The Yellow Sheet for November 6November 6, 2008 | Volume 41, Number 10

Volume 41, Number 10

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

News & Announcements

Holiday Schedule Change for College Christmas/New Year Season... Due to the way the Christmas and New Year holidays fall on the calendar this year, the College will be officially closed Dec. 22-26, 2008, and Jan. 1-2, 2009. Floating holidays this year are Dec. 22-24, Dec. 26, and Jan. 2. The Christmas holiday will be observed on December 25 and the New Year holiday will be observed January 1.
     HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

• Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008
• Day after Thanksgiving - Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
• Floating Holiday - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
• Floating Holiday - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
• Floating Holiday - Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008
• Christmas Day - Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008
• Floating Holiday - Friday, Dec. 26, 2008
• * College Open - Monday, Dec. 29, 2008
• * College Open - Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008
• * College Open - Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008
• New Year’s Day - Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009
• Floating Holiday - Friday, Jan. 2, 2009
  * Employees may work or may request a PTO/vacation day.

New Prairie Acreage Planted... The Coneflower Prairie (70 acres) was planted Monday and Tuesday of this week by Feder’s Prairie Seed Co. The rain and snow of the coming days will ensure that the seed has good contact with the soil, and the cold will keep the seeds from germinating. Come spring the seeds will be ready to germinate as soon as the soil temperature warms up. Also in the spring, the Arb staff will need volunteers to help plant species that are more successful when transplanted rather than planted by seed. Though the prairie is planted, it will take a few years before it "looks like a prairie." The first five years it will be mowed, burned, and managed to aggressively keep weeds out and give the prairie species time to get established. Take a walk and check out the Coneflower Prairie!

Employee and Retiree Flu Shot Clinic... On Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 7 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 4 p.m., flu shots will be offered to Gustavus employees and retirees on a first-come, first-served basis in Alumni Hall. Shots will be administered by Homeland Health Specialists, Inc. Employees and retirees who participate must bring their insurance card to the flu shot clinic. The following health plans will be accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners, Preferred One, Medica, and Medicare. Homeland Health Specialists will be billing your insurance and your plan will pay according to your coverage. Cash or check will be accepted for individuals who do not have health insurance. The cost of the flu shot is $23.

GTS Strategic Planning Meetings Scheduled... The Gustavus Technology Services Planning Core Committee has received a charge from the President’s Cabinet to develop a strategic plan for technology and technology services at Gustavus. The process will be forward-thinking, bold, and inclusive of all interested members of the Gustavus community. To that end, several open meetings of administrators/staff, faculty, and students will be conducted. These meetings will be an opportunity for any Gustavus community member to share their ideas and vision for technology and technology services looking toward 2020. The meetings will be an opportunity for the Core Committee members to listen and gather insight from all Gustavus community members in order to craft a strategic plan that is inclusive, bold, and visionary. To facilitate the gathering of information for the Core Committee, a variety of meetings is planned so that members of the Gustavus community may self-select into a meeting that is more focused on their particular area of service to Gustavus (administrators/staff, students, and faculty): 

• Wednesday, Nov. 12, 9-10 a.m. - Administrators/Staff, Heritage Room, Jackson Center
• Wednesday, Nov. 12, 1:30-2:30 p.m. - Faculty, Heritage Room, Jackson Center
• Friday, Nov. 14, 8-9 a.m. - Faculty, Heritage Room, Jackson Center
• Friday, Nov. 14, 9-10 a.m. - Web Advisory Board, St. Peter Room, Jackson Center
• Friday, Nov. 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m. - Open Meeting (Faculty/Admin/Staff/Students), Heritage Room, Jackson Center  
• Monday, Nov. 17, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Curriculum Committee
• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m.-noon - Faculty, Presidents Dining Room, Jackson Center
• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. - GTS, Presidents Dining Room, Jackson Center
• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - High-End Technology Users, Presidents Dining Room, Jackson Center

For more information about the Technology Services Strategies Planning Core Committee or the meetings listed above contact Michele Koomen (mkoomen@gustavus.edu) or Bruce Aarsvold (aarsvold@gustavus.edu).

Looking Ahead... Nobel Conference 2010 will focus on the topic of food. Chair Lisa Heldke (philosophy) and Nobel Conference Director Chuck Niederriter (physics) invite you to join the committee planning this conference at its next meeting, Monday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. in the Chaplains' Resource Room (Old Main).

