Inside Gustavus April 28, 2011 | Volume 43, Number 30
Faculty/Staff Activities
Chris Johnson (Center for Servant Leadership) has been invited to serve as a facilitator with InCommons, a new initiative that connects citizens and organizations to develop and share tools, knowledge, and resources to tackle community problems and public challenges. InCommons is a joint endeavor of the Bush, Wilder, Blandin, and St. Paul Foundations; the University of Minnesota Center for Integrative Leadership; the Minnesota Council of Churches; Minnesota Public Radio; Twin Cities Public Television; and the Walker Art Center.
On March 30-April 2, Laurent Déchery (MLLC-French) attended the annual 20th/21st Century French and Francophone Studies International Colloquium in San Francisco, where he gave a paper on the animal theme in Fred Vargas's novel L'homme à l'envers (Inside Out Man). Laurent also published, in collaboration with Martine Sauret from Macalester College, an interview with the French writer René Frégni. It was published in the March issue of the French Review.
Kyle Chambers (psychology) co-authored two empirical articles with Kristine Onishi (McGill University) and Cynthia Fisher (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). "A vowel is a vowel: Generalizing newly-learned phonotactic constraints to new contexts" was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition and "Representations for phonotactic learning in infancy" will be published in Language Learning and Development. Chambers also co-authored a service-learning project summary with Peter Olson (Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota) and April Rao (Creative Play Place), "Learning developmental psychology through museum exhibit design." The summary was presented to the Developmental Science Teaching Institute at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Barbara Fister (library) presented a paper titled "Sisters in Crime at the Quarter Century: Advocacy, Community, and Change" at the Popular Culture Association National Conference in San Antonio.
Kathryn Christenson (advancement, ret.) wrote an article for Metro Lutheran about Prairie Oaks Institute, the retreat farm near Belle Plaine founded by Chris Johnson (CSL) and his wife, Kim.
Kevin Byrne (history) presented the keynote address at the College Board Breakfast, held at the Organization of American Historians annual meeting in Houston on March 20. The topic of his address was "Foreign Policy and Popular Culture in the Age of Reagan." He also delivered a paper titled "The Populist Roots of Progressive Reform" at the Teaching American History Spring Workshop, held at Minnesota State University, Mankato on April 8.
The Gustavus chapter of Phi Beta Kappa has unanimously elected William K. Freiert, professor emeritus of classics, as its first honorary member. The election recognizes Professor Freiert's distinguished career at Gustavus, his outstanding scholarship, and his profound commitment to liberal learning as teacher, mentor, and colleague. Election to honorary membership in the PBK, the nation's premier scholarly society, is reserved for those faculty who, having been granted the baccalaureate degree from colleges without PBK chapters, have made significant contributions to the liberal arts throughout their subsequent careers. Fewer than seven percent of all U.S. universities and colleges host a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. The Gustavus Eta of Minnesota chapter was formally installed on April 7, 1983. Professor Freiert will be inducted into the society at its annual induction ceremony on May 5.
Lisa Heldke (philosophy) was the keynote speaker at the Andrew Wolf Memorial Conference, "Eating Green: A Conversation about Food, Consumption and Sustainability," held at American University in Washington, D.C. Her talk was titled "Pleasure Once Removed: Eating, Suffering and Violence." The conference honored an American University graduate who was killed while working with The Otesha Project, a food and social justice organization that was cycling across Canada.
Student Achievements
Joey Taylor has been accepted to study at the prestigious Bard College-Smolny Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. Taylor, a sophomore Russian & East European studies major from Washington, Illinois, is one of only 22 students nationwide chosen to spend the 2011-12 year at the well-regarded Smolny College, where he will be participating in classes and seminars on Russian linguistics, history, politics, society and culture taught by eminent Russian scholars and academics. Taylor is the second Gustavus student to be selected for the program in the past 10 years.
Steven Lundberg, senior chemistry major, presented a research poster at the Minnesota Academy of Science Winchell Undergraduate Symposium, held at North Hennepin Community College on April 16. His research, carried out in conjunction with Todd Swanson (chemistry), was titled “Preparation of 1,3,2-Oxazaphospholidine-2-oxide Derivatives as Models for the Development of Novel Chiral Auxiliaries.”
Funding Opps
The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations' weekly program or funding opportunity highlight:
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National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipends... The NEH Summer Stipends program provides individuals with an opportunity to pursue research in the humanities. Each stipend provides $6,000 for two consecutive months of full-time independent research and writing. Applicants must be nominated by their institutions; only two faculty members may be nominated each year. The online application deadline is typically the end of September. For more information, please see the NEH grants website. Updated guidelines will soon be posted. Faculty interested in submitting an application should send an e-mail so indicating to Bob Weisenfeld (bweis@gustavus.edu) by July 1. Bob will follow up in July with those interested regarding the nomination process.
