News

• Talk by Lead Scientist of Team that Discovered NY African Burial Ground | November 19
  The lead scientist on the team that made what has been called one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the United States—the New York African Burial Ground—will speak at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Dr. Michael Blakey, the SMCM Anthropology Department’s 2008 Distinguished Scholar lecturer, will speak at 4:45 p.m. in the Cole Cinema of the Campus Center. For more information, contact Julia King, 240-895-4398. The talk is sponsored by the SMCM Department of Anthropology and the Africa and African Diaspora Studies Program.  See full press release.
• Don Stapleson and St. Mary's Jazz Combo Perform | November 21
  The St. Mary’s Jazz Combo will perform on Friday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. in Montgomery Hall 25 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). Under the direction of Don Stapleson, the Jazz Combo will perform various pieces from the jazz repertoire. This concert is free and open to the public. See full press release.
• Psychology Professor Wins Arc Award for Groundbreaking Research on Families | November 18
  A St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) psychology professor known for her groundbreaking research on raising children with developmental disabilities is the recipient of the Arc of the United States’ 2008 Distinguished Research Award. Dr. Laraine M. Glidden was presented the award during the Arc’s National Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Nov. 7. Her research demonstrates that both adoptive and birth families are, by and large, extremely resilient and find great rewards in meeting the challenges of raising children with special needs. This proved to be true for families who had children with Down syndrome and also for those with children with other kinds of developmental disabilities.  See full press release.
• Kiplinger’s Magazine Ranks SMCM #2 in Maryland For ‘Best Value in Public Colleges’ | November 10
  Its outstanding academic quality and affordable price tag have once again put St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) in Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine’s top 100 “best values in public colleges for the 2008-2009 school year.” Kiplinger’s newly published rankings place SMCM at number two in Maryland for best value, behind only the University of Maryland, College Park. The college’s 2009 ranking nationally is 32 for in-state, up 10 places since the last Kiplinger’s ratings were published early this year.  See full press release.
• Capital Design Advisory Group Meeting | November 13
  The St. Mary’s College and Historic St. Mary’s City Capital Design Advisory committee (CDA) meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Cinema in the St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Campus Center. Free transportation by van to and from the meeting, within a 20-minute radius of St. Mary’s City, may be arranged by calling 240-895-2200. The meeting will give an overview of historic campus and the Maryland Heritage Project, as well as of the environmental and historical stewardship programs. There will be status reports on Anne Arundel Hall, the Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center, and the footbridge. Community members are encouraged to attend.  See full press release.
• Former Ambassador to Israel Speaks on Europe-Israeli Partnership | November 10
  Former U.S. Ambassador Samuel Lewis, who worked in the Clinton Administration during the critical Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David in 2000, will give a lecture entitled, “Europe and Israel: Awkward Historical Partners,” at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) on Monday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. in Cole Cinema at the Campus Center. Lewis will focus on the complexities of this challenging relationship and also talk about his experiences during the Camp David talks. The lecture is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Democracy and is free and open to the public.  See full press release.
• Symposium on Democracy in Europe Continues with Films and Lecture Series | Nov. 3 and Nov. 10
  The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Center for the Study of Democracy continues its international program offerings with the Symposium on Democracy in Old and New Europe: From Oxford to Istanbul, which is made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon foundation. The symposium explores current social and political issues facing European countries and the history of democracy and dictatorship in Europe, with a special focus on European Union enlargement. As part of the 2008-2009 symposium series, the Center for the Study of Democracy presents the following upcoming films and lectures.  See full press release.
• 100th Birthday Celebration for Composers Olivier Messiaen and Elliot Carter | November 6
  The Guest Artist Recital Series at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) will honor the life and works of American composer Elliot Carter, who celebrates his 100th birthday this year.  See full press release.
• VOICES Presents Ana Maria Spagna | November 13
  Essayist and fiction writer Ana Maria Spagna will read from her most recent works as part of the English Department’s VOICES Reading Series on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 8:15 p.m. in Daugherty-Palmer Commons at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM).  The first book, entitled, Test Ride on the Sunnyland Bus, explores her father’s role in the early Civil Rights movement.  She will also read from her collection of nature essays, Now Go Home: Wilderness, Belonging, and the Crosscut Saw, named the Best Books of 2004 by The Seattle Times.  The reading is free and open to the public.  See full press release.
• SMCM Choir and Chamber Singers Perform in Washington, D.C. | November 9
  The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) chamber singers will perform Sunday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Under the direction of SMCM provost and music professor Larry Vote, the St. Mary’s College chamber singers will present various works by Maurice Durufle, including “Quatre Motets,” “Suite for Organ,” and “Requiem.”  Featured soloists are the St. Ann’s music director, Robert Bright, organist; Paul Skevington organist; Patricia Simmons, mezzo soprano; and Victor White, baritone.  The St. Ann’s Catholic Church is located at 4001 Yuma Street, NW.  This concert is free and open to the public.  See full press release.
• Dr. Henry Miller is Granted First Maryland Heritage Fellowship Award | October 28
  Historic St. Mary’s City’s director of research, Dr. Henry Miller, was recently granted the first Maryland Heritage Fellowship at Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC). The two-year fellowship will provide opportunities for Miller to work with the other Maryland Heritage Fellowship recipient, senior dean for the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies’ (CMRS) Dr. Nicholas Crowe, on projects that will strengthen the relationship between St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), HSMC, and CMRS at Oxford University.  See full press release.
• “Liberating Shakespeare in Prison”: A Lecture by Agnes Wilcox | October 20
  Agnes Wilcox, founder and artistic director of Prison Performing Arts, will present a public lecture entitled, “Liberating Shakespeare in Prison” in the Cole Cinema of the Campus Center at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). The lecture is Monday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m. Prison Performing Arts is a non-profit organization based in St. Louis that works with adults and youth in the Missouri criminal and juvenile justice systems. The organization provides the opportunity for current and former inmates to participate in the performing arts as artists, students, and audience members.  See full press release.
• Biochemistry Major Wins Car In Toyota of Southern Maryland’s ‘Starving Student’ Contest | posted October 20
  Jocelyn Henderson probably never would have expected that a 1996 Toyota Camry worth about $4,000 would be the stuff of dreams come true, but it seems that’s the case. The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) student and mother of two young children won the car in the “Starving Student” Contest sponsored in September by Toyota of Southern Maryland.  See full press release.
• Political Writer Tells How Democrats Can Win without the South | October 21
  A nationally known political analyst and author makes a timely appearance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) to share his views on the Democrats’ chances of having their candidate elected on Nov. 7. The SMCM Center for the Study of Democracy will host Dr. Thomas F. Schaller on Tuesday, Oct. 21. His lecture “Whistling Past Dixie and the 2008 Election: How Democrats Can Win the White House without the South,” will take place in the Cole Cinema of the Campus Center at 7:30 p.m. A question and answer session and book signing will follow the lecture. The event is free and open to the public. See full press release.
• Flautist Giuseppe Nova Performs with Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra | October 25
  Internationally renowned flautist Giuseppe Nova will perform Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major with Maestro Angelo Gatto and the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Price Auditorium at Severn School (201 Water Street, Severna Park, Maryland, 21146) at 7:30 p.m.  Other European classical selections include Mozart’s “Idomeneo” Overture, Sibelius’ “Finlandia,” and Bach’s Fugue in G minor.  See full press release.
• Family Weekend is October 3-5 | September 25
  Get ready for theater, cardboard boat races, and memorial walks during this year’s Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). Community members and families of SMCM students are invited to visit the College and enjoy numerous events. For more information, contact the College at 240-895-4310. See full press release.
• The Gospel According to Saint Mark One-Man Show | September 23
  Renowned stage actor Michael Ellis-Tolaydo will perform the one-man show, “The Gospel According to Saint Mark,” Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. in Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). The ticket price for each performance is $10. For reservations, call the Theater Box Office at 240-895-4243 or e-mail: boxoffice@smcm.edu. Reservation-holders are asked to pick up and pay for their tickets at St. Mary’s Hall the evening or afternoon of the performance they will attend. See full press release.
• Call for Open Auditions | September 23
  Auditions for the St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) department of theater, film, and media studies’ second show of the year, “subUrbia,” by Eric Bogosian, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in the White Room of Montgomery Hall. Auditions will also be held on Friday, Oct. 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Bruce Davis Theater of Montgomery Hall. Auditions are open to the public. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5. Performance dates are Dec. 10 to14. See full press release.
  
