The Yellow Sheet for May 22May 22, 2008 | Volume 40, Number 33

Volume 40, Number 33

• News & Announcements
• Campus Happenings
• Off-Campus Events
• Extraordinary People
• New Faces
• Congregational Outreach
• In the Media
• Hours
• Plugs
• Corrections
• Calendar of Events
• Submit an Item Online

News & Announcements

Last YS of School Year... This is the last community newsletter of the 2007-08 academic year. The YS will resume publication on Thursday, Sept. 4. To announce events and information to the College community during the summer months, the Office of Marketing and Communication will publish The Summer Scoop monthly in June, July, and August.

Annual Employee Picnic... The annual all-employee picnic is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the President's House. This year's gathering is billed as "A Farewell to Jim and Susan," honoring retiring President Jim Peterson and his wife, Susan. All community members are invited and encouraged to attend.

Advancement Candidates to Visit Campus... The search committee for the College's next vice president for institutional advancement has invited three finalist candidates to visit campus next month. Incoming President Jack Ohle has freed his calendar to be on campus during the visits.
     Each candidate will participate in facilitated open sessions designed to provide faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to get to know them, pose questions, and provide input. The sessions are scheduled as follows: Candidate No. 1 — Monday, June 9, 1-2 p.m., Linner Lounge; Candidate No. 2 — Tuesday, June 10, 1-2 p.m., Linner Lounge; Candidate No. 3 — Wednesday, June 11, 1-2 p.m., Heritage Room, Jackson Campus Center. As the candidates' arrival gets closer, their names and resumes will be made available to the campus community via a password-protected website.

Taking a New Look at Alumni Relations... A Presidential Task Force has been established to work for four months to examine alumni relations. Part of the work will be a major phone survey of 1,200 alumni inquiring about their satisfaction with their education, knowledge of college happenings, and general interest and engagement with Gustavus. The alumni body numbers nearly 25,000 and should be considered a major asset of the College and represent the outcome of the work education that happens while students are on campus. The goal of the task force is to create a 3-5 year strategic plan to increase the level of engagement from the largest number of alumni. The task force includes Leila Brammer (communication studies), Josh Carter ’03, Dan Currell ’94, Adam Eckhardt ’08, Gwen Freed (college relations), Teresa Harland ’94 (institutional advancement), Jeff Heggedahl ’87, Mariangela Maguire (provost's office), Jan Michaletz ’74, Randall Stuckey ’83 (alumni relations), Barb Larson Taylor ’93 (alumni relations), JoNes VanHecke ’88, and Ron White ’75.

Alumni Relations Launches New Website... In June the Alumni and Advancement Offices will receive a new online look with the much anticipated launch of a new website. The site uses the ActiveCampus software, which is a product of Datatel, the same software currently being employed by the Admission website. The advantage to this software is the compatibility with Datatel. For example, graduating seniors can log into the alumni site using their same e-mail username and password and the database synchs nightly with Datatel, which enables the site to target content based on alumni biographical information. All alumni will be receiving a username and password, which allows them access to an online alumni directory and a more dynamic career services website (a joint partnership between the Alumni Office and Career Center). Check out the new site the first part of June at www.gustavus.edu/alumni.

Garden Tour Driver Wanted... Arboretum staff are seeking one more van driver for the Linnaeus Arboretum Summer Solstice Garden Tour on Sunday, June 22. The tour will be leaving the Lind Interpretive Center at 10 a.m. to see two gardens in New Ulm and returning to Linnaeus Arboretum for refreshments and a short program around 3 p.m. Drivers will receive free tour admission, lunch, and refreshments. Drivers must be van-certified. Come and enjoy a great day of "Garden Hopping" and help the Arboretum. Contact Shirley Mellema at 933-6181 or e-mail shirley@gustavus.edu if interested.

Hosts Still Needed for Commencement Exercises... Hosts are still needed to assist at commencement exercises—the first to be held in the new stadium (weather permitting). To sign up, contact Dana Lamb at x7550 or dlamb@gustavus.edu. Volunteers should arrive at Hollingsworth Field (or Lund Arena if inclement weather) by noon on Sunday, June 1. Hosts are welcome to stay for the ceremony itself or may leave immediately after it starts at 2 p.m.

Represent Gustavus at the 'Great Minnesota Get-Together' ... Gustavus is again planning a booth at the Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 21-Sept. 1, 2008, and you can help staff it. The booth, in the Education Building, needs to be covered by staff, faculty, student, and/or alumni volunteers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Four-hour shifts are available for each day of the 12-day fair—9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-5 p.m., and 5-9 p.m. Two or three people are needed for each shift. To sign up, call or e-mail Bob Neuman (x7681, bneuman@gustavus.edu). Times will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Prior to the fair, training will be provided. Training meeting information will be announced at a later date.

