January 2, 2012 TV Comedy Writers Hold Master Classes (The Observer) Legendary TV comedy writers Bill Persky and Tom Leopold entertained students, faculty and staff on Wednesday evening with a discussion panel/master class. Another class is planned for this afternoon and a program this evening, "A Comedy Writer Finds God," is open to the public. It is all part of a two-day visit to the College. Persky is a five-time Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and director who has worked on such iconic television shows as “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Who’s the Boss,” “That Girl” and “The Cosby Show.” Leopold is famous for his writing, story editing and producing for classic television shows such as “Cheers,” “Seinfeld” and “Will and Grace.” January 2, 2012 Christmas Shopping Season Gets a Jump Start (WIBC, Indianapolis) It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...but then it started to feel like it before Halloween. Santa showed up at the mall last week, two weeks before Black Friday. It's a very intentional strategy to get consumers to spend money in a still struggling economy. Richard Measell, assistant professor of economics, was interviewed by WIBC radio in Indianapolis. January 2, 2012 Vatican II Lecture Series by Center for Spirituality The Center for Spirituality (CFS) at Saint Mary’s College proudly announces that the Fall 2012 Fall Lecture Series will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (also known as Vatican II). The series, titled “Roots and Wings: The Legacy of the Second Vatican Council,” will offer insights into a very significant period in the Catholic Church’s history. January 2, 2012 Professor/Chair of Department of History Honored with Maria Pieta Awar... Saint Mary’s College President Carol Ann Mooney presented William Svelmoe, professor and chair of the Department of History, with the Maria Pieta Award at Honors Convocation on Sunday, May 6. The Maria Pieta Award was established in 1976 in honor of Sister Maria Pieta, CSC, who was a teacher and an administrator at Saint Mary’s College. The award recognizes the quality of teaching in courses for freshmen and sophomores. January 2, 2012 Saint Mary’s honors alumnae on Commencement Day (Observer) Commencement Day at Saint Mary’s is more than just a day to celebrate the Class of 2012. It is also a day when the school honors former Saint Mary’s women and people who have made significant contributions to the College. At this year’s Commencement address, Kathleen Flynn Fox, a 1974 alumna, will be presented with an honorary doctor of humanities degree. Susan Fitzgerald Rice, a 1961 alumna, will receive the President’s Medal. January 2, 2012 Paul Named MIAA Co-Player of the Week ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Saint Mary’s forward Ariana Paul and Albion guard Brett deBear its Players of the Week in women’s basketball for games played through Dec. 9. January 2, 2012 Saint Mary’s College holds its Baccalaureate Mass (Fox 28) Saint Mary's College held its Baccalaureate Mass on Friday night on the eve of Commencement. Many Saint Mary’s graduates say they have a job, including Amanda Lester ’12, an Orr Fellow who accepted a job in Indianapolis at TinderBox, a company that provides web-based solutions for businesses. Amanda was interviewed for the story. January 2, 2012 Valencia Named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week ROYAL OAK, Mich. - Saint Mary's junior midfielder Mollie Valencia was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Offensive Player of the Week for her performances leading up to September 30. January 2, 2012 Student Wins Regional Playwriting Award, up for Two National Awards Saint Mary’s College is proud to announce that Emily Schmitt ’12, of Cincinnati, Ohio, won a regional playwriting competition for her play San Luis 1989, and her work will be considered for two national awards. Schmitt, a theatre and philosophy double major with a minor in Spanish, wrote the play over the summer.