Download - Fairmont Campus April 2013 Newsletter
April 2013
Doris Virgens’ Estate
Shelley Krahmer, John Edman, Traci Lardy, Dr. Pat Bacon
Doris Virgens was 95 years old when her sister and life-
long housemate Rosine got sick and had to go to the lo-
cal hospital.
The care her sister received from the nurses at Mayo
Clinic Health System in her last days made an impression
on Virgens, according to her attorney, John Edman.
After Virgens died in 2012 at the age of 97, her will re-
vealed just how much it meant to her. Edman presented
two local organizations with estate gifts from Virgens on
Friday morning - $425,000 for FCH Foundation and
$425,000 for Presentation College.
Edman said Virgens lived a humble life, sharing her home
with her sister.
"They lived a conservative life just off Blue Earth Ave-
nue," Edmund said.
When Rosine died, Virgens began to consider what she
would like done with her estate, since neither of the two
had children. Edman said she wanted to donate her es-
tate to a local organization, for local use. He gave her a
list of organizations to consider, and she thought long and
hard about it.
"She called me one day and said she was ready," he said.
"She said nursing students really have a hard time finan-
cially because they are busy with their school work, espe-
cially third-year students."
The observation surprised Edman, who said he didn't be-
lieve Virgens had any personal connection to any nurses
or nursing students - outside her experience taking her
sister to Mayo near the end of her life.
"I think that is where it first started," he said. "Sometimes
you don't realize how little things make a difference to
people. People must have treated her nice. It made a big
impression on her."
Dr. Pat Fahey Bacon, director of the nursing program at
Presentation College's Fairmont campus, is moved by the
kindness Virgens must have experienced at the hands of
nurses.
"It touches me that the nurses touched her," she
said.
The estate gifts were given with no restriction, other
than a request that the funds stay in the area and
help the nursing program at Presentation.
Shelly Krahmer, president of FCH Foundation, said
the gift will be added to the group's endowment
fund.
"Her gift will go on forever," she noted.
Presentation College, Fairmont campus, director
Traci Lardy said the funds are Presentation's first
estate gift, and the college is in the process of de-
ciding how it will best be used.
Edman acknowledged he was surprised when Vir-
gens chose Presentation College, a relatively new
organization in the area.
"We are still new," Lardy said. "A lot of people don't
know we have a 501(c)3 (non-profit) status. We
hope people will realize it does help us."
Krahmer and Lardy recognized the connection be-
tween the organizations listed on the will.
"We train the nurses," said Lardy, "and [they] em-
ploy them."
"This is an incredible gift that between the organiza-
tions we can really honor," Krahmer added.
** This article was written by the Kylie Saari, staff writer for the Fairmont
Sentinel. Permission was given to use this article in this newsletter.
April 2013 Fairmont Campus Newsletter Page 2
PC Nursing Students
Elected to Office On February 23, 2013 the Minnesota Student
Nurses Association (SNA) held their annual
convention. Presentation College Junior nursing
class attended the convention at the St. Paul
College in St. Paul, MN. Two Presentation
College students ran for office and were elected
as board members.
Emily Guggemos was elected Southern
Regional Director, which entails being a valu-
able resource for student nurses.
Christina Wagner was elected Breakthrough
to Nursing Director, which includes represent-
ing student nurses and facilitating growth and
development of the nursing field.
They are working together to get a formal chapter
of Minnesota SNA at Presentation College in
Fairmont. They are very excited to be a part of
Minnesota SNA and look forward to representing
our College.
Siri Heille, nursing faculty, stated the that stu-
dents truly enjoyed this day, even though it meant
an early day on the road. The following student
sent this email thanking PC for this opportunity!
"I just wanted to tell you how AWESOME yester-day was. I really do appreciate PC or you or who-ever made us go to this. On the way up I REALLY didn't want to go (it was way too early in the a.m. and a Saturday). But after experiencing it, I hope you continue to force the Juniors to go. I think it might also be beneficial to sophomores so they see how it works and then there junior year they can bring their resumes and what not. Any-way, just wanted to say thank you! I really learned a lot and it renewed my nursing school motivation!"
