January 1, 2013 New Director of Facilities Announced at Saint Mary’s College Saint Mary's College is proud to announce that Ben Bowman was promoted this fall from director of energy management to director of facilities. He has been with Saint Mary’s College for over three years. “Ben is a mission oriented individual who looks out for the best interest of the College,” said Vice President for Finance Susan Bolt. January 1, 2013 Student-led Dance Marathon to Raise Funds for Riley Hospital The eighth annual Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon will kick off at noon on Saturday, March 23 in the Angela Athletic Facility. The 12-hour student-led event raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where sick children from around the state find care. The community is invited to attend the Marathon, which will feature music, games, crafts, and other entertainment. Monetary donations are encouraged. January 1, 2013 Student Studying in Rome and Professor on Pope Francis (WSBT-TV) Saint Mary's College student Nikki Charter '15 is studying abroad in Rome this semester and was in St. Peter's Square when Pope Francis was presented to the world as the leader of the Catholic Church. "It was absolutely indescribable, it was incredible," she said. "You're just standing there looking at him...You have no doubt in your mind how powerful faith and prayer could be." Religious studies professor Joseph Incandela offers his perspectives of the new pope. January 1, 2013 Author of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" to Speak Saint Mary’s College is proud to welcome Rebecca Skloot, author of the New York Times Bestseller “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” to the College for a speaking engagement on Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium January 1, 2013 "Faith Always, Action Now" Tri-chair and Husband Challenge Others to G... The public phase of the $80 million Faith Always, Action Now campaign for Saint Mary’s College launched Friday with festivities that included a stage and video presentation in O’Laughlin Auditorium and a dinner in the Noble Family Dining Hall. The evening included some surprises, including the announcement of a fundraising challenge by Sarah Belanger Earley ’71, a campaign tri-chair, and her husband, Tony Earley (ND ’71). January 1, 2013 Outpouring of Sentiments for Bishop D'Arcy (South Bend Tribune) The news of the passing of Bishop Emeritus John M. D'Arcy led to a flood of outpouring from members of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, which D'Arcy led for 25 years. Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney, in a statement, said D'Arcy himself was an academic, and fully understood the complexities of Catholic higher education. January 1, 2013 Nursing Student on Sidelines with Notre Dame at Championship (Erie.com... Laura Krahe's interest in joining a college club has taken her on an unexpected path -- all the way to college football's national championship game. Krahe, a senior nursing student, told her hometown newspaper in Erie, PA, "One day during my freshman year they had clubs available for students of both schools," she said. "They chose seven out of fifteen to become full-time student trainers, and I was selected to work with the football team." January 1, 2013 Economist on Low Consumer Confidence and Holiday Shopping (WSBT-TV) A Gallup Poll found shoppers plan to spend less on the Christmas holiday this year compared to 2012. Experts say that means stores are focused on consumer confidence. While Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, some economists and retail experts think the best deals may happen in the coming weeks. Richard Measell, assistant professor of economics and chair of the Department of Business Administration and Economics, was interviewed for this story. January 1, 2013 College Announces New Director of the Center for Spirituality Saint Mary’s College is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Groppe has joined the College as the director of the Center for Spirituality (CFS). Groppe served as an associate professor of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, teaching there from 2001 to 2013. For the past four years she also served as co-director of Xavier’s Ethics/Religion and Society Program, directing a lecture series that engaged members of the university and the Cincinnati community in interdisciplinary and interfaith exploration of issues of ecology and sustainability.