The Yellow Sheet for Oct. 5, 2006October 5, 2006 | Volume 39, Number 5

News & Announcements

Homecoming and Family Weekend... To view all activities taking place this weekend for Homecoming and Family Weekend, click here.

Fit Campus... This week Gustavus received the distinction of being named one of the "fittest" college's in the nation by Men's Fitness magazine. Gustavus is the only Minnesota college in the list of 25 higher educational institutions in the nation. The ranking was based on data from the annual Princeton Review and included student opinions, and information on nutrition, health, and exercise participation and facilities. More is online at Fittest Colleges in America 2006.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER:

This is a time of year where reminders abound that Gustavus Adolphus College truly is an extraordinary place. This week alone, between the Nobel Conference and Homecoming and Family Weekend, we are all kept hopping, but it is always heartwarming to see the way our community rises to the occasion to make our guests feel welcome and make the events we host so meaningful.

The Nobel Conference is a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity that helps to make this place so distinctive. As has been true for the past 40-plus years, again we created an event that is at once educational, energizing, and engaging. It's an event of such scale that it touches nearly every corner of our campus. Tim Robinson and his committee has done a terrific job of leading the charge, but there are so many people that played critical roles in this week that there is no way to thank you all by name in The Yellow Sheet. Please know that all of your efforts are greatly appreciated by me and by the thousands in attendance.

With Homecoming and Family Weekend upon us, as with the Nobel Conference, we will once again welcome many of our alumni, parents, and other family members back to campus in a manner that shows off this great college and its strong Gustavus spirit. My appreciation goes out to all who are working to make this coming weekend (and the following weekend of Founders Day and Board of Trustee meetings) as smooth and successful as the last few days have been.

Enjoy the Homecoming activities and the remaining fall days.

Warmest Regards,

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. 6 -- Commemoration of St. Francis, Genesis 1:20-28
  
• Oct. 8 -- Family Weekend, Chaplain Rachel Larson
  
• Oct. 9 -- Coming Out Day, Andrew Howard, Luke 11:37-44
  
• Oct. 10 -- Amy Pehrson, Galatians 3:23-29
  
• Oct. 11 -- Morning Praise, Psalm 102:1-17
  
• Oct. 12 -- Paul Woodruff, Psalm 8
  
• Oct. 13 -- Mary Gaebler, Romans 11:25-32
  
• Oct. 15 -- 19th Sunday in Pentecost, Chaplain Brian Johnson
  

Run in Saturday's Fun Run... The annual Homecoming Fun Run will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. The first 120 participants are eligible to purchase a T-shirt for $3. Sign up by Friday, Oct. 6 at the table in the Campus Center. This event is sponsored by the Peer Assistants and Campus Activities Board.

Plant for Spring on Saturday... Join the Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Linnaeus Arboretum for a "planting of the daffodils" party. Two thousand holes have already been drilled, so come help plant a couple of bulbs in anticipation of the spring bloom. Come plant anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Neal and Leandra Concert Saturday... Neal Hagberg ('81) and Leandra Peak ('83) will give a Homecoming Weekend concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 in Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall. The duo has earned the respect and reputation as one of the country's finest folk duos. They have produced six CDs and toured in nearly every state. One of their first successes, "Old Love," has earned "classic" status and is listed as the most requested song on Minnesota Public Radio's "Morning Show." The Star Tribune of Minneapolis wrote that "listening to Leandra Peak's distinctively husky and lustrous voice might be as heavenly as listening to angels" and "Neal Hagberg writes inspired originals." Tickets for the performance are available at the SAO ticket center (x7590); tickets remaining at show time will be on sale one hour prior to the concert in the recital hall lobby.

Family Weekend Concert Sunday... The annual Family Weekend/Homecoming Showcase Concert is set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 in Christ Chapel. The concert will feature mini-performances (each ensemble performs for 15 minutes) by the Gustavus Choir, the Gustavus and Vasa Wind Orchestras, the Lucia Singers, and the Gustavus Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras. The concert is free and open to the public.

Peace Studies Lecture Tuesday... The public is invited to a free lecture, "Hope for Development in the Crossfire: The Afro-Colombian Quest for Freedom," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Social Science Center, room 101. Gov. Luis Gilberto Murillo, a native Colombian and well-known political advocate for a U.S. foreign policy that promotes peace with justice, will present the lecture. Murillo is one of the most active Afro-Colombian voices in Washington D.C., and currently serves as senior international policy analyst for Lutheran World Relief. Murillo, Lutheran World Relief, and the Sal y Luz partnership work to build peace in Colombia through education and advocacy efforts. The Peace Studies program and Sal y Luz (Salt and Light) Peace is Possible in Colombia partnership is sponsoring this event.

