January 1, 2012 Two Students Receive Prestigious Orr Fellowships Saint Mary's College is proud to announce that seniors Amanda Lester ’12 and Melissa Jackson ’12 were recently named Orr Fellows. They are the first Saint Mary’s College students to receive this honor. About 25 Orr Fellows are selected each year from a couple thousand applicants to break into the professional world through paid positions with high-growth Indiana companies. January 1, 2012 College Welcomes International Students to Institute (ABC 57) The College welcomed 20 international students to campus for a global institute with an ice cream social last Tuesday. The institute, which began last month, is sponsored by the State Department and the Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership. The goal is to educate the women about women in U.S. politics, history, and leadership. "Burma, Myanmar, Egypt, Libia, Tunisia, Mongolia," said Mana Derakhshani of St. Mary's College. "We're hoping to provide these young women with the tools that they need to go back to their country and make a difference." January 1, 2012 Social Work Professor on Identifying Bullies (WSBT-AM) When news of a shooting at a high school in Ohio this week hit the news, so did reports that the shooter was the victim of bullying. WSBT-AM 960 asked the thought provoking question, how do you know if your child is a bully? Professor Fran Kominkiewicz, chair of the Department of Social Work, answers that question. January 1, 2012 '12 Alumna Recounts Experience on Romney Campaign (monroenews.com) Hannah Biniecki '12 graduated in May with a degree in political science and wasted no time getting involved in the political scene. The former president of the Republican Club on campus found herself working in the Boston campaign headquarters of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The Monroe, Michigan native recounts the experience she'll never forget to her hometown newspaper. January 1, 2012 Grounds Crew Keeps ahead of the Snow (ABC 57) It took a while to get here, but winter has arrived at Saint Mary's College. There has been a string of snow events in the South Bend region over the past week, keeping the grounds crew here busy as they clear the entrances, sidewalks, and drives on the 100 acre campus. Interviewed for this story is Mark Kubacki, director of grounds. January 1, 2012 Dance Marathon 5K "For the Kids" Formerly known as the Trot for Tots, this annual “For the Kids” or FTK run is now called the FT5K. This is the fifth year for the 5K. It will take place on campus at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26. The race will begin at the softball fields on the north end of campus. January 1, 2012 Chemistry Research Team Unveils New Device to Screen for Counterfeit D... Saint Mary’s College's first U.S. patent could result in a very meaningful product for developing countries. With the aid of researchers at Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s researchers developed a paper-based tool that can screen for counterfeit medications. The tool, known as a paper analytical device or PAD, is the size of a business card. January 1, 2012 Sophomore Competes on NBC's "The Voice" (The Observer) Sylvia Yacoub, a sophomore from Muskegon, MI, took off the fall semester to follow a dream. The intended political science and philosophy major tried out for "The Voice" and her audition aired last night. She's on Christina Aguilera's team. See her audition, post messages to her, and follow her on Twitter. January 1, 2012 Wikipedia Stages New Kind of Protest, Notes Professor (Fox 28) Joy Piazza, visiting assistant professor of communication studies, is interviewed about Wikipedia's virtual protest. On Wednesday, the website blacked out the English language version of its website for 24 hours to protest anti-piracy legislation under consideration in Congress. It's an unprecedented move that Piazza likens to the Occupy Movement.