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, Nov. 7 - International Day
• Sunday, Nov. 9 - Chaplain Brian Johnson
• Monday, Nov. 10 - Darrell Jodock (religion)
• Tuesday, Nov. 11 - Doug Huff (philosophy)
• Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Morning Praise
• Thursday, Nov. 13 - Chaplain Brian Johnson
• Friday, Nov. 14 - Taizé
  

Darfur Genocide Is Topic of Three Events... The Community Service Center is sponsoring or co-sponsoring three events in November. Tonight (Nov. 6) at 7 p.m. at the St. Peter Middle/High School, the documentary film The Devil Came on Horseback will be screened. The film depicts the Darfur genocide through the eyes of military observer and former U.S. Marine Capt. Brian Steidle. It is free and open to the public. A post-film discussion includes representatives of the Genocide Intervention Network of the University of Minnesota's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
     On Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Wallenberg Auditorium of Nobel Hall, Mark Hanis, founder of the Genocide Intervention Network, will lecture on the continuing Darfur genocide (see entry on Wallenberg Lecture below).
     On Nov. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jackson Center's Heritage Room, a colloquium on "Genocide and Gender-Based Violence: Darfur, the Holocaust, and American Indians" has been scheduled. Featured speakers include Mark Hanis, Elizabeth Baer (English), Suzanne Koepplinger, Margo DeWilde, and Christine Stark. To register, go to http://chgs.umn.edu/news/darfur.html. The event is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, contact Dave Newell (community service) at 507-933-6069 or dnewell@gustavus.edu.

Faculty Shop Talk... Tom Huber (physics) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk of the 2008-09 academic year. His talk, titled "Vibration of Small Objects Using Ultrasound Radiation Force," will be presented on Friday, Nov. 7, 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 gustavus.edu/events/shoptalks/.

Fireside Chat with Gwen Freed... The Fireside Chat with Vice President for Marketing and Communication Gwen Freed scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13, at 11:30 a.m. in the Melva Lind Interpretive Center has been canceled. It may be rescheduled at a later date.

Writer/Editor to Visit... Ellen Booraem, author of the new adolescent fantasy novel The Unnameables, will read from this work, as well as a forthcoming work, on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Courtyard Café at 4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Copies of her book are available for purchase in the Book Mark, and may be borrowed from several St. Peter area shops, including The Tangled Skein, the St. Peter Food Coop, and The River Rock.

Wallenberg Lecture Addresses Genocide... The Peace Studies program presents the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in Wallenberg Auditorium, Nobel Hall. The speaker is Mark Hanis, founder and executive director of the Genocide Intervention Network. His talk is titled "Never Again Is Again in Darfur: Taking a Stand against Genocide."
     Hanis founded the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-NET) while a student at Swarthmore College, where he graduated with a degree in political science. The goal of GI-NET is to empower citizens to prevent and stop genocide. Mark’s story and the story of GI-NET powerfully illustrate the ability of ordinary committed individuals to build coalitions and to make a difference. Hanis’s visit is sponsored by the Peace Studies program and is part of the “Taking a Stand against Genocide” program, a collaboration between Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter High School, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, American Refugee Committee, and the Genocide Intervention Network.

Lecture on Monarch Conservation... Karen Oberhauser, Ph.D, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, will give a talk to the greater Gustavus community at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Melva Lind Interpretive Center. Her talk, titled "The Monarch Butterfly as a Flagship Conservation Species: Forests, Prairies, and People," will be of interest to students, faculty, and staff who are interested in insect ecology and in efforts of conservation. Refreshments will be served.
     Oberhauser’s research interests include invertebrate conservation and ecology, with particular interest in monarch butterflies; "Citizen Science" and ecological monitoring; and promoting a citizenry with a high degree of scientific and environmental literacy. Currently, she is chair of the North American Monarch Conservation Plan (NAMCP), which is intended to provide a long-term cooperative agenda for conservation of the monarch butterfly with the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For more information about Oberhauser's talk, please contact Michele Koomen (education) at mkoomen@gustavus.edu or x6057.

International Festival... On Friday, Nov. 14, the International Cultures Club sponsors its International Festival in Alumni Hall. The festival is an annual event featuring songs, skits, and other performances; display tables and world cuisines; and a fashion show. All are welcome. "Country" tables with ethnic food samples open at 6 p.m. Performances begin at 7 p.m.