Cancer Support Group Meeting Wednesday... The campus Cancer Support Group will meet at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 11 in Linner Lounge. Those interested are invited to bring their lunch and join the conversation.

Education and Democrary Lecturer to Visit... Paul Woodruff, Darrel K. Royal Professor in Ethics and American Society in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, will be on campus Thursday, Oct. 12 and Friday, Oct. 13. Woodruff's visit will focus on the power of the liberal arts to nourish democracy and the virtues of democratic society and of those who are called to contribute to the common good. His visit will include a chapel homily Thursday morning, a public address Thursday evening, meal conversations, and class visits. Woodruff's schedule includes:

• Thursday, Oct. 12
  10 a.m. -- homily during the morning chapel service in Christ Chapel
  12:30 p.m. -- lunch and conversation in the St. Peter Room
  5 p.m. -- dinner and conversation in the St. Peter Room
  7 p.m. -- public address -- "Education for Democracy: The Ancient Voices" -- in the Heritage Room (a reception to follow)
  
  
• Friday, Oct. 13
  11:30 a.m. -- lunch and conversation in the St. Peter Room
  

Anyone interested in attending the lunch and/or dinner conversations should RSVP to Amy Pehrson (x7169 or apehrson@gustavus.edu) in the Center for Vocational Reflection by Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Talk Shop Oct. 13... Scott Bur (chemistry) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 in the Interpretive Center. Bur's talk is titled "The Art of Synthesis: Reproducing the Beauty in Nature." Feel free to arrive any time after 4:15 p.m. Click here to view the abstract for this and future talks.

"Health Care Mess" Lecture Oct. 18... Kip Sullivan, J.D., author of "The Health Care Mess: How We Got Into It and How We'll Get Out of It," will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in Olin Hall, room 103. Sullivan has been writing and speaking about the health care crisis in the United States since 1986. A graduate of Harvard Law School and author of more than 100 articles, Sullivan is well known for his thorough knowledge of health care policy. Sullivan's lecture will review the three major contenders in the health policy debate: single-payer (or Medicare for all), managed care, and high-deductible policies. He will focus not only on the history and evolution of the U.S. health care system but also on the ways the current system can be improved. The event is free and open to the public; refreshments and a book signing will follow. Sullivan's visit is sponsored by the Departments of Nursing and Scandinavian Studies and the Women's Studies program.

OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS OF INTEREST:

Visit Alpaca Farm This Weekend... See and touch alpacas and products made from alpacas from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8. Kathy Erlandsen (institutional advancement/Gustavus Fund) will host tours at her farm -- Cozy Acres Alpacas, located at 34456 405th Ave., Le Sueur. Directions from St. Peter are: Take highway 169 north to highway 22 west; turn right onto 403rd Avenue; turn left at the T intersection, and turn right onto 405th Avenue. The farm is the only one on the left-hand side of the road. Click here to view more Minnesota farms participating in the open house statewide tour.

Art Fair in Motion This Weekend... Discover the spirit of fall and the fine arts in the beautiful bluffs of the Minnesota River Valley at RiverCrossings: Art Fair in Motion to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. Browse through artists' studios and local sponsoring businesses for original works of art, artist demonstrations, improv by St. Peter Area Children's Theatre, audience participation dance workshop by Good Cooks Dance, Windforest Choral presentation, and music by the Sweet Adelines, Sunday Punch, Soundsation, and Katie Young. At least two Gustavus staff members will display and sell their artwork -- Angie Archer (chemistry) will exhibit her digital paintings at Drummers Garden Center in Mankato and Judy Helmeke (chemistry) will exhibit her watercolor paintings at Waldo's Coffee Company in St. Peter. Click here for more information and locations.

Fine Crafts Festival This Weekend... Patricia Freiert (professor emerita of classics) will show her hand-dyed silk scarves at the Minnesota Crafts Council Fall Show Oct. 7-8 in the Progress Center at the state fairgrounds in St. Paul. The Minnesota History Center purchased two of Freiert's pieces at the Crafts Council's show in June for their permanent collection. Click here for further information and a coupon discounting admission.