For more information on grants or proposal preparation, contact Bob Weisenfeld in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (x7049 or bweis@gustavus.edu).
In the Media
Here are some noteworthy Gustavus-related stories that recently appeared in print or broadcast media locally, regionally, or around the nation:
- Ben Carlson '11 and Jeff Jeremiason (environmental studies, chemistry) were interviewed for a story on National Science Foundation grants at Minnesota private colleges. The story appears on the Minnesota Private Colleges website.
- Jim Gilbert (environmental studies) was quoted in an April 27 Star Tribune story about getting your garden ready for spring.
- The Mankato Free Press printed a news brief about the Gustavus Author Tea on the front page of its April 28 Arts & Culture section.
- The St. Peter Herald printed a photo and story in its April 28 edition of the Gustavus forensics team winning a national title at the National Forensics Association National Championships.
- The Mankato Free Press printed a story on the front page of its April 24 Valley section about Frank Abagnale's upcoming public speaking appearance on campus.
- Mark Braun's appointment as provost and dean of the college was mentioned in an April 22 Sioux Falls Argus Leader story.
- The Mankato Free Press printed a news brief on April 23 about poet Anna George Meek's appearance on campus.
- The St. Peter Herald printed stories about the Gustavus Author Tea, the Frank Abagnale speaking engagement, and the Take The Hill Triathlon in its April 21 edition.
- The Mankato Free Press printed a story on the front page of its April 21 Valley section about Gustavus being included in The Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges.
Anyone who has suggested additions for this list, suggestions for potential future media stories, or interest in being a media source should contact Marketing and Communication (x7520 or ga_news@gustavus.edu).
Position Openings
- Internship director, Center for Servant Leadership (CSL)
- Director, communication services and multimedia innovation, Marketing and Communication
- Macintosh coordinator/user services, GTS
For more information on the aforementioned position(s), call Human Resources (x7304).
News & Announcements
Reception Honoring Interim VPs... The Gustavus community is cordially invited to attend a reception for Provost David Fienen and Vice President Jeff Stocco on Thursday, May 5, 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall. There will be a brief program at 3 p.m. The reception is to thank these colleagues who have served the past two years in interim positions: David as provost and dean of the College, and Jeff as vice president for student affairs and dean of students. In June Jeff will assume the position of director of the Center for Servant Leadership. David will retire after 38 years of service as organist/cantor at Christ Chapel and professor of music.
Campus Happenings
Chapel Schedule... All are invited to the worship services at 10 a.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays in Christ Chapel. The upcoming schedule is as follows.
- Friday, April 29 - Arbor Day: Herb Chilstrom (interim dir., Linnaeus Arboretum)
- Sunday, May 1 - Mary Gaebler (religion)
- Monday, May 2 - Deborah Goodwin (religion)
- Tuesday, May 3 - Seán Easton (classics)
- Wednesday, May 4 - MAYDAY! Conference: Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, morning keynote speaker
- Thursday, May 5 - Paul Huff (senior student)
- Friday, May 6 - Greg Mueller, Sesquicentennial artist-in-residence
Final Faculty Shop Talk of the Year... Mark Bjelland (geography) will present the last Faculty Shop Talk of the 2010-11 academic year. His talk, titled “From Toxic to Trendy: Gentrification of the Minneapolis Riverfront,” will be presented on Friday, April 29, at 4:30 p.m. in the Interpretive Center. Feel free to arrive any time after 4:15 p.m. The abstract for this and future talks may be viewed at http://gustavus.edu/events/shoptalks/.
Relay for Life... Hundreds of Gusties will participate in the 2011 Relay For Life at Gustavus. Colleges Against Cancer is set to host the annual event, which will take place in Lund Center beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, and ending with a closing ceremony at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 1. Gusties will celebrate the lives of those battling cancer, remember the ones we have lost, and fight back against a disease which has taken too much. Nearly 50 relay teams will keep one member on the track throughout the night. In addition to walking the track all night, participants will enjoy music from live bands, games, food, and prizes. The event, which is open to all members of the Gustavus community, is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Last year the Gustavus event raised over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society and this year’s event is on track to exceed this. This year’s event will kick off with a "celebrate" ceremony at 7 p.m. honoring all those who have survived cancer. Those lost to the disease will be remembered at 9:30 p.m. through the lighting of luminary bags. Luminaries may be purchased for $10 from any Relay participant or online at www.relayforlife.org/gustavusadolphus. The event will wrap up on Sunday morning with the announcement of the fundraising total. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/gustavusadolphus or contact Samantha Rother by e-mail at srother@gustavus.edu.