Fall Warmer... Have lunch with the Friends of the Linnaeus Arboretum at their annual Fall Warmer in the Interpretive Center on Sunday, Nov. 16. Jim Gilbert '62, WCCO Radio naturalist, will be talking about his new book, Jim Gilbert's Minnesota Nature Notes. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. ($10 members, $12 nonmembers). A short annual meeting will precede the talk. Tickets must be purchased in advance, by Nov. 12. Contact Shirley (arboretum@gustavus.edu, 507-933-6181) for more information.

Julgran Celebration... Celebrate the Linnaeus Arboretum's first of what they hope will be an annual Julgran celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Julgran (Swedish for Christmas tree) will consist of a talk by former Gustavus comptroller Anders Björling '58 focusing on his photography in the Arboretum's 2009 calendar. Other highlights of the celebration will include a cookie judging contest (and free cookies!), a slide show of the 2008 year in the Linnaeus Arboretum, and book signings by several published authors.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Benefit for Medical Expenses... On Saturday, Nov. 22, 4-9 p.m., the Red Men Club of St. Peter will host a benefit for Amy Skoog Buskey, who is currently undergoing both radiation treatments and chemotherapy for stage 4 malignant melanoma. The Red Men Club will donate a portion of bingo sales (16 games are scheduled between 4 and 7 p.m., and due to gambling laws, only those 18 and older may attend during the bingo). Thrivent Financial will provide supplemental funds raised from donations, food sales, and a silent auction (which ends at 8 p.m.). Hot pork sandwiches will be available for $5. If you wish to donate an auction item, contact Scott Moe '95 (athletics) at 933-7610 or smoe@gustavus.edu. If you want to donate a food item, contact Nancy Thorkelson '87 at 934-9316 or nancyth@bolton-menk.com. Cash donations may be mailed to David Skoog (35689 398th Lane, St. Peter; checks should be made payable to "Amy Buskey Benefit"). If you have other questions, contact Al Molde '66 (athletics) at 933-7622 or amolde@gustavus.edu.

Extraordinary People

Henry MacCarthy (theatre & dance) presented a paper titled "(Re)Imagining La Habana: Cuban Zarzuela and the (re)Construction of Diaspora" at the ninth International Congress of the Gesellschaft für Theaterwissenschaft in Amsterdam, on October 26.

Mark Bjelland (geography) contributed two entries to the Encyclopedia of Geography, published by Sage Publications. The first entry was on "Landfills" and the second covered "Love Canal." His entry on Love Canal featured a photograph taken by research professor Larry Potts (chemistry, emeritus).

On Nov. 3, Darrell Jodock (religion) led a workshop at the Fall Theological Conference of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod on the importance of Jewish-Christian relations.

Student News

Students Bradley Abell, Ryan Espy, Daniel Mellema, and Chenyu Yang attend the 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science, with Steven Mellema (physics). The conference was sponsored by the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science and was held at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., on Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The students gave presentations on the research they have been conducting with faculty members in chemistry and physics: Bradley Abell and Daniel Mellema, "Non-Contact Modal Excitation of Microcantilevers Using Ultrasonic Radiation Forces" (adviser: Tom Huber); Ryan Espy, "Photolytic Degradation of Imazethapyr in the Environment" (Amanda Nienow); Chenyu Yang, "Construction of a Low-Coherence Optical Reflectometer" (Steve Mellema). Gustavus participation in this symposium is one benefit of membership in the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science, which is supported by the recently announced Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grant.

New Faces

The following people have recently joined the Gustavus community:

    New Administrators

• Andrew Rishavy, assistant men's and women's nordic skiing coach (athletics)

    New Support Staff

• Elizabeth (Lisa) Octigan, administrative assistant (safety & security)

Congregational Outreach

Partners in Education... Presenters scheduled for this week include Richard Leitch (political science, environmental studies), who will be giving his talk, "Politics of Homelessness," this Sunday, Nov. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in New Hope, Minn. Mary Gaebler (religion) will give her talk, "Morality and the Election," at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 9, at Crown of Glory Lutheran Church in Chaska, Minn. Leila Brammer (communication studies) will be giving her talk, "A Look at Facebook and Myspace," at 7 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville, Minn. Partners in Education is a program coordinated by the Office of Church Relations for which participating faculty and staff members prepare topical presentations for adult forums, workshops, and seminars in congregations of the ELCA.

