Tentative contract: 3.25% raise

UPCOMING EVENTS
ST. MARY'S	SOUTHEAST TECH	WINONA STATE

WSU track-field coach recognized

WINONA, Minn., June 29, 2007 -- Winona State University track and field coach Mike Turgeon has been named the 2007 Division II regional women's assistant coach of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Turgeon called the award "a reflection of coaching high quality student-athletes." His team included nine athletes. Turgeon has been at Winona State three years. He holds a a master's degree in sports administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Turgeon himself is a six-time Division III all-American in the discus and weight throw. He is a two-time Division III national champion in the discus.

MIKE TURGEON Assistant coach of year

Flaten to seek Sviggum House seat

Study: On facebook it's probably true

Sviggum leaving House mid-term

Vandal theory: Sandwich biz heating up

Transfer soccer player pledges WSU

WINONA, Minn., June 24, 2007 -- A junior college all-America soccer player, forward Rachel Mathews, has signed to play at Winona State University, coach Al Omar announced. In two years at American River College in Sacramento, Calif., Mathews, 5-foot-4, scored 34 goals and had 26 assists. Omar called Mathews "a very versatile player with explosive speed and a great scoring touch."

RACHEL MATHEWS California all-American

Profs want Yspilanti president out

Southern clears chair of sex charges

Beset Indiana State president quits

New Mexico State settles Muslim suit

Nevada plan: Give profs guns

Maine offers stay-here carrot

Ramaley, Stene off on right foot

WINONA, Minn, June 23, 2007 -- After his first one-on-one meeting with university President Judith Ramaley, the new Winona State student president, Jared Stene, said he is confident about "a good working relationship." On both of their agendas was the Reis Report that recommended better communication to avert showdown confrontations like erupted in February when Ramaley aides summarily fired four popular student dorm supervisors. Stene said that he came out of the meeting thinking that Ramaley is "interested in working with student senate" on re-examining the student employee policies. MORE Interviewed about the meeting Stene said he wants to work with dorms leaders to see if the appeals process needs to be changed, as well as basic policies regarding February firings. MORE Relations between various student senators and Ramaley have been strained over a series of communications lapses and perceived Ramaley high-handedness. At one point last spring, senior Sen. Caitlin Powers had introduced a no-confidence resolution against student affairs Vice President Ruth Schroeder, although she later withdrew the motion. Does Stene see happier days ahead? "Senators have strong opinions one way or another. It's not my job to dictate. Am I going to crack the whip and say everyone must love Dr. Ramaley? No. Am I going to crack the whip and say everyone must hate Dr. Ramaley? No." MORE Stene said that the dorm firings issue was "basically on hold" until Schroeder's successor, Connie Gores. takes over in July. MORE About his meeting with Ramaley. Stene said they discussed overhauling of all-university committees, which are standing committees composing representatives from the student and faculty senates and campus employee unions. "Before it was just a huge mess, with no structure," Stene said. "There'd be two committees working on the same thing, and they didn't know it." The all-university committees, which advise campus administrators, have been revamped with clearly defined areas of responsibility and communications pathways. "The way they were structured, recommendations were limited, because committees and administrators didn't know who to report to," said Stene. MORE Stene said that that he and President Ramaley also talked about a proposed campus-wide smoking ban, already enacted at Minnesota State-Moorhead. Ramaley anticipates a similar proposal from the Winona State Wellness Committee this fall. Stene, a smoker himself whose favorite haunt off campus is Mugby Junction on Huff Street, said, "I could care less if I smoke on campus or walk over to Mugby." He hopes to have the issue put to a referendum for the student body at large to vote on. MORE Ramaley and Stene also discussed the textbook task force and potential textbook rental programs. Ramaley was noncommittal either way on textbook rental, he said.