Spring Percussion Concert on Sunday... The Gustavus Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of adjunct professor Paul Hill, will present its annual spring concert in Björling Recital Hall on Sunday, May 1, at 1:30 p.m. The program includes a new composition by Sean Prichard ’11, along with other works on standard, as well as not-so-standard, percussion instruments. The concert is free and open to the public.
Woodwinds Performance Marks Retiring Conductor's Final Concert... Long-time professor of music and bassoonist Ann Pesavento will retire at the end of the spring term after 33 years of service to the Department of Music at Gustavus. Before she retires, she will preside over one final woodwind chamber concert on Sunday, May 1. The concert includes performances by the Kalmar Woodwind Quintet, the Quadrivium Winds, the Gustavus Saxophone Quartet, and the Senior Bassoon Quartet. Sunday’s Woodwind Chamber Concert begins at 3:30 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.
St. Ansgar's Chorus, Chamber Singers Perform Joint Concert... The St. Ansgar's Men's Chorus and the Gustavus Chamber Singers, both directed by visiting instructor of music Rod Urtel, close a weekend of Music Department performances with a joint spring concert in Jussi Björling Recital Hall on Sunday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. The concert opens with the St. Ansgar's Chorus, accompanied by pianist Bonnie Jorgensen, singing a program that includes traditional standards, spirituals and other sacred works, and works from Broadway musicals. The Gustavus Chamber Singers follow with a variety of jazz standards and works from musicals. The concert is free and open to the public.
MAYDAY! Conference Debates Death Penalty... Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of the critically-acclaimed book Dead Man Walking, and Robert Blecker, professor of law at New York Law School, will keynote the 31st annual MAYDAY! Peace Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday, May 4. This year’s conference is titled “Executing Justice: Debating Capital Punishment.” Sister Prejean, who is anti-capital punishment, will lead off the conference at 10 a.m. in Christ Chapel. Blecker, a death penalty advocate, will deliver the 1:30 p.m. keynote address in Alumni Hall. In addition to the keynote addresses, the MAYDAY! Peace Conference will include an international student panel discussion at 12:15 p.m. in the Jackson Campus Center Heritage Room. Also, there will be two public film screenings on the two days prior to the conference—the film Dead Man Walking at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2, in Olin Hall Room 103, and the documentary Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at the same site. (A Q&A session with Blecker will follow the 7 p.m. screening.) The annual MAYDAY! Peace Conference was established at Gustavus in 1981 by Florence and the late Raymond Sponberg of North Mankato to educate the campus community about issues related to peace, human rights, and social justice. All events related to the MAYDAY! Peace Conference are free and open to the public. For more information about the conference, contact the Gustavus Office of Marketing and Communication at 507-933-7520 or marketing@gustavus.edu.
Peter Yarrow Family Concert... Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame, will present a family concert event at Lund Arena on Thursday, May 19, starting at 7 p.m. The event is free to the public and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Food donations for the local food shelf will be collected. For more information, contact Doug Wolfe at dwolfe@tbs.lib.mn.us.
Tickets Now on Sale for Theatre Department's Production of Hamlet... Tickets for the Department of Theatre and Dance's production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, scheduled for May 5-8 and 12-14, are now on sale at the Gustavus Ticket Center in the Jackson Student Center or online at gustavustickets.com. Please note that the final performance of Hamlet on Saturday, May 14, has been changed from a matinee.
'Books in Bloom'... Gustavus Library Associates (GLA) hosts its first-ever "Books in Bloom" event May 6-8 at the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library. Books in Bloom is a unique event that will highlight books, media, and other resource material within the library through floral arrangements and artistic expression. More than 20 exhibits will be on display—each of them sponsored by an individual, family, or academic department and created by professional florists and flower enthusiasts—that represent and illustrate a book or other holding from the library. The exhibits will be open and guided tours available 3-5 p.m. Friday, May 6; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 7; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 8. Maps and brochures describing each exhibit will be available. It is open to the public without charge. For more information about Books in Bloom, contact the Gustavus Office of Marketing and Communication at 507-933-7520 or marketing@gustavus.edu.
Off-Campus Events of Interest
Open House at Realife... The Realife Cooperative of St. Peter (500 West Jackson St.) is observing its 20th anniversary with an open house on Sunday, May 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. Realife offers gracious, independent Senior living. You're invited to
join the current residents and staff for hors d'oeuvres, tours, and door prizes.