Congratulations Christina and Emily!! We
know you will represent Presentation College
very well!!
Presentation College Fairmont Campus
Junior Nursing Class
April 2013 Fairmont Campus Newsletter Page 3
PC Baseball Ending
Era at Metrodome Mark Your Calendars
Classes Resume April 2
Last Day of Classes April 26
Finals Week April 29
— May 2
Commencement Practice May 3
In Aberdeen
Mass/Commencement May 4
In Aberdeen
Fairmont Pinning & Recognition May 6
Presentation College’s baseball team recently
made the news on WCCO. Click on this link to
view the teams’ time and history at the Metrodome.
Go Saints!!
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/03/09/after-30-years-college-baseball-to-end-at-dome/
Financial Aid Office
to Visit Fairmont
“If spring came but once a century
Instead of once a year,
Or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake
And not in silence,
What wonder and expectation there would be
in all hearts
To behold the miraculous change?”
April 2013 Fairmont Campus Newsletter Page 4
1. Student volunteers are needed for the 2013
Fairmont Campus Pinning & Recognition Cere-
mony. Volunteers are needed to assist in greet-
ing guests, handing out programs, and etc. It
will be held on Monday, May 6th at 7:00 p.m. at
the Fairmont High School Performing Arts Cen-
ter (900 Johnson Street, Fairmont).
The program starts at 7:00 p.m. and we should
conclude by 8:30 p.m. We will need a total of 8
volunteers and your time commitment would be
from 6:15—8:30 p.m..
Please email Susan Barnes if you are interest-
ed. This event can be used for your volunteer
hours.
2. Special Olympics is coming to the Fairmont area. If you would like to be involved and coach, this is a wonderful way to give back to the community.
Please contact Jamie Urban the coordinator for this event for more information and volunteer
packets. Thanks. [email protected]
3. The Martin County Historical Society needs help preparing their spring newsletter for mailing:
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 9:00 a.m. Pioneer Museum Usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes Coffee, soft drinks and rolls will be available
Please contact me at my e-mail address below or at 235-5178 if you can help.
Lenny Tvedten Executive Director Martin County Historical Society 304 E. Blue Earth Ave. [email protected]
Opportunities to
Give Back
It’s Getting Closer;
Graduation!!!
Presentation College’s commencement prac-tice will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 3
rd, 2013 and the commencement ceremony
will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 4th,
2013 in the Strode Activity Center on the Aberdeen Campus, preceded by Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the Main Building at 11:00 am.
Presentation College Fairmont Campus will recognize their 2013 graduating students on Monday, May 6 at 7 PM. A Pinning and Recognition Ceremony is being planned at the Fairmont High School auditorium.
A slideshow with pictures featuring the seniors will be played that night. If you have appropriate pictures of you and other graduating Fairmont Campus students, e-mail those to Traci Lardy by April 15.
Presentation College Fairmont Campus
2012 Graduates
April 2013 Fairmont Campus Newsletter Page 5
After surviving a 36 hour bus ride, we finally arrived in
New Orleans. We traveled to Camp Restore and on our
second day we headed out to A.R.C. to help the employ-
ees there recycle used Mardi Gras beads. It turns out;
tons of beads get thrown out every year, beads that do
not break down in landfills, so this organization collects
and resells them.
After our volunteer work for the day was completed, we
were free to go out and explore the city. We explored the
French Quarter and wandered Bourbon Street. There
were street performers on every corner and multiple plac-
es where people were eager to read your palms and tarot
cards. Everyone made sure to stop at Café Du Monde to
eat beignets and coffee.
On our third day in New Orleans, we headed out to the
Rescue Ranch. The staff there rehabilitates and rescues
horses after hurricanes. They also take in horses that
were surrendered by their owners. We spent the morning
at the Ranch mucking out stalls, walking horses, and
grooming the animals. Some of the horses housed there
are adopted, while others are used for therapy and after
school programs. At the Rescue Ranch, what they did
was truly amazing and the devotion they had for helping
troubled youth was inspiring.