FIRST POW-WOW JARED STENE Student president JUDITH RAMALEY WSU president

Cincinnati student accepts threats charge

Proposal: Restore bankruptcy buffer

Minnesota war toll: 61

Guards nab boy with bolt-cutter

Party bust leads to multiple charges

Bail set at $50,000 in "Chicago" assault

WINONA, Minn., June 21, 2007 -- Four felony charges were filed against a suburban Goodview woman, Julian Elisa Cummins, 21, for an assault outside the Schyde's downtown college bar in which assailants, beating and kicking her, proclaimed: "This is how they do it in Chicago." The victim was bruised and bloodied when she showed up at the police station after the 1:30 a.m., Sunday, attack. At the hospital the woman was treated for elbow, ankle, back and knee bruises -- and a dozen bites on a hand, The woman said the assailant had used her teeth to try to pull an engagement ring off a finger. MORE Cummins was arrested from descriptions from a Perkins restaurant server, where the victim's credit card was used for meals an hour or so after the attack. Cummins was charged with attempted robbery, aiding and abetting robbery, and credit-card theft. Bail was set at $50,000. MORE The "Chicago" reference intrigued investigators. Schyde's, a dance club, has a history as a hang-out for people with Chicago drug connections. During the school year Schyde's largely is a college drinking spot, although the college party crowd, the Chicago gang cultures and out-of-towners cross paths at the place. Dozens of college students milling around in the parking lot after closing several years ago escaped injury in the G-Bone drive-by shooting. In 2006 an off-duty bouncer was stabbed by an underage boozer from the Cities. MORE The woman who was attacked told police that earlier in the evening she had tried o break up a fight at Schyde's by was told to back off, The attack occurred in an outside parking lot after closing time. Police said the women said four women and three men knocked her to the pavement and beat and kicked her and stole her purse with a credit card. MORE Reporting the card missing the next day, the woman learned there had been a $54.32 charge at Perkins about 3 a.m. Police interviewed Perkins employees, got descriptions, and put Cummins in a line-up. The victim identified her as the main assailant. Background: Arrest made in Schyde's assault

SCHYDE'S 102 Johnson

WSU 42nd in Directors Cup standings

WINONA, Minn., June 21, 2007 -- For a third straight year Winona State University has improved its performance in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors Cup Division II final standings. The Warriors finished 42nd in the all-sports standings with 353.25 points. Last year Winona State was 60th place at 240.5 points, the year before 69th at 224. This year Grand Valley State University led with 995.75 points. MORE The Warriors had the opportunity to score points in nine sports,. These included a perfect six-for-six in spring sports -- baseball, women's golf, men's golf, softball, women's tennis and women's outdoor track and field. Warrior men's basketball came up with the top point total with 90 for finishing second in the national tournament. The women's indoor track and field team followed with 66.75, tying for 10th place at nationals. Football made the regional playoffs in the fall and scored 25 points.

DIRECTORS CUP Sponsored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics

Fire-plagued building to be repaired again

State tuition to climb 3.9% for fall

Tenture denied outspoken DePaul prof

Arrest made in Schyde's parking lot assault

WINONA, Minn., June 20, 2007 -- A 21-year-old suburban Goodview woman has been arrested for a fight outside Schyde's, a downtown college bar, after closing hours Saturday, police said. Charges of assault and attempted robbery may be filed, police said. The incident occurred about 1:30, when, according to the victim, she was knocked to the ground by a group of perhaps seven people. The victim said she used a high-heel shoe to club off the attackers, but they got her purse. Police said a credit card from the pursue was used at the all-night Perkins restaurant a couple hours later. Background: Woman saves ring in attack

SCHYDE'S 102 Johnson

Judge throws books at rapist

Woman attacked at Schyde's, saves ring

WINONA, Minn., June 17, 2007 -- A 30-year-old Rochester, Minn., in town to celebrate a friend's wedding engagement woman told police she fought off two attackers in a parking lot at Schyde's a downtown college bar, after closing time. The woman said she was knocked to the pavement. The attacker, she said, got away with a credit card. Police said the woman said one attacker tried to bite a two-carat diamond ring from a finger.