Semester in India Students Regather for Presentation... You're invited to "India Ink," a presentation by students who participated in the Fall 2010 Gustavus Semester in India program ("Social Justice, Peace, and Development"), to be held Wednesday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at the Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota Ave.). This event includes a staged reading of journals kept by students during their travels throughout India. Refreshments will be provided.
Plugs
Play Ball!... Women are needed for the City of St. Peter summer slow-pitch softball season. Be a part of the Autotronics team by calling Cease Ballman at 507-420-1363. A little experience is necessary; a desire to have fun is a must.
For Sale... 1996 Mercury Sable. 63,000 miles. Previous owner was the late Chester Johnson, who kept it in great shape. Call Gene Lund at 931-1913.
For Rent... One-bedroom apartment. Completely furnished, all utilities except laundry and phone. No smoking, no pets. Call Gene Lund at 931-1913.
Home for Sale... A split-level home built in 1972, located six blocks from campus. Updated bathrooms in 2010, has central air, new shingles in 2010. Three bedrooms, two baths, with over 2,000 square ft. of living space. A double attached garage, brick patio out back and nicely landscaped yard. Contact Becky Barnes for more information, x7025 or bbarnes@gustavus.edu.
Looking for a Home... Hannah Godbout (counseling center) writes: "I am a gustavus employee and my husband has recently started working in Le Sueur. We are currently living in the Waseca and are looking to relocate to the St. Peter area. We are in our early 30s; we do not have any children but we do have one (very well behaved) cat. We are interested in renting a house but may be willing to consider a duplex/triplex or townhome. We are especially interested in homes with character. For example, we love hardwood floors, open floor plans, built-ins, radiated heat, porches and yards with space to garden. We are excellent renters, have fantastic references if needed, and would be looking for a place around August 2011." Contact Hannah at hgodbout@gustavus.edu.
Lovely Victorian Home for Sale... 1108 South 4th Street, St. Peter. Light-filled, spacious rooms with hardwood floors, three+ bedrooms, office, double living room, detached two-car garage, yard with fruit trees, raspberries, strawberries, and herb garden. Sit on the front porch and listen to Rock Bend Folk Festival under the sweeping maple trees. Contact Mike at hvidsten@gustavus.edu or 651-468-8441 for more information.
"Plugs" is maintained as a forum by which members of the Gustavus community may offer goods and/or services to others in the community, or seek the same from them. It is not meant to accommodate ads or announcements from area businesses such as real estate agents or retailers, although from time to time such announcements may be published when deemed to be of particular interest to the community.
Thank-Yous
Here's a message for everyone from Elaine Brostrom, as dictated to her speech therapist last week: "You can't know how much you've meant to me in these last few weeks. I'm so grateful for your love and support. To know that you are with me has been a wonderful gift!"
To add or change items on the calendar, please fill out and submit a College Calendar event form. View the entire College Calendar online.
News
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Tavan Radke: 2024 Recipient of the Lee and Laurie Walker Scholarship Award
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First-Gen Students, Now Faculty and Staff
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Philip Bryant Wins Faculty Scholarly Achievement Award
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Peter and the Starcatcher
2 weeks ago by msousa
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Sincerely Yours, The Comeback Kids
3 weeks ago by Marisa Bacon
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Aney, Nelson Receive DIIICA Regional Student-Athletes of the Year Honors
10 months ago by CJ Siewert
From Athletics
Softball Has 12 Named NFCA Scholar-Athletes
11 months ago by Jordan Modjeski
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Women’s Basketball Earns WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll
11 months ago by Jordan Modjeski
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MIAC nominates Nelson for NCAA Woman of the Year, Aney for DIIICA Men’s Sport Student-Athlete of the Year
11 months ago by CJ Siewert
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Men’s Hoops Earns NABC Academic Awards
11 months ago by CJ Siewert
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Inside Gustavus is a newsletter for Gustavus Adolphus College employees produced by the Office of Marketing and Communication. It is published weekly during the academic year (except during the week of Thanksgiving, the Christmas break, Touring Week, and the Spring and Easter breaks). Anyone may submit items by filling out an online submission form. While online submissions are preferred, items may also be submitted typewritten on a letter-sized sheet of paper. Send "snail mail" items to: Inside Gustavus, Office of Marketing and Communication. Items must reach the office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday before publication. The week of Nobel Conference the deadline is 4:30 p.m. Monday. For more information, contact Steve Waldhauser (waldo@gustavus.edu or x6413).
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