Reading in Common Book Chosen... The Reading in Common selection committee has chosen its book for the fall. The book is Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China by John Pomfret. Pomfret, the Los Angeles bureau chief for the Washington Post and formerly the Post's Beijing bureau chief, will likely visit campus in September (though that has yet to be confirmed). The selection ties in with the 2008-09 Gustavus Global Outlook focus on China. Copies of the book will be available through the Book Mark.

Slate of 2008 Nobel Conference Presenters Is Complete... "Who Were the First Humans?” is the topic of the 44th annual Nobel Conference, to be held on October 7 and 8, 2008, at Lund Arena Center. The conference program will consider the full range of recent evidence gathered by population geneticists, anthropologists, paleoclimatologists, biologists, and evolutionary psychologists about the first modern humans—“Where did they come from, and how did they live?”—and what we may stand to learn from them about surviving the global challenges we face as a species today.
     Invited participants include Svante Pääbo, director of the Max Plank Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Curtis Marean, professor, Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe; Dennis Stanford, curator of archaeology and chair of the Anthropology Department at the Natural Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; Robin Dunbar, director, Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; J. Wentzel van Huyssteen, James I. McCord Professor of Theology and Science, Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey; and Marcus Feldman, director, Morrison Institute for Population and Resource Studies, Stanford University, California. Expanded biographies of these six presenters are available at gustavus.edu/nobelconference.
     Tim Robinson (psychology), director of the Nobel Conference, will host his ninth and final conference this fall. Robinson was named director in 2000, succeeding longtime director Chaplain Richard Elvee. Chuck Niederriter (physics) will assume the directorship in June and host his first conference as director in October 2009; that conference will address water resources. 

Diversity Progress Report Posted... In keeping with Gustavus’s strong commitment to diversity in its many forms, President Peterson has released a progress report on some key efforts on campus this academic year. To view the entire report, visit this link to the password-protected file: http://gustavus.edu/diversityreport.

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, May 23 - Kristen Burson (senior student)
• Sunday, May 25 - Chaplain Rachel Larson
• Monday, May 26 - Adam Eckhart (senior student)
• Tuesday, May 27 - Litany for travelers
• Sunday, June 1 - Baccalaureate (two services: 9 and 10:30 a.m.; tickets required)

Wind Orchestra to Perform Season Finale... The Gustavus Wind Orchestra and Conductor Douglas Nimmo will present the Department of Music's season finale on Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m. in Christ Chapel. Saturday's concert will feature historic and contemporary works as well as a euphonium soloist. It is free and open to the public.
     Conductor Douglas Nimmo has served as director of bands at Gustavus since 1987 and completes twenty years as conductor of the ensembles with Saturday's concert. During his tenure with the band, he has conducted concerts across the United States and Europe. In January 1990, the Gustavus Band (now Wind Orchestra) was the first American ensemble invited to perform in a free East Berlin. Four years later, Nimmo led the ensemble on a ground-breaking tour through Central Europe with concerts in East Germany, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, and Hungary. The wind orchestra retraced these steps in 2006 with a standing-room-only concert tour ending with a performance in Salzburg, Austria, on the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

College Authors Read Tomorrow Night... "Reading Day: A gathering of Gustavus Adolphus College poets and writers" will take place on Friday, May 23, starting at 7 p.m. at the Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota Ave.) Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for AC members, with students admitted free.

Arts Center Membership Show Starts in Mid-June... From June 12 through July 13, a mixed media exhibition, "Arts Center's Own: 9th Annual Art Center Membership Show," will be hosted by the Arts Center of Saint Peter. A reception for the exhibition will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the center.

Extraordinary People

John Holte (MCS) gave a talk titled "The Gambler's Ruin Online and Offline" at the spring meeting of the Mathematical Association of America-North Central Section at the College of St. Benedict, April 25-26. Also, in the election at the business meeting, he became president-elect of the section.

Al Behrends (college relations-fine arts programs) was asked to speak at the opening reception of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council Juried Exhibition/15th Anniversary Celebration on May 9 at the Carnegie Art Center in Mankato. As a founding member of the council and a former board member, he was invited to speak on the 1993 founding of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council. His presentation was titled "Attila the Hun and a Short History of Arts Advocacy."

New Faces

The following people have recently joined the Gustavus community:

     New Support Staff

• Allen Mogensen, custodian (physical plant)
• Chad Reid, custodian (physical plant)
• Colby Schmidt, cook (Dining Service)

Congregational Outreach

Retreats... The Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Retreat Center, coordinated by the Office of Church Relations, will host a retreat for pastors from the seminary class of 1968 on Wednesday, May 28.