SCHYDE'S 102 Johnson

1,000 new WSU students to register

DM&E chief undeterred: Wyoming or bust

Malvik looks to Europe basketball

WINONA, MInn., June 14, 2007 -- WInona State University basketball grad Zach Malvik, starting guard on the 2006 national championship team, has signed with a pro-sports agency. Malvik confirmed he has a contract with Imani Sports of MInneapolis. Malvik said he is hopeful of playing with a European league. A second-division Germany team has approached him, Malvik said, but he is holding out for a team from a stronger league. He mentioned Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Teams in those leagues are dominated by home-country players, augmented by two to four imports. WIth the Imani agency , Malvik is represented by Chris Murray, The agency represents some National Basketball Association players.

ZACH MALVIK SIgns up with Imani agency

After 154 years Antioch to close

Coleman aide ponders Senate bid

Stene: Senate poised well for fall

WINONA, Minn., June 12, 2007 -- The Winona State University Student Senate will start fall semester with a "good mix of people coming back and new people." as student President Jared Stene sees it. With 20 seats filled from the spring election the Senate will be entering the new school year with more senators than at this point last year. Only four seats remain empty from the spring elections. MORE Seven seats are open awaiting the new school year, for freshman, at-large and grad students. "I'm hoping to get a real competitive race this fall," said Stene of the seven open seats. MORE Stene said Senate members regularly make an appearance at orientation classes to explain to freshmen what the senate does and to hopefully spark interest in them to run for positions on the senate. In past years, the Senate has waited until a few days before elections, said Stene, but this year he wants to go earlier to give freshmen a chance to think about and explore the possibility of running for a seat. MORE Stene is encouraged that the entire executive board, comprising himself and Emily Feehan and vice president and Travis as treasurer, is in Winona for the summer. This, he said, is giving the Senate a running start.

JARED STENE WSU student president

WSU employee collection passes $65,000

University president donates kidney

Cotter softball star signs for WSU

Hannah Callahan. Member of 2006 state championship team, Helped Cotter extend a streak of eight consecutive state tournament appearances, all-state, three-time all-conference, two-time all-conference, two-time most valuable player.

MORE

Stacey Struzynski. Bats right, throws right, All-area, two-time all-conference.

MORE

Callie Givens. Bats right, throws right. Member of 2006 state championship team, all-state, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel player of year, suburban player of year, all-district, two-time all-suburban, conference player of year, two-time all-conference softball; two-time all-suburban, four-time all-conference, three-time team captain. In basketball: Two-time state doubles qualifier, four-time all-conference, two-time team captain . Also played tennis.

Illinois bill to protect j-students

DM&E rail line entertains offers

New dean: Stars lined up for accreditation

WINONA, Minn., June, 11 2007 -- The new business dean at Winona State, Bill Murphy, said the key to obtaining accreditation for the business college relies on a supportive university leadership. "We have the best support from above," said Murphy in an interview, referring to university President Judith Ramaley and academic Vice President Sally Johnstone. Murphy said he intends to let faculty know that top administrators are behind them. The college, he said, can move forward to accreditation, which he called the Number One goal. Interim Dean Gabriel Manrique agrees. "The move toward accreditation has been an ongoing thing and we have been and continue to be very serious about it," Manrique said in a joint interview with Murphy. "The business school runs itself quite well," said Murphy, so moving forward is the next step. MORE Making faculty aware of the support they have from above is not the only need in the push for accreditation, however. Murphy acknowledged that not all faculty are on board for accreditation. Manrique said, however, that it's not unusual in a larger faculty -- there are 50 business profs -- that some still need convincing. Every college has some faculty who do not want accreditation for whatever reason, he said. Faculty are not actively working against accreditation though, said Manrique, "I have not felt there are people actually sabotaging the process." To accuse faculty of that would be "going too far," he said. Instead, some faculty simply might not be participating in the process, he said. MORE How does Murphy intend to convince faculty? "Sitting down and talking with them one on one," he said. Communicating effectively with the faculty and offering support about the accreditation process is important, Murphy said. MORE In moving toward accreditation a major change for faculty would be the move toward becoming more published, he said. In addition to the large task that a accreditation bid requires, the new dean has a second major task on his plate: Construction of a business building is also on the to-do list. MORE After Ramaley released a campus master plan that included a business building, enthusiasm for the project has grown, Manrique said. In fact, the pre-design has already been completed, he said. The building was not included in the last round for stat funding, however, said Manrique, and the building plan needs to be downsized to be realistic. The architectural firm Perkins & Will is doing an excellent job, Manrique said. MORE Looking to the future, Manrique said a new business building would need the latest technology and also be environmentally friendly. Extremely important in the design, said Manrique, is that it be a "place for interaction with the community." Murphy said he wants there to be gathering places for students in the building so they can interact, which with Manrique heartedly agreed. "A lot of learning takes place outside of the classroom if you allow it," said Manrique and that would be taken into consideration in the design. MORE As for the funding Murphy stuck by his earlier call for external funding. "People like to see their names on buildings," he said. Other parts of the buildings could be named, he said opening up numerous possibilities for fundraising. "We'll take whatever we can get," in terms of funding, he said. Manrique agreed saying they haven't turned money down yet. Don't worry, he said, "We're not going to sell naming rights to students, though." MORE Murphy will take over the deanship July 1. Murphy was one of three finalists in the third round of searches for a new dean. Two earlier searches failed when one candidate turned down the offer and another withdrew hrr candidacy.

