Monday Morning Update

February 23, 2009

Salameno Lecture: Now in its third year, the Salameno Lecture will feature renowned Lincoln scholar Frank Williams in an exploration of what lessons in leadership we can draw from the 16th president's experience as a politician and lawyer. The Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, Williams will speak in the Martin Institute at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Given the many recent media comparisons between presidents Obama and Lincoln, this free, public lecture is timely.

Alden Challenge: Thanks to 38 new gifts from alumni, parents and friends, the College has raised $636,250 toward the new Science Center. For surpassing the $600,000 figure, we will also receive a special $200,000 grant from the Alden Trust, a Worcester-based philanthropy. In the past, the Aldren Trust has made gifts in support of computers, the MacPháidín Library, and science equipment. A big, grateful Thank You goes to the Alden Trust for its continued backing and to our donors whose generosity helped us to secure this major challenge grant.

Sounds of Music: Acclaimed composer Gwyneth Walker will be on campus in March for a three-day residency to advise and guide Music Program students and faculty. Sponsored by the New England Foundation for the Arts Meet the Composer/New England program, Dr. Walker will participate in rehearsals and master classes. Started in 2007, the Music Program is on the move with more than 150 students involved with the Concert Band, Collegiate Chorale, Chamber Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and Piano Class. For more on this story, visit here.

Theater Arts: Recently, five theater students participated in the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Region 1 Theatre Festival. One of those students, Allison Cirbus '10, will present her play A Mirror Image at the Ten Minute Student Play Festival in the Martin Institute tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Still Life Art: The Cushing-Martin Gallery's latest exhibition Still features still life paintings and drawings by contemporary artists Matt Noonan '91 and Gwen Strahle. An English major and a psychology minor, alumnus Noonan teaches in the Writing Program at Northeastern University and holds an MFA in painting from MassArt. The exhibition runs until Friday, April 3.

Lenten Reflections: Following the popularity of the Advent/Christmas reflections by members of the Stonehill community, the Mission Division will begin posting a series of Lenten Reflections on the homepage of the College's website, starting Ash Wednesday. The work of the Mission Division was recently the subject of a front page article in Fall River's diocesan newspaper, The Anchor. To read the article, which touches on our spiritual outreach to students, visit here.