Heritage Week 2008:  March 1-7
"Opening Doors...of our minds, hearts and spirits"

This year we will continue a tradition begun last year by sponsoring a blog.  Along with the traditional Heritage Week treasure hunt and receptions on the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses, other events this year include a statewide Youth Forum on Global Warming Solutions featuring polar explorer and alumnus Will Steger and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.  There will also be a significantly enhanced Faculty and Staff Recognition Awards Celebration; a student service project: Kid's Cafe at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis; and an Ecumenical Prayer Luncheon.

 St. Thomas Day Mass and Celebration - March 1, 5:30 p.m., in the newly renovated Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, followed by dinner and program in the Student Dining Room of Murray Herrick Center.  The Mass includes the dedication of the chapel's new altar by Archbishop Harry Flynn.  This event is sponsored by Alumni and Constituent Relations.

Treasure Hunt - February 29-March 7 (or until the Treasure is found).  This fourth annual hunt, features traditionally bad poetry and a $300 Bookstore gift card for the treasure finder.  The Treasure Hunt is open to all St. Thomas students, staff and faculty.  The treasure will be hidden on the St. Paul campus.  A new clue will be published each weekday, starting February 29, in Bulletin Today.  You do not need to tip, dismantle, mangle, uproot or otherwise wreck anything to find the treasure.  Please be kind to the campus during your hunt.  To win, you must find the treasure and return it to the Office for Mission in Room 104A of Aquinas Hall. 

The treasure you are looking for is actually a St. Thomas paperweight.  The off-white marble base of the paperweight measures 2 inches by 2 inches and is three-quarters of an inch thick.  Mounted on top of the marble base is a pewter-colored, metal medallion engraved with the shield of the university.  You can tell it's not a brand new paperweight because it also is engraved with historic words.  On the back of the marble base are words that indicate the treasure has been found.  (Note:  The finder does not get to keep the paperweight; it will be saved by the Heritage Week Committee for future treasure hunts.)

Watch Bulletin Today weekdays for new clues beginning February 29!

Blog on Co-Education -  This blog will be available through June 30.  All faculty, staff, students and alumni -- men and women -- are invited read or leave stories about the beginnings of co-education on campus and their experiences of co-education today.  Bloggers will be asked to respond  to one or all of three requests for stories: 

• Relate a story about your experience with co-education at the University of St. Thomas;
• Relate a story about a woman at St. Thomas who made a difference in your life and tell why;
• Relate a story about how your education at St. Thomas made a difference in your life and tell why.

The blog will remain available until the end of June.

"I'm a Tommie."  March 1-7, OEC Foyer.  This exhibit, in words and pictures, tells the stories of current and former co-eds.  The exhibit is sponsored by the LuAnn Dummer Center for Women. 

"Opening Spiritual Doors" - March 3, 1:30 p.m., OEC Auditorium (teleconferenced to Thornton Auditorium in Minneapolis).  This presentation on "spiritual doors" highlights the doors of the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul and St. Thomas More Chapel in Minneapolis.  The presentation will be given by renovation artists, Father James Notebaart and Alexander Tylevich.

 Youth Forum on Global Warming Solutions - March 3, 4 p.m., OEC Auditorium (overflow seating in 304 Murray Herrick Center).  This is the second of Father Dease's "Great Conversations" on sustainability.  It will include college and high school students from throughout the state, polar explorer Will Steger and Governor Tim Pawlenty.  This forum is a project of the Office of the Governor, the National Governor's Association, the Will Steger Foundation, and student leaders from the Minnesota youth climate movement.  Among the St. Thomas sponsors are University Student Government, the Green Team, Engineers for a Sustainable World, and Environmental Studies. 

Heritage Week Receptions  - A focal point of the Heritage Week activities is the receptions that are held on the St. Paul and Minneapolis Campuses.  Come for a light lunch, a celebration of 30 years of co-education, a Concert Choir performance, and an Art History poster session on our St. Paul chapel architect, Emmanuel Masqueray, in whose spirit the recent renovations have been completed. Students from Dr. Victoria Young's art history survey course will present the life and architecture of St. Thomas Aquinas chapel designer Emmanuel Masqueray at this year's Heritage Week celebrations.  They will illuminate the themes of Masqueray's life and profession, his time at St. Thomas, his sacred spaces in Minnesota, and his work beyond the state.  Students will create poster boards and be on hand to discuss their work with Heritage Week guests.  They hope to bring Masqueray to life as well as to share his importance to the building environment of the state of Minnesota. 

In addition, the Center for Women will highlight, through a powerpoint presentation, co-education at the University of St. Thomas as seen through current and former students. 

Some of the St. Thomas Day award winners will also be present and the Concert Choir will present several musical selections.

• St. Paul Reception and Program - March 4, 12-1:30 p.m., First Floor Lounge, MHC 100 (Co-sponsored by STAR).
• Minneapolis Reception and Program - March 5, 12-1:30 p.m., TMH Atrium.

Ecumenical Prayer Luncheon - March 6, 12-1:30 p.m.  This year's topic is "Grace-Filled Hospitality: Making God's Presence Known Among us."  The featured speaker is Dr. Catherine Cory of the Department of Theology.  Hospitality is a gift for us to demonstrate God's love to others, both known and unknown.  It is what makes a person feel welcomed, accepted and valued.  Grace-filled hospitality is not something we passively witness, but rather integrates us into the whole human family.  Through biblical and current stories, Dr. Corey will share how we might flourish in our hearts, minds and spirits.  A lively discussion will also explore what it might look like to celebrate the grace of hospitality here at UST.  A buffet-style luncheon will include soup, sandwiches, caesar salad, cookie and beverages.  RSVP is required by March 3 to Mary Edel-Joyce at 651-962-4920 or mjedeljoyce@stthomas.edu.  This event is sponsored by the Luncheon Planning Team and Campus Ministry.

Faculty/Staff Recognition Celebration - March 7, 3 p.m. Brady Auditorium.  A significantly expanded  program recognizes contributions to the university by its faculty and staff.  The program will include a reception in the Binz Refectory.  Watch the Bulletin  for further details.  This event is sponsored by the Department of Human Resources.

Service Event - Kid's Cafe at Powderhorn Park - March 7, 4 p.m.  St. Thomas students will participate in this community-service event.  Watch Bulletin Today for signup information.  Sponsors are the Office of Multicultural Student Services, the Commuter Center, and the Office of International Student Services.