BILL MURPHY Incoming business dean GABE MANRIQUE Ending term as interm dean NUMBER ONE PRIORITY ACCREDI- TATION NUMBER TWO NEW BUSINESS BUILDING NEITHER OBSTACLE-FREE

Cops nab WSU jock in handcuff incident

WINONA, Minn., June 11, 2007 -- Winona State University football player Kenny King, a key player in a stand-off with Winona police at a 2005 Halloween party, just can't stay out of trouble. King 24, was arrested in La Crosse, Wis., over the weekend after, police said, he grabbed an officer's handcuffs off his belt. The incident happened early Sunday in the La Crosse bar district when police responded to a fight. Police restored order, but then, according to police, a man grabbed an officer's handcuffs and fled. The man dropped the cuffs as police gave chase. The cops quickly apprehended King, who was booked as Kenneth N. King. He was charged with obstructing officers. He said later that he didn't know what got into him. MORE The incident began at Third and Pearl in downtown La Crosse. It seems that King didn't have a chance. Besides the uniformed officers at the scene, three off-duty, cops in town for anti-gang training, from Illinois, Nebraska and Texas, were there. MORE In Winona two years ago, King was a host at a giant Halloween bash at 560 E. Broadway. When police, responding to neighbor complaints knocked on the door, somebody locked the doors. Police called in reinforcements. Not until four hours later did KIng and housemate Alex White, also a varsity football player, come out and talk with police. Police found four kegs, only one with required registration tags. Twenty-three tickets were issued, with fines exceeding $4,000 in all. King was jailed on outstanding warrants from Ely, Minn., for skipping court appearances on multiple motoring violations. King, a 5-foot-7 varsity cornerback, was suspended from football, but coach Tom Sawyer re-instated him as soon as he pleaded guilty. King, a senior, played again last year. White also was suspended bit for longer because he fought the party charges for 10 months. MORE At the time of the stand-off King had recently transferred to Winona State from an Ely community college. Originally he was from Winter Park, Fla. At Winona State he majors in business administration. White also was a transfer student to Winona State. Weeks earlier White had waged an imaginative and successful campaign for election to the Student Senate. White remained on the Senate until last spring.

KENNY KING In a 2005 attitude pose

"Systematic failure" in murder follow-up

Prof's ideas on campus love face test

Vandalized WSU columns to be repaired

WINONA Minn., June 11, 2007 -- Concrete decorative columns at Phelps Hall at Winona State University, heavily damaged by vandals in March, will be repaired before students return for fall classes, said Steve Ronkowski, campus facilities coordinator. The decorative fixtures on top of all the columns had been broken off. Several columns showed signs of someone attempting to push them over. The columns were originally part of the Davis-Schoen memorial garden in front of Phelps, part of a gift from Harry Schoen, a 1954 grad, in honor of former history and econ prof Eddie Davis. MORE Ronkowski said that he is working with a contractor to rebuild the columns, including making structural upgrades so that they could not be pulled over. Money for the repairs will come from Winona State's repair and betterment fund. MORE Don Walski, Winona State security director, said that security cameras had not caught the vandalism on tape. Walski said he has no leads.