In the Media

Here are some noteworthy Gustavus-related stories that recently appeared in print or broadcast media around the nation:

• Chris Gilbert (political science) was quoted in a May 11 Star Tribune story about the 2008 legislative session.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a feature story on May 14 about 1980 graduate Paul Holbach, who was back in St. Peter last week coaching the Bowdoin women’s tennis team at the NCAA tournament.
• The St. Peter Herald printed stories about the forensics team, the Magnuson Award winners, and senior recitals in its May 15 edition.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a front page story on May 16 about Gustavus students affected by the earthquake in China. Incoming student Yujie Cheng and current student Chenyu Yang were quoted.
• The Mankato Free Press printed an accompanying story to China Earthquake story about procedures colleges have to contact students in disaster areas. Director of International Education Pat Quade was quoted.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a news brief on May 18 about the College’s new strategic plan.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a front page story and color photo on May 19 about Fulbright Scholar Addie Ryan.
• The media has devoted an inordinate amount of attention to 2003 graduate Ryan Hoag’s appearance on ABC’s primetime show The Bachelorette. The Mankato Free Press printed a news brief on May 14, Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman mentioned Gustavus in a May 17 story, Star Tribune gossip columnist C.J. mentioned Gustavus in a May 18 story, and Star Tribune entertainment reporter Neal Justin mentioned Hoag's association with Gustavus in a May 19 story.

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).

Hours

Extended Library Hours during Finals...

• Thursday, May 22 - 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
• Friday, May 23 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.
• Saturday, May 24 - 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Sunday, May 25 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.
• Monday, May 26 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 27 - 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Plugs

(Last chance to buy, sell, rent, dump, etc.)

Need a Ride East? I'm taking a U-Haul to Halifax around June 27, and would be glad to drop someone off along the way. David Wolfe, 902-471-7399, wolfe@gustavus.edu.

Home for Sale by Owner: 315 N. 4th Street, St. Peter. 2,300 sq. ft. of living space; home built in 1998; 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths; large master bedroom and bathroom suite; large 24' x 40' garage with insulated workshop; no-maintenance steel siding on house and garage; double-wide driveway; beautifully landscaped yard; great location across from park and close to downtown. $279,000. Call Gary Reinholtz at 507-382-6433 or e-mail him at garydeanr@comcast.net.

House for Rent: Beautiful, large home for rent during 2008-09 school year. Just outside of St. Peter in a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. Located on a wooded ravine lot, every view has you looking to the trees. Fully to partially furnished, 3- to 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with attached garage has all the comforts of home: fireplace, hardwood floors, screen porch, tire swing, master suite with clawfoot bathtub . . . No smoking, but pets are negotiable. "You must see to appreciate the value of this home." $1,250/month plus utilities (energy efficient, of course!). Available as early as July. Please contact Maria Jeremiason at 507-934-1532 or 651-226-1061, or e-mail mjathome@mchsi.com.

For Lease: A beachfront two-bedroom home on Lake Washington is available for lease to a Gustavus staff member for the 2008-09 academic year. The lease is $800 per month. Heat, electricity, cable tv, refuse, washer/dryer, storage space, and insulated garage are all included in lease price, as well as many other amenities. Available partly or totally furnished. Call 952-758-3430 or e-mail mbiehn@comcast.net.

Home for Sale: Spring is here! Time to enjoy a tree-lined lot next to a city park, an oversized garage with space for boat and car, the handyman workroom in the lower level, the screened porch for entertainment. Add the formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, master bedroom suite, two more bedrooms, and two full baths. Extra-wide lot and close to schools. "You will wonder why you waited so long to call." Call Tom Gover (612-866-1101).

For Rent: Updated two-bedroom house just blocks from campus. Reasonable rent. Available from August 2008 through January 2009. "Ideal for one-semester sabbatical sub or new faculty wishing to rent while house hunting." For additional information, please call Steve at 612-298-2020 or e-mail swright@gustavus.edu.

Babysitter Wanted: Occasional summer babysitter wanted for two children (ages 3 and 22 months) at home in lower North Mankato. Own transportation and references required. If interested contact Anna at 344-8119 or ahulsebe@gustavus.edu.

Home for Rent: For academic year 2008-09, mid-July to mid-July, dates negotiable. Rent also negotiable. One block from campus at 918 South Washington Ave. Two-story, three-bedroom home, built 1910, with hardwood floors and original woodwork. Beautiful back yard with playset and garden space. Large detached garage. Available furnished or partially furnished—ample storage space available. Washer/dryer, dishwasher. No smoking, please. Pets negotiable. Online photos available. E-mail spancier@gustavus.edu or call 507-934-2292.

"Plugs" is maintained as a forum by which members of the Gustavus community may offer goods and 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 and retailers, although from time to time such announcements may be published when deemed to be of particular interest to the community.

Corrections

Breton Harris's name was inadvertently left off the listing in the May 15 YS of the nine graduating Gustavus seniors who were accepted into Teach for America.

 



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

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The Yellow Sheet 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, e-mail submissions are preferred, items may also be submitted typewritten on a letter-sized sheet of paper. Send "snail mail" items to: The Yellow Sheet, 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 (ga_news@gustavus.edu or x6413).

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