• Parris Glendening on Smart Growth | September 18
  The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Center for the Study of Democracy will host former Maryland governor Parris Glendening on Friday, Sept. 26. Glendening will give a lecture at 4:30 p.m. in Goodpaster Hall Seminar Room 195 entitled “The Bay, the River and Smart Growth.” It is co-sponsored with the College’s Environmental Studies Program. See full press release.
  
• Artist Talk: Contemporary Artist Billy Friebele | September 23
  Contemporary artist and St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) alumnus Billy Friebele will give a lecture Wednesday, October 1, at 4:45 p.m. in Goodpaster Lecture Hall, Room 195. The second of the Artist Talks Series investigates aspects of contemporary use of public space through sculpture, video, and installation. See full press release.
  
• Ganz and Babcock Perform Shostakovich | September 24
  Pianists Brian Ganz and Beverly Babcock will perform Shostakovich’s lively Piano Concerto No. 2 at noon in St. Mary's Hall (Auerbach Auditorium) on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). See full press release.
  
• What Anthrax Can Tell Us about Life | September 18
  What can deadly anthrax tell us about the mechanisms of how life works? Dr. Joseph Reiner of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will discuss this and other questions he is investigating in the next installment of the Natural Science and Mathematics Colloquium series. The talk is on Sept. 24 at 4:40 p.m. in Room 106 of Schaefer Hall on the college campus. See full press release.
  
• Seahawk Service Fair | September 18
  St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) students and local community service organizations are hosting the annual Seahawk Service Fair Friday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Among the off-campus service organizations tabling at the Campus Center Patio are Leah’s House, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in April, the St. Mary’s County Museum Division, and the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Association. See full press release.
  
• SMCM Rocks the Arts | September 18
  Students, parents, teachers, and the general public are invited to attend “SMCM Rocks the Arts,” a four-hour music concert at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) on Saturday, Sept. 27. The concert, to be held at the Auerbach Auditorium at St. Mary’s Hall beginning at 4 p.m., will feature the College’s three a cappella groups (TNA, SMC-Men, Interchorus) and three student bands. See full press release.
  
• First Artist Talk Lecture | September 15
  The first St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Artist Talk of the year features artist-in-residence Hannah Finlator Wednesday, September 17, at 8:30 p.m. in Goodpaster Lecture Hall. Finlator, whose Northern Renaissance-style art has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, will present a lecture entitled “Artist and Influences.” See full press release.
  
• Motivational Speaker Shares Tips for Success | September 15
  Motivational speaker Edward L. Prichard III will bring his high energy and advice for success to St. Mary’s College of Maryland on Monday, September 22, at 8 p.m. He will share the tactics of high achievers and top performers in academic and business environments during his talk in Schaefer Hall, Room 106. See full press release.