PHOTOGRAPHER: SAMUEL KEANE-RUDOLPH PHELPS FILIAL Column tops toppled; replacements due

Four New Orleans universities censured

Death claims retired WSU education dean

Steamboat Days: Music and more music

WINONA, Minn., June 10, 2007 -- The 60th annual Steamboat Days celebration is set to Wednesday through Monday evening. Among musical events is the ST. MAry's University-based John Paulsen Jazz Trio. In all 10 concerts are scheduled for the six-day-long festival. On stage at the Beverage Garden, besides the John Paulsen Jazz Trio, are the White Sidewalls, Rip Roarin' Entertainment, Johnny Holm Band. Dave Pringle, president of the association in charge of planning Steamboat Days, said the Beverage Garden will be open daily at 5 p.m. Sunday at 3-12. A Steamboat Days button is required for admittance, $3 if purchased before Wednesday at Winona merchants and $5 after. MORE The South Shore Drill Team, a Chicago organization aimed at provide an alternate activities for youth to keep them free of gangs, high school violence and teen pregnancy, will be performing Saturday at 7 p.m. at Winona High. The Winona municipal band will be performing at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the band shell in Lake Park. A children's concert, "Bob the Beachcomber," will also be performed at the band shell Friday at 11 a.m. MORE The musical "Bye Bye Birdie" will be at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and at 6 p.m., Sunday, at the Page Theater at St. Mary's.

WEDNES- DAY THROUGH NONDAY

Southeast Tech exec named WSU dean

WINONA, Minn., June 8, 2007 -- Winona State University has found a new dean of of education over the fence just beyond the Back 40. The chief academic officer at Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical in Winona, Sally Standiford, has landed the job. Standiford succeeds Cecilia Rokusek, who resigned abruptly in September after a year on the job to give priority, she said, to a romance back in Florida. The position has been filled in the interim by prof Lorene Olson. MORE Announcing Standiford's appointment, university President Judith Ramaley said that she brings "a broad range of experience at both universities and two-year institutions ... as we seek to open up new collaborations with other institutions within Minnesota and Wisconsin and as we lay the groundwork for a doctorate in education." MORE Standiford earned a bachelor's degree from Georgian Court College in New Jersey, a master's from The Citadel in South Carolina, and a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Illinois with specialties in instructional applications of computers, mathematics education, and learning and Instruction. Her full title at Southeast Tech is executive vice president of academic and student affairs / chief academic officer. Her responsibilities included hiring and evaluating faculty and staff, developing budgets, evaluating instruction, and maintaining accreditations. She was also responsible for designing an institution-wide assessment of student reading readiness. MORE Prior to Southeast Tech, Standiford was dean of science, math and technology at Inver Hills Community College and dean of liberal arts and education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She also served as professor and director of the Educational Technology Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

SALLY STANDI- FORD Moving over from Southeast Tech

Miss Winona crown to SMU sophomore

> Anna Goodwill (runner-up), a Southeast Tech sophomore
> Molly Jewison (second runner-up), a St. Mary's sophomore
> Sara Welch (spirit winner), a Winona State sophomore

Race-profiling on student loans?

Oakland drafts WSU catcher-pitcher

OAKLAND, Calif., June 8, 2007 -- The Oakland Athletics chose Winona State University catcher and relief pitcher Ben Barrone in the 44th round of the Major League Baseball draft. Barrone will be assigned the Athletics' Vancouver Canadians farm club. At Winona State Barrone scored 27 home runs, the best in the nation, his senior year. He is Winona State's home run record holder with a career of 43. Barrone transferred to Winona State after his first two at Mankato State-Mankato. MORE Not since pitcher Andrew Wiedl in 1998 has a Winona State player been drafted into major league baseball. Wiedl was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 26th round.

