The Yellow Sheet for Jan. 29, 2004January 29, 2004 | Volume 36, Number 16

News & Announcements

Community Budget Discussion... A community discussion of priorities for the 2004-2005 budget will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 10 in Alumni Hall. Prior to this discussion President Jim Peterson and members of the campus Budget Committee will meet with numerous groups across campus to explain these priorities and answer questions. Check the campus calendar for more information.

Gustavus Choir Presents LSS Benefit Concert... The Gustavus Choir will kick off its 2004 Winter Tour with a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The proceeds will benefit Rezek House, a ministry of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for seniors, and $12 general admission and will be available at the door.

Under the direction of Gregory Aune, the 60-voice choir will perform in selected cities in North Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The choir has toured annually throughout the U.S. and abroad with recent performances at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome; St. Mark's Cathedral, Venice; Carmel Mission Basilica in Calif.; and St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa.

This year's concert tour repertoire includes historical and contemporary, a cappella masterworks by composers such as Thomas Weelkes, Pavel Chesnokov, Gustav Schreck, Knut Nystedt, and Kenneth Jennings. The Gustavus Choir will conclude its tour with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in Christ Chapel.

Building a Greater Gustavus Celebration on Feb. 10... All members of the campus community are invited to a Feb. 10 Chapel service and following reception to celebrate reaching the "Building a Greater Gustavus" fundraising campaign target of $100 million. President Jim Peterson will be the homilist during the 10 a.m. worship service in Christ Chapel. The reception will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Alumni Hall and will include refreshments and a brief program. The campaign, the largest in college history, has focused on student scholarships, programs, and facilities. This event is sponsored by the Offices of the President and Institutional Advancement.

MATHCOUNTS on Campus Feb. 6... Gustavus will host the MATHCOUNTS Program on Feb. 6 in Alumni Hall, the Dive, and Linner Lounge. MATHCOUNTS is a national math coaching and competition program that enhances achievement in middle school mathematics. The regional Society of Professional Engineers is sponsoring the event for about 150 seventh and eighth graders from the greater Mankato area. Arrangements are being coordinated through the Office of Special Events and the Office of Summer Programs.

Gustavus Ranks in Top Volunteer Producing Colleges for Peace Corps ... According to a report published by the Peace Corps, Gustavus ranks 20th nationally among small colleges and universities with 18 alumni volunteers. This is up from 22nd place in 2003 with 15. For the complete list, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/news/resources/stats/pdf/schools2004.pdf.

Yellow Sheet Reminder... Due to touring week, The Yellow Sheet will not be published Feb. 5. Publication will resume Feb. 12.

President's Corner

As some of you know, Susan and I recently returned from a service trip to San Lucas Toliman on Lake Atitlan in the central highlands of Guatemala with members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Susan's church) and students from Luther Seminary. This was my sixth (Susan's tenth) trip to San Lucas to work with the parish priest Father Greg Schaefer, a remarkable servant leader, and the people of the village. These have been life-changing experiences for me and others who have gone. Among other things, it gives us a window into how our Guatemalan friends see the world, themselves, wealth and poverty, and their faith.

On this campus, I am continually reminded of how service to others is a hallmark of the Gustavus community. There are a multitude of examples from the more than 10,000 service hours given in the St. Peter community each semester to Kendra Rinas' Spirit of Freedom Award presented by Aetna Health Care for her work in Uganda to our graduates who volunteer for the Peace Corps and many, many other organizations.

This legacy of service is truly amazing and one that Susan and I are proud to be a part of.

Jim

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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:

• Jan. 30 -- Mark Dennis
• Feb. 1-8 -- No Chapel, Touring and Activity Period

Employee Enhancement Days are scheduled for Feb. 3-5. The complete schedule can be viewed online on the College Calendar.

OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS OF INTEREST:

Extraordinary People

Kendra Rinas, a junior political science major, received one of three "Spirit of Freedom Awards" given by Aetna Healthcare for volunteer work in Uganda last fall. The award was established in commemoration of the anniversary of 9/11 to encourage future leaders and support youth in their efforts to advocate for positive change and better society. This year, three winners were chosen based on "the way that the individuals stood out from their peers for notable achievements as well as demonstrating characteristics of an unsung hero." Rinas plans to return to Uganda, as early as this summer, to continue her work. An article on Rinas appeared in The Free Press of Mankato on Jan. 26: http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/story.php?storyid=65725

Reception for William Beckstrand Friday... William Beckstrand, interim organist in Christ Chapel, will complete his time with the College Jan. 30. All are invited to attend the 10 a.m. Chapel service Friday and join the community in a farewell reception near the baptismal font after the service.

GUSTAVUS TIDBITS:

To submit items (questions or answers) for consideration in this section, contact Jonathan Kraatz (x7510 or jkraatz@gustavus.edu.

FUNDING OPPS:

• NEH's We the People Initiative... The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently launched the We the People initiative to provide support for projects that explore significant events and themes in America's history and culture and that advance knowledge of the principles that define the U.S. In addition to five specific programs within the initiative, proposals will be accepted to all other NEH programs according to their respective deadlines. For more information, see http://www.wethepeople.gov/grants/index.html.

IN THE MEDIA:

• On Jan. 26, The Free Press of Mankato ran a front-page story on student Kendra Rinas who traveled to Uganda during fall semester. The article, titled "Complex poverty: Gustavus student Kendra Rinas immerses herself in a Ugandan village and finds charity only goes so far," included quotes by Rinas and Richard Leitch (political science) and two color photographs.
• On Jan. 25, The Free Press of Mankato published the following stories:
  
  • AmeriCorps members working at a Habitat for Humanity home in Mankato. The article included a black and white photograph and quotes by Annie Potts ('03).
  • Downtown St. Peter businesses, including Swedish Kontur Imports, and quotes by Julie Aune (music), Anders Bjorling (retired controller), and Betsy Hogberg (wife of Steve Hogberg, institutional advancement).
• On Jan. 22, the St. Peter Herald published a front-page article on Erin Hart, author of "Haunted Ground," the second book in the "St. Peter Reads" program. Hart and her husband appeared Jan. 22 on campus. The article was titled "Hart and soul."

Anyone who has suggested additions for this list, suggestions for potential future media stories, or interest in being a media source should contact Director of News and Information Jonathan Kraatz (x7510 or jkraatz@gustavus.edu).

HOURS:

TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATES:

• Jeannie Jensen, Faculty Development, x6227, jjensen2@gustavus.edu (addition)

A new campus directory will be published in February. For further information or corrections, contact Laura McCabe in telecommunications (x6261 or lmccabe@gustavus.edu).

PLUGS:

For Rent: House with 3 bedrooms, fireplace, porch, 1-car attached garage, near campus. Appliances included. Prefer no pets; no smoking. Available immediately. Asking $750/month. Call 931-1664 for more information.

For Sale: Mink coat with matching hat, smaller size, 3/4 length, light gray irmine, in excellent condition. Contact Gretchen Koehler (gkoehler@gustavus.edu, x7613, or 934-5441).

For Sale: Older home with a formal dining room; living room with hardwood floors and wood-burning fireplace; 3 bedrooms and bathroom upstairs; double garage; large trees, stream, perennials, and fruit trees; quiet location. Call 934-3650 for details.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

To add or change items on the calendar, please fill out and submit a College Calendar event form. View the entire College Calendar online.