January 1, 2011 Students volunteer with Rebuilding Together January 1, 2011 Economics Professor on Rising Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner (WSBT-AM) Let's talk turkey...and stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving food will cost about 13% more than last year. Richard Measell, assistant professor of economics, talks about how to get the most for your money. January 1, 2011 Economics Professor Says Lack of Food in Pantries Sign of Times (WSBT-... Thanksgiving is three weeks away and some local pantries say the cupboards are nearly bare. But why are the pantries in trouble when unemployment is lower than two years ago? Economics professor Jerry McElroy says fewer donations, increasing food costs, and government funding cuts to food banks is part of the story. January 1, 2011 Saint Mary’s to Participate in Banned Books Week Saint Mary’s College will host the first ever on-campus readings of banned books in celebration of Banned Books Week from September 26-30. The readings will take place in the Mother Pauline Room on the second floor of the Cushwa-Leighton Library at the College from 12:15-1:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend. January 1, 2011 Student hosts event to simulate being homeless January 1, 2011 Composer of “Cross of Our Hope” to Speak at Saint Mary's College Saint Mary’s College is proud to host a lecture by Steven Warner, the composer “Cross of Our Hope,” a song that celebrates the tradition of the Congregations of Holy Cross and its founder Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau. “Crafting ‘Cross of Our Hope’: The Story of a Song and Saint Mary’s College” will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26 in Regina Chapel of Regina Hall. The public is invited to attend this free lecture. January 1, 2011 Rachael Chesley ’11 Receives Fulbright Award Saint Mary's College is proud to announce Rachael M. Chesley ’11 of New Lenox, Illinois has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship to Malaysia in English Teaching Assistantship. She is one of over 1,600 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad for the 2011-2012 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Chesley will depart for Malaysia in January. She spent July 13-15 attending the Fulbright Southeast Asia Orientation in Washington D.C. Rachael will use her time between now and January interning with U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R) of Illinois as well as U.S. State Representative Renee Kosel (R) of Illinois’ 81st District. January 1, 2011 High School Women’s Choir Festival The College will host the High School Women’s Choir Festival Thursday-Friday, November 17-18, also in O’Laughlin Auditorium. It is the 27th year that the women’s college has hosted the high school event. The High School Women’s Choir Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day on November 17 and 18. Approximately 800 students will participate with 20 choirs from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Local choirs include Penn High School, Niles High School, Lakeshore High School, La Porte High School, and Concord High School. Each choir will perform three or four pieces and receive written evaluations from commentators. January 1, 2011 Actress Sigourney Weaver's Day on Campus (various media) The Saint Mary’s College Theatre Program welcomed Academy Award nominated actress Sigourney Weaver to campus on September 26 as the 2011/2012 academic year’s Margaret Hill Endowed Visiting Artist. Weaver, known for starring roles in films like Aliens, Gorillas in the Mist and Avatar conducted two master classes with Saint Mary’s College theatre students during the day and held a public lecture in the evening. Her husband Jim Simpson, artistic director of New York City's The Flea Theater , accompanied her and helped conduct the master classes.