Women® Forum. The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 23 at the Gillespie Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn, adjacent to campus. Back to School Spending is Up, Says Economist (WNDU-TV) A local TV station interviewed assistant professor of economics Richard Measell about back to school spending, which is up from last year. Surveys say parents are spending more money on clothing, electronics and school supplies. Retailers use this buying period as a gauge for Christmas shopping expectations. " A Bluegrass Mass" Offers Unique Experience of Bluegrass and Choral M... The South Bend Chamber Singers and the bluegrass group Monroe Crossing bring "A Bluegrass Mass" to the stage at O’Laughlin Auditorium at 7:30 p,m. on Sunday, March 4. "A Bluegrass Mass" combines the text of a traditional Catholic Mass, contemporary choral music, poetry, and bluegrass instruments into a unique musical experience. Monroe Crossing will also perform traditional bluegrass music. Belles Shut Out Flying Dutch NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Belles broke through with the only goal of the game in the 16th minute as the Saint Mary's soccer team defeated regionally-ranked Hope 1-0 at home on Saturday afternoon. MIAA Academic Honor Roll 2012 NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Forty individual student-athletes and four teams were honored by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association for their academic performances for the 2011-12 school year. SAAC Valentine's Day Party a Success NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The 2012 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's Valentine's Day party was a big success on Sunday, February 12. Professor on Santorum Leaving Presidential Race (WSBT-AM) Political science professor Sean Savage was on WSBT-TV and WSBT-AM 960 Wednesday morning to give his analysis of Rick Santorum leaving the Republican race for President. This clears the way for a probable Republican nomination of Mitt Romney. Will he get the support of conservatives who see him as too moderate? And who might Romney choose as a running mate? Nursing Students Go "Beyond the Campus" with Pediatric Respite Work (W... Nursing students recently held a Christmas party for families with medically fragile children that are part of College's Pediatric Respite Program. Jayne Kendle, associate professor of nursing, founded the program in 1997. Great example of how Saint Mary's College goes "Beyond the Campus" to make a difference in the community.