Star Watch Class Tuesday... Mike Lynch will present a class on Minnesota star watching at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 in the Treaty Site History Center. Watch the celestial show in the skies over the St. Peter area, starting with an indoor orientation followed by quality time outside under the heavens. Large reflecting telescopes, including one of the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota, will be used. Lynch is a meteorologist at WCCO Radio and has been teaching astronomy classes for over 35 years. This class is best suited for adults and children ages eight and older. Children must be accompanied by adults. Lawn chairs are welcome. Cost is $15 per person or $30 per family. Register with St. Peter Community and Family Education (934-3048).

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE:

Mark Braun (associate dean and communication studies) had a letter on the College's participation in the Mankato Envision 2020 process published in "Greater Mankato Today," a publication of the Greater Mankato Chamber of Commerce and an insert in a September 2006 Free Press of Mankato.

Patricia Costello (psychology) was part of a group of individuals who recently had a paper, "A gender and sexual orientation-dependent spatial attentional effect of invisible images," accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bob Douglas (geography) made the following presentations: "Waterfalls of the Minnnesota River Valley," a field trip on Monday, Sept. 4 for the St. Paul Parks and Trails Council; "Evolution of the Minnesota River Valley for the EPA Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Seven Mile Creek Park; and "The Swedes and Sudanese in the Minnesota River Valley: Geographical Commonalities of Old and New Immigration" on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the 30th annual meeting of the Prairie Devision of the Canadian Association of Geographers in Rugby, N.D., the geographic center of North America (and in the middle of nowhere, according to Douglas).

Michelle Gillman (music) recently received an ASCAP award for the 2006-07 season. The award was granted in recognition of her work over the past year and her upcoming performances.

Mark Granquist (religion) had three articles published in the recently released reference volume, "The American Midwest: An interpretative Encyclopedia," published by Indiana University Press, 2006. The articles are on the Lutherans, the Baptists, and C.F.W. Walther.

OBITUARIES:

• Lilly Marie Huff, mother of Doug Huff (philosophy), died Sunday, Oct. 1 at the age of 97. Her funeral service was held Wednesday, Oct. 4 in Garrison, Minn.

POSITION OPENINGS:

• Catering Supervisor, Dining Service
• Gift Planner, Institutional Advancement

CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH:

Student Visits... The Office of Church Relations will host a high school group from Brainerd area churches, sponsored by Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sunday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 9.

Open House... The Office of Church Relations will host an informal open house from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 during Homecoming and Family Weekend for clergy families who have students attending Gustavus.

FUNDING OPPS:

• 2007-2008 Fellowships at Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University for Natural Scientists and Mathematicians... Radcliffe Institute fellowships are designed to support scholars of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment who wish to pursue work in academic disciplines, professional fields, and creative arts. Stipends are funded up to $60,000 for one year with additional funds for project expenses. Fellows receive office or studio space and access to libraries and other resources of Harvard University. Residence in the Boston area and participation in the Institute community are required during the fellowship year, which extends from September 2007 through June 30, 2008. There are separate competitions for natural scientists and mathematicians (the upcoming deadline is Dec. 4) and for creative artists, humanists, and social scientists (that deadline has passed). Click here for more information and application materials or to see a list of past fellows.

IN THE MEDIA:

• This year's Nobel Conference was featured in the following media:
• "A Warning About Health Care's Direction: Unhappy choices" on the front page of The Valley section of The Free Press of Mankato on Oct. 4 ; the article included a color photograph of presenter Daniel Callahan as he spoke to the audience. A teaser, with color photo, appeared on the front page of the newspaper;
• Two articles ran on the front page of The Free Press of Mankato on Oct. 1:
  • "Medicine Subject of Nobel Conference: Timely topic," including a color photograph of students Rachel Dorr and Lynsi Espe in the biology lab, interviews with Colleen Jacks (biology), Tim Robinson (conference director and psychology), and students Danielle Gergen, Mohamed Hussein, Jenna Kesty, and Chris Stark
  • "Minnesota medicine to share spotlight";
• "Gustavus to host 42nd annual Nobel Conference" on the front page of the Sept. 28 St. Peter Herald; and
• The October 2006 Wired, in the calendar listing.
• A Sept. 29 St. Paul Pioneer Press article on the 2008 Republican convention in the Twin Cities included an interview with Chris Gilbert (political science).
• Gustavus ranking sixth out of 25 colleges in the November 2006 of Men's Fitness magazine's list and accompanying story, "Fittest Colleges in America 2006," was also published on the front page of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis on Oct. 4 in the daily "Have you Heard" feature. A story is also in the works by The Free Press of Mankato.

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

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.