The Yellow Sheet for Oct. 20, 2005October 20, 2005 | Volume 38, Number 7

News & Announcements

A Thank You and an Invitation... President Peterson received a letter from Michael K. Riley, Sr., chairperson of St. Peter Cares, Inc. regarding the recent men's basketball game to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Following are excerpts of that letter:

• Thank you: It was a pleasure to meet you and spend time talking with you concerning the charity basketball game, your college, and mutual matters of interest. On behalf of the Board of Directors of St. Peter Cares, Inc., I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to administration, faculty, and most of all the students of Gustavus Adolphus College for their support of hurricane relief.
• Invitation: It is the goal of St. Peter/Nicollet County Cares to continue its efforts to bring needed relief to Concordia Parish, Louisiana. Since most of our transportation is done by donated school buses, there is generally space available for passengers who may wish to see first hand the people and communities we are trying to assist. Should any member of the administration, staff, or the student population of Gustavus wish to accompany a delivery in the future, I will do my best to assist in arranging it.

Again, thank you for all of your help.

Alumni Award Nominations Sought... The Gustavus Alumni Association is seeking help identifying alumni nominees for the Greater Gustavus Award, Distinguished Alumni Citations, and First Decade Awards. Awards will be presented by the Gustavus Alumni Association in 2006. Past award recipients may be reviewed online. A description of each award follows:

• The First Decade Award recognizes early professional achievement to one male and one female in the 10th anniversary class. Nominees this year will be from the Class of 1996. Ten men and ten women are selected by a selection committee made up of classmates and are notified and asked to provide a resume or curriculum vita.
  
• The Greater Gustavus Award is awarded to those who have notably advanced and aided Gustavus Adolphus College through their actions. It is the highest award given by the alumni association. The alumni association requests that nominees are not made aware of their nomination.
  
• The Distinguished Alumni Citation recognizes outstanding and exceptional professional achievement, such as to bring unusual honor to the individual in his or her field of endeavor. Criteria appropriate to selection shall include the difficulty of accomplishment; quality, creativity, and distinctiveness of performance; recognition by professional peers; and lasting contribution to the world of ideas and affairs. While the citation is a professional award, humanitarian achievements may also be weighed. The alumni association requests that nominees are not made aware of their nomination.
  

Anyone wishing to nominate for the awards should contact Randall Stuckey (rstuckey@gustavus.edu). Information to substantiate each nominee would be appreciated. Nominations should be submitted by Friday, Oct. 28.

Outstanding Employee Awards... The Augusta Carlson Schultz Award for the Outstanding Support Staff Employee, the Eric Norelius Award for Outstanding Administrative Employee, and the Faculty Service Award will be presented at 10 a.m. daily chapel on Founders Day (Monday, Oct. 31) in Christ Chapel by President Peterson. The campus community is encouraged to attend the chapel service and the reception that will follow in Alumni Hall.

New Employee Benefits... Two new benefits are available to employees through UnumProvident. They are:

• Work-life balance employee assistance program: This program is provided by Ceridian Corporation, a premier provider of work-life effectiveness programs. Employees may access these services 24/7 by visiting www.lifebalance.net (user ID and password are lifebalance) or by making a confidential call to one of the following toll-free numbers:
  • 800/854-1446 (English)
  • 877/858-2147 (Spanish)
  • 800/999-3004 (TTY/TDD)
• Emergency travel assistance program: Worldwide emergency travel assistance services provide emergency medical assistance to the employee, the employee's spouse, and dependent children traveling to a foreign country or 100 miles or more away from home. Should any of these individuals become ill or have an accident, proper medical care anywhere in the world can be accessed by calling toll-free at 800/872-1414 within the United States or the U.S. access code + 301/656-4152 outside of the United States.

If questions about these new benefits, contact Nadine Haukoos in the Department of Human Resources (x7304).

President's Corner

Living next to the Linnaeus Arboretum, I frequently marvel at its natural beauty. I am thankful to all the people who have made this space possible and for the leadership throughout the years, most recently Jim Gilbert. As many of you know, Jim is stepping down as director of the arboretum and I would like to say thank you for everything he has done from all the realistic bird calls and his enthusiasm for the natural world to his stewardship of the land, but above all his excellent teaching. He has shared his knowledge and messages of stewardship with many Gustavus classes, numerous school groups, and countless others through walking tours, presentations, and radio programs.

On Nov. 1, Cindy Johnson-Groh will assume responsibilities as the arboretum's next director. She will encourage the use of the arboretum for education, research, and recreation; develop a long-range plan for plant diversity; and cultivate relationships with other arboretums. Britt Forsberg, a recent Gustavus graduate, has accepted a one-year appointment as campus naturalist and greenhouse manager. Britt will coordinate educational programming and further develop the resources available through the Melva Lind Interpretive Center. Through this transition Jim will continue to help with special tours and teach courses, but is scaling back his involvement.