Preaching in Congregations... The Rev. Grady St. Dennis (church relations) will be preaching at the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services for the Winds of the Prairie Lutheran Parish at Bethany Lutheran Church of Arco in Ivanhoe, Minn. This program is coordinated by the Office of Church Relations.

Retreats... The Office of Church Relations will host a confirmation retreat for Trinity Lutheran Church from Cyrus, Minn., this Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8. Church Relations will also host a retreat for Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration from Bloomington, Minn., from Friday, Nov. 7, until Sunday, Nov. 9. The Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Retreat Center, coordinated by the Office of Church Relations, will host a women's retreat for Hope Lutheran Church from Jordan, Minn., Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 9.

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

Funding Opps

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations' weekly program or funding opportunity highlight:

• Smithsonian Research Training Program for Undergraduate Students... The Research Training Program at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is a 10-week, museum-based, in-residence program for undergraduate students to explore their interest in natural history research in the biological, geological or anthropological sciences. Approximately 20 students are selected each year to partner with a Smithsonian scientist to investigate a natural history research topic as well as participate in a series of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and field trips. Students, in collaboration with their Smithsonian research adviser, develop and test a scientific hypothesis and communicate the results through written manuscripts and oral and poster presentations. All research is conducted in-residence at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  Participants are provided a stipend of $3,000 plus housing and travel. The deadline for applications is February 1. Bob Weisenfeld is available to assist students in proposal preparation. Detailed information and application materials are available electronically at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/. 

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:

• The Metro Lutheran printed a story and photo about the inauguration of President Ohle in its November 2008 edition.
• The Metro Lutheran printed a story about the Bernhardson gift for the Nobel Conference in its November 2008 edition.
• The Star Tribune printed a news brief about Al Molde (athletics) being inducted into the Western Michigan Hall of Fame.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a feature story on the front page of its Thursday, Oct. 30, Sports section about men’s hockey player David Martinson. Martinson and head coach Brett Petersen were quoted in the story.
• The St. Peter Herald printed a story about football player Ray Wilson being named MIAC Player of the Week in its Thursday, Oct. 30, edition.
• Chris Gilbert (political science) was interviewed by KEYC-TV for a story about media coverage of Barack Obama and John McCain that aired on Friday, Oct. 31.
• The Star Tribune highlighted the Gustavus vs. Bethel football game and also named Ray Wilson a "Player in the Spotlight" in its Friday, Oct. 31, Sports section.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a front page story and two photos on Saturday, Nov. 1, about politics on campus. Students Carla Shutrop and Kaci Wothe were featured and quoted in the story.
• KEYC-TV ran a story about Delta Phi Omega’s breast cancer benefit lunch on Sunday, Nov. 2. Student Emily Degnan was interviewed for the story.
• Parade Magazine printed a feature story about actor and Gustavus alum ('87) Peter Krause in its Sunday, Nov. 2, edition. Gustavus was mentioned in the story.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a letter to editor under the headline "Biased colleges should show evidence." The letter mentioned the Nobel Conference and insinuated that Gustavus indoctrinates students to believe in the theory of evolution.
• The Mankato Free Press printed a front-page story and three color photos about the Gustavus Physics Department. Steve Mellema (physics) and students Rachel Anderson, Christina Lewis, and Kyle Friend were quoted in the story. The story also appeared on the St. Paul Pioneer Press's website.

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).

Plugs

Townhome for Rent: In historic Cathedral Hill district of St. Paul. Available Jan. 6-Aug. 4, 2009. Two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, living/dining room, large loft, single inside garage, laundry, and sun deck. Rented furnished, with personal effects stowed. Ideal space for two people. Below market rates for caring tenants. Contact Greg Mason (English, emeritus) at ghmason@gustavus.edu or 651-227 3832.

House for Sale: Beautiful three-bedroom house in Cape Cod style. Old woodwork, built-in china cabinet in dining room, hardwood floor on upper level and gas fireplace in living room. Kitchen with breakfast nook and master bedroom with sitting area/nursery. Big windows with great natural lighting. All on gorgeous landscaped yard with two beautiful, mature maples. Patio directly in southeast and whole yard surrounded by picket fence. Address: 218 W. Locust St., St. Peter. Contact Anna at anna.m.k.sorenson@gmail.com.

"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.

 



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 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 (waldo@gustavus.edu or x6413).

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