BEN BARRONE Division 2 All-Central player of year

Fitzy given 7-1/2 years prison

WINONA, Minn., June 7, 2007 -- Judge Margaret Johnson blasted a tearful John Michael Fitzerald as she sentenced him to 7-1/2 years in prison for the brutal beating of a 57-year-old man and his wife, 55 in a botched home invasion. She called te crime "horrific." Fitzerald will serve three sentences consecutively, four years for kidnapping, and 21 months for each assault for a total of 7-1/2 years in prison. With god behavior he could be out in five years. Fitzgerald also was also ordered to pay court costs and $11,000 in medical bills for the injuries he caused, as well as provide a DNA sample. MORE Around 1:30 a.m. on March 28, Fitzgerald, a Winona State University student, and Drew Steinquist, a reecnt Winona High grad, had broken into the Winona home of the victims looking for their son, who had stolen a safe containing money and drugs from Steinquist. Instead, the two found the victims, who said they'd thrown their son out of the house days before. Steinquist tied the couple up with a towel while Fitzgerald beat them with a pool cue. Steinquist turned State's Evidence in a plea bargain that netted him 21 months in prison. MORE County Attorney Chuck MacLean, who prosecuted the case, said that the victims "were absolutely innocent people caught in the crossfire of Fitzgerald's drug-dealing operation in Winona."

"FITZY" FITZGERALD Prison-bound

Stene to dog Ramaley on grievances

WINONA, Minn., June 5, 2007 -- Student leaders at Winona State are organizing to make sure that the university follows through on recommendations from an investigation into irregularities in dorm personnel practices that riled students last spring. Incoming student President Jared Stene said he will meet Friday with university President Judith Ramaley, their first one-on-one meeting, and will press her on what she's doing about the recommendations. The recommendations include new procedures so students are informed of their rights. In firing four student dorm supervisors in February, dorms chief Paula Scheevel ignored legal requirements. The supervisors were neither given legally required notice nor informed of their appeal options. MORE Until the student uprising, including a 10-day hunger strike, Scheevel's actions were endorsed implicitly by her supervisor, now soon-to-be-departed interim Vice President Ruth Schroeder, and Ramaley. Finally the state chancellor intervened, prompting Ramaley to appoint an outside review panel.options. MORE In an interview Stene he didn't disagree with the report. written by Winona State alum Mick Reis, who chaired the review panel. Said Stene: "I'm looking forward to working with the recommendations and letting students know their rights." The Inter-Residence Hall Council, comprising student reps from each dorm , will work with the Student Senate to make sure recommendations are being followed, said Stene.options. MORE Of particular interest, said Stene, is the recommendation to review grievance policies for student employees. The policies, roughly 20 years old, go back to university president Tom Stark, who died in 1988.options. MORE In his campaign for the student presidency in March, when the dorm terminations were a hot issue, Stene called for making the Senate a place for students to go when their rights are violated. Stene scored points in the election by noting Ramaley's initial unwillingness to address the issue and suggested that she be retired as university president at the end of her contract in 2008. Even so, Stene said, there are no strained relations between Ramaley and himself. He expressed willingness to work with her and is "keeping an open mind."

JARED STENE Incoming WSU stident president

18-year WSU prof named business dean

WINONA, Minn., June 5, 2007 -- A veteran Winona State University marketing prof, Bill Murphy, has been named business dean after months of a frustrating search that twice failed to find a suitable candidate willing to take the job. Murphy, at Winona State 18 years, currently chairs the marketing department. Murphy was among three finalists who were interviewed on campus in May. As dean, he succeeds Gabe Manrique, who had subbed in the position after Ken Gorman was elevated to acting academic vie president three years ago. MORE Announcing the appointment, university President Judith Ramaley praised Murphy's "experience and his dedication" as "exactly what we need at this pivotal time in the history of our College of Business." MORE Before Winona State, Murphy taught at Western Kentucky, Pittsburg State and Northeast Louisiana. Murphy holds bachelor's degree and his master's degree in business education from Arkansas State and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a minor in business administration from the University of Memphis. He has been the director of Winona State's College For Kids program five years. Murphy is a volunteer for the Winona Chamber of Commerce. In 2001 the Chamber named him volunteer of the year.

BILL MURPHY New dean

WSU basketball turnstile whirling

November 2008 contests in early start

Democratic national convention, Aug. 25-28, Denver
Republican national convention, Sept. 1-4, Minneapolis