I would like to once again thank Jim for his tremendous service to the arboretum and the College. He has brought so much to our students, been an excellent ambassador for Gustavus on campus and beyond, and an advocate of good stewardship of the land.

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:

• Oct. 21 -- Chaplain Brian Johnson, James 2: 14-26
  
• Oct. 23 -- No Chapel
  
• Oct. 24 -- No Chapel
  
• Oct. 25 -- No Chapel
  
• Oct. 26 -- Morning Praise, Psalm 1
  
• Oct. 27 -- Aaron Crowel, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Micah 6: 6-8
  
• Oct. 28 -- Vicar Callista Isabelle, Psalm 43
  
• Oct. 30 -- Reformation Sunday, Chaplain Rachel Larson
  

Talk Shop Friday... Jean Lavigne (geography) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk of the 2005-06 academic year. Her talk, titled "The Machine in the Garden: Environmental Rhetoric and the Politics of Snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park," will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 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 gustavus.edu/events/shoptalks/.

Book Sale Starts Wednesday... The library's annual fall book sale begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 30. There will be a bag sale Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30.

Farewell Reception Wednesday... The Office of Student Financial Assistance invites the campus community to a farewell reception for Tim Johnson (student financial assistance) from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 in Linner Lounge. Johnson's last day at Gustavus is Friday, Oct. 28. He is relocating to Galesburg, Ill.

Upcoming Ramadan Events... In observance of Ramadan and to share experiences of Islam during the traditional evening breaking of the fast, the following events will take place:

• At 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 in the basement of Uhler Hall, students and faculty will break the fast while listening to a lecture, titled "Medical practice by a Muslim and how he balances it," by Mohammed Solaiman, a physician at the St. Peter Clinic. Solaiman will tell the story of how a Muslim doctor works with science and his religion.
• At 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 in the Heritage Banquet Room, Hamed Sallam, professor of computer science at Minnesota State University, Mankato, will give a lecture, titled "How Islam has contributed to enlightenment, science and civilization at large." Sallam, who has lived in America for 20 years, will speak about the contributions to science that resulted from the Islamic faith.
  

The lectures and meals are sponsored by the Pan Afrikan Student Organization, Crossroads, the Diversity Center, the Department of Religion, and the Office of the Chaplains.

Wallenberg Lecture Wednesday... The Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Lecture will be given by internationally recognized Swedish peace researcher Peter Wallensteen at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 in Wallenberg Auditorium. Wallensteen is Dag Hammarskjold Professor of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden. His lecture, "Dag Hammarskjold: Diplomat, Peacemaker, and International Civil Servant," celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Swedish diplomat, second secretary-general of the United Nations, and Nobel peace laureate. Sponsored by the Peace Studies program and the Department of Scandinavian Studies, the lecture is free and open to the public. The annual Wallenberg Lecture honors the heroism and legacy of Raoul Wallenberg, whose support of persecuted Jews during World War II saved the lives of many. This lecture is free and open to the public.

In conjunction with this lecture, the public is invited to view the exhibit "Dag Hammarskjold: Markings and Milestones," exploring Hammarskjold's life, interests, and work, is on display during October in Christ Chapel. The exhibit is sponsored by the Office of the Chaplains.

Faculty Recital Oct. 30... Rebecca McConnaughey (soprano) and Esther Wang (piano), along with Warren Friesen (viola), Ruth Giles (flute), Adriana LaRosa-Ransom (cello), Sarah Erickson Lume (oboe), and Richard Weber (clarinet) will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 in Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public.

Administrator's Meeting Oct. 31... A meeting for all administrators has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 in the Heritage Banquet Room.

Student Senate Meeting Oct. 31... The Student Senate cabinet welcomes all administrators and faculty members to the next full meeting of the Student Senate at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 in the Board Room in the Campus Center. Members of the campus community are welcome to speak during the community comment portion of the meeting and should notify the senate of their wish to speak via e-mail (cabinet05@gustavus.edu). For more information on what the Student Senate is doing this semester, check out gustavus.edu/orgs/senate/.

Upcoming Continuing Ed Events... The public is invited to the following continuing education events:

• "Thailand, The Land of Smiles" will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 in the Heritage Banquet Room. As the only Southeast Asian country never colonized, Thailand has a long history and a fascinating culture. Jean Lavigne (geography) will present a slide show focusing on Thailand's experience with tourism. Cost is $15 per person and includes a Thai dinner.
  
• "Nov. 11 -- Armistice Day" will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 in the Interpretive Center. Ron Green (professor emeritus of education) will talk about the causes of World War I, describe some of the fiercest battles, and speculate on the legacies of the war after the armistice brought an end to the conflict. Cost is $5 per person and includes coffee and European pastries.
  
• "A Musical Sojourn to Europe!" will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 in the Interpretive Center. Pianist Esther Wang (music) and cellist David Carter (associate professor of music at St. Olaf College), will present works by international composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Cost is $5 per person and includes coffee and European pastries.
  