On day 4 we headed to Los Isleños Museum at St. Ber-
nard. The museum focused mostly on the Native Ameri-
can and Spanish culture within Louisiana. While at the
museum we helped the grounds keepers set up huts
made of sticks, rope, and palm leaves. During our down-
time we were able to learn about the culture, take part in
the raccoon dance, play games, and explore the muse-
um.
After leaving the museum we set out for a guided swamp
tour. The swamp was beautiful and full of wildlife; such
as a three foot alligator, various turtles, and a wide varie-
ty of native birds. Our tour guide was locally raised, so he
was able to point out many unique attractions within the
swamp.
New Orleans Trip of
a Lifetime
My fifth day in New Orleans was spent helping the
homeless at Lantern Light. Lantern Light is an or-
ganization based in New Orleans with goals of help-
ing the less fortunate by providing meals, aiding with
shelter, and helping with medical expenses. Volun-
teers at Lantern Light can expect to prepare emer-
gency groceries, prepare meals, and offer social
interaction. Lantern Light was founded by the
Presentation College Sisters and is located behind
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Seeing the Sisters
work is truly inspiring, their kindness and dedication
has helped countless people.
Overall the experience was eye opening. To see a
culture affected by natural disaster come together to
work towards the well being of its community is truly
awe inspiring. The feeling of self worth one receives
from volunteering to help those less fortunate than
oneself is paramount. I would recommend this
course to all of you. Our time there was short and
there is much more to be done.
Article written by: Naomi Posivio, PC student
April 2013 Fairmont Campus Newsletter Page 6
B14...BINGO!
On Wednesday, March 13th PCAL organized
BINGO at the Knights of Columbus. Presenta-tion College students arrived at the KC hall in PC attire. Many students purchased BINGO playing cards, ranging from $5 to $14. The more the BINGO card cost, the more games there were to win at for each BINGO drawing. The prizes ranged from $25 to over $700. The big winner from Presentation College was Jessi-ca Nowicki, winning over $50. BINGO can be played every Wednesday at the KC Hall, 920 East 10
th Street starting at 7PM.
Pizza’s Popular Periods
What are the top 5 pizza sale days:
(don’t peek at the answers below)
1. Super Bowl Sunday 2. New Year’s Eve 3. Halloween 4. The night before Thanksgiving 5. New Year’s Day
April 2013 Fairmont Campus Newsletter Page 7
Presentation College’s newest honor society for students and faculty recently announced its charter members. The Board of Trustees for Pi Gamma Mu – International Honor Society in So-cial Sciences formally accepted Presentation College’s charter application beginning the fall 2012 semester. Charter members of the South Dakota Zeta Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu include Elizabeth Blankenfeld (Aurora, SD), Sarah Nich-ols-Caballero (Fairmont, MN), Latonya Gage (Aberdeen, SD), Stacie Gerhardt (Fairmont, MN), Lyla Moore (Sioux Falls, SD), Timi Wil-liams (Eagle Butte, SD), and Shobi Zetina (Agency Village, SD). In addition, charter facul-ty members are Stacie Shaw and Dr. Brad Ten-nant.
Membership in Pi Gamma Mu is open to quali-fied undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members involved in the social sciences. To qualify for membership, a student must have junior, senior, or graduate standing, be in the top 35 percent of the class, have a “B” or better average in at least 20 semester hours of history, political science, sociology, anthropology, eco-nomics, international relations, criminal justice, social work, psychology, social philosophy, his-tory of education, and human/cultural geogra-phy.
Pi Gamma Mu, founded in 1924, now has nearly 250,000 members at 150 chapters located at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. The purpose of the Society is to encourage academic excellence in the social sciences.
PC Honor Society
Announces Charter
Members
Celebration of Lent
and Easter at PC On Thursday, March 21
st Presentation College
students took part in the annual Lent and Easter Celebration service. The Service con-sisted of several songs and readings. After each reading students placed palm branches, a towel and basin, a chalice, bread, a gavel, a rooster, a crown of thorns, a pair of dice, and nails around the cross. Each item had special symbolism that told the story of Lent and East-er. After the service, students were asked to pound their nails into the cross. The service had a fantastic turn out and the pot luck after wards was a definite success.