Pre-registration is required for these events. Register at the office of St. Peter Community and Family Education, Suite 207, 600 S. Fifth St., St. Peter. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday or register online. For more information, call 507/934-3048 and press zero for the operator. These events are Gustavus Adolphus College continuing education programs done in cooperation with the St. Peter Community and Family Education program.

Autumn Warmer Nov. 6... Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum invite everyone to their annual Autumn Warmer at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 in the Interpretive Center. Events start with a luncheon, followed by a presentation, titled "San Francisco: the City and its Region," by Robert Moline (professor emeritus of geography), and the Friends annual meeting. Reservations must be made by Tuesday, Nov. 1 with the Office of Special Events (x7520). Tickets are $8.

Tuition Benefit Meeting Nov. 9... There will be a tuition benefit meeting open to all employees from noon until 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the Dive. Kirk Carlson (student financial assistance) and Owen Sammelson (administration) will present information about the tuition benefit and exchange options. Contact Kirk Carlson (kcarlson@gustavus.edu or x6362) if questions.

OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS OF INTEREST:

Hurricane Relief Benefit Sunday... The public is invited to a benefit for hurricane relief from 3-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at Johnson Hall at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter. There will be music by the Echoes Big Band, baritone Michael Jorgensen (music), St. Peter residents Joel Brinker and Peggy Grey, Folkey Dokey, Paul Durenberger, Lonnie Knight, and the Fendermen, as well as food and prizes. All proceeds will go directly to St. Peter/Nicollet County Cares, a community-wide response for hurricane survivors in Concordia Parish, La. A $5 donation is requested at the door.

"Big Twang" Nov. 3... St. Peter native and Gustavus graduate Brian Wicklund (fiddle/mandolin), with national musicians Ben Winship (mandolin/bousouke), and Eric Thorin (bass), will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Arts Center of Saint Peter. Tickets are $12; seniors and children age 14 and under are $6. To make a reservation, call 931-3630 or e-mail artscentersp@msn.com.

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE:

Brian O'Brien (chemistry) participated in the American Chemical Society's (ACS) Program Planning and Coordinating Conference and Long-range Planning Conference as the representative of the ACS Division of Fluorine Chemistry. The meeting was held Oct. 8-9 in Baltimore.

OBITUARIES:

• Constant R. Johnson, brother of Clair Johnson (professor emeritus of religion) and father of Mark Johnson (geology research associate) passed away Saturday, Oct. 15 in St. Paul at the age of 83. His funeral service is Friday, Oct. 21 in Galesburg, Ill.

CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH:

Music in Worship... Any Gustavus music ensemble or soloist is welcome to perform in congregations. For more information, contact Marilyn Beyer (x7001).

FUNDING OPPS:

• Academic Research Enhancement Award Grants... The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) grants in an effort to stimulate research in educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced training and have not been major recipients of NIH research grant funds. These grants support small research projects in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, either for feasibility studies, pilot studies, or other small-scale programs that would provide data preliminary to a traditional research project grant or as support for an ongoing program of research. In the past, a maximum of $150,000 in direct costs, plus facilities and administrative costs, was allowed. Deadlines for the 2006 AREA grants are Feb. 25, June 25, and Oct. 25, which are one month later than usual. Please note that 2006 guidelines will be posted by the end of this month. For more information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm.
  

IN THE MEDIA:

• On Oct. 18, Inside Higher Ed, an online news source, published an article, titled "Noise in the Stacks," that included quotes by Barbara Fister (library).
• On Oct. 16, The Free Press of Mankato did a feature on the proposed football stadium, titled "Home Improvement: Gustavus' football venue on the cusp of a quantum leap forward." The article ran on the front page of the Sports section and included a color drawing of the stadium and quotes by Al Molde (athletics) and Jay Schoenebeck (coach and health and exercise science).
• On Oct. 16, The Free Press of Mankato ran a story on the front page of The Valley section on the St. Peter Food Co-op's annual harvest festival that featured Jean Lavigne's (geography) Environmental Attitudes class. Lavigne was quoted in the article and two color photographs.
• On Oct. 14, the Forward, a national Jewish newspaper, published a story, titled "As Episcopalians Reject Divestment, Groups See a Threat to Israel Ebbing Church Panel Sees 'Nothing Positive' in Bid," that included quotes by Darrell Jodock (religion).
• On Oct. 14, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis did a feature on Michelle Bjork ('99) in the newspaper's business section in a feature titled "Cash Check."
• On Oct. 13, the St. Peter Herald published a color photograph of Homecoming King John Wippler and Homecoming Queen Mollie Peterson, with a brief titled "Black and gold homecoming."
• On Oct. 9, The Free Press of Mankato did a feature on fall foliage that included quotes by Jim Gilbert (Linnaeus Arboretum).

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:

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.