Inside Gustavus September 24, 2009 | Volume 42, Number 4

News & Announcements

Historical Nobel Conference Display in Library... Each fall, the Nobel Conference at Gustavus has hosted brilliant scientists and Nobel Prize winners. A substantial collection documenting the event has been collected and retained within the College Archives. Materials consist primarily of planning documents and correspondence, but there are T-shirts, recordings, programs, and some photographs. A display was developed to highlight some of these historical materials. Displayed items include a brief history of the conference, a listing of topics by decade, and a selection of programs. The project was made possible by the Gustavus Adolphus College Archives, and these unique materials are available for consultation and study within the archives. This display is located in the Library near the reference desk.

Tenure Support Letters Due... Monday, Sept. 28, at 4 p.m. is the deadline for submitting letters on behalf of four members of the faculty currently being considered for appointments with continuous tenure: Brenda Kelly (biology & chemistry), Michele Koomen (education), Karl Larson (HES), and San Skulrattanakulchai (MCS). Letters should be sent to Provost David Fienen and should address the criteria for tenure as stated in the Faculty Manual. All members of the Gustavus community are invited to submit letters. Candidates will have access to their letters.

Last Chance to Change Gribly Listing... College employees who wish to have their photo and/or home telephone number EXCLUDED from the 2009-10 Gribly (online or printed version, or both), but who have not yet indicated so, should complete the bright orange form titled "Directory Information," which is available from the Human Resources Office, as soon as possible. The Human Resources Office is located in the basement (west side) of Uhler Hall (x7304). (If you filed this form in a previous year, your directions on that form remain in effect unless and until you change them.)

Visit Linnaeus Arboretum's Newest Garden... The Bird and Butterfly Garden, located on the south side of the Interpretive Center, was created this past July and is currently looking spectacular. Asters, coneflowers, milkweed, and several other species have been planted to attract butterflies throughout the summer and during fall migration. No less than seven feeders are attracting birds right now, and feeder activity will increase as the weather gets colder. Take a look!

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, Sept. 25 - Will Freiert (classics)
• Sunday, Sept. 27 - Mary Gaebler (religion)
• Monday, Sept. 28 - Kathi Tunheim (economics & management)
• Tuesday, Sept. 29 - Interfaith Observance: Bob Weisenfeld (corporate & foundation relations)
• Wednesday, Sept. 30 - Morning Praise
• Thursday, Oct. 1 - TBA
• Friday, Oct. 2 - St. Francis Day: Blessing of the Animals

'Gustavus Business After Hours'... At 5 p.m. this afternoon (Thursday, Sept. 24) in Anderson Theatre in the Schaefer Fine Arts Center, employees are invited to visit with President Ohle over refreshments at the close of the workday. This will be a casual social gathering. All are encouraged to come and enjoy one another’s company.  Future Gustavus Business After Hours gatherings are scheduled for Oct. 21 in the lobby area of Confer/Vickner and Nov. 30 in the lobby area of the Nobel Hall of Science.

Poli Sci Department Announces First 'Friday Forum'... The Political Science Department announces its first Friday Forum of the 2009-10 school year. Kathryn Pearson, assistant professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, will present her original research on representation in Congress, "Speaking for the Underrepresented: The Gender Dynamics of Floor Speeches in the House of Representatives." The event is Friday, Sept. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in Old Main 303. Pizza and beverages will be served. Pearson, who received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2005, specializes in American politics. She is currently researching women’s electoral success in congressional primaries, general elections, and Minnesota legislative elections. She is also working on a book manuscript, Party Discipline in the Contemporary Congress, based on her dissertation, which won the APSA Legislative Studies Section’s Carl Albert Award for the best doctoral dissertation in the area of legislative studies. This event is co-sponsored by the Political Science Department and the GWS program.

Volunteer Maintenance Time in the Linnaeus Arboretum... If you've ever walked through the Linnaeus Arboretum, you know that it is a beautiful place for recreation, reflection, and education, and we are privileged to have such an arboretum as part of the College. Come help keep the arboretum looking its best by volunteering your time on Friday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2-5 p.m. All you need to do is show up at the shelter outside the Interpretive Center and we'll go from there. The focus of this day will be the removal of non-native Siberian elms, but we will also need help in weeding, pruning, and trash removal. The Arboretum needs your help!

Nobel Conference Preview Slated... Join Nobel Conference director Chuck Niederriter (physics), Nobel Conference 45 chair Mark Bjelland (geography), and members of the planning committee as they present an overview of the topics to be discussed at this fall’s conference at a special preview on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Alumni Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m.. The award-winning, 30-minute documentary film Flow, an investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century—the world water crisis—will be shown. Come join the conversation! Meanwhile, main-floor reserved seating is already sold out for Nobel Conference 45, but faculty and staff still may claim one complimentary ticket each from the Office of Marketing and Communication; students may pick one up from the Information Desk in the Jackson Campus Center.

First Fireside Chat Scheduled... Enjoy a lunch with watercolor artist Gail Speckmann '73 for the Linnaeus Arboretum's first Fireside Chat of the fall on Friday, Oct. 2, at 11:30 a.m. Gail's "Watercolor Trees" have been on display inside the Interpretive Center since April of this year, and the exhibit continues to attract many visitors. Gail will talk about her time as a Gustavus student and how it directed her to the level of a professional artist. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Interpretive Center, or bring your own.

Faculty Shop Talk Probes 'Stygian Darkness'... Sarah Johnson (religion) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk of the 2009/10 academic year. Her talk, titled "Stygian Darkness No More: American Missionaries? Post-War Portrayals of Christians Abroad," will be presented on Friday, Oct. 2, at 4:30 p.m. in the Lind Interpretive Center. Feel free to arrive any time after 4:15 p.m. The abstract for this and future talks may be viewed at http://gustavus.edu/events/shoptalks/.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

The Alpacas Are Calling... The sixth annual Farm Tour Open House at Cozy Acres Alpacas will take place this weekend, September 26 and 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Kathy Erlandsen (Gustavus Fund) and her husband will be opening up their barn for people to come pet the alpacas. Visit their website for directions and more information at www.alpacanation.com/cozyacres.asp Also on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m., there will be a class on making Scandinavian hand-felted slippers using alpaca wool.

Welsh Hymn Festival on Sunday... The Welsh Association's 2009 Welsh Hymn Festival will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27, beginning at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mankato (Broad and Hickory). For those who have enjoyed the annual St. David's Day in Chapel events over the past years, this will be an opportunity to participate in "The Minnesota Welsh Event." At the Festival, the entire congregation will be seated by parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) to sing four-part harmony on traditional Welsh hymns led by a guest conductor. It is open to the public without admission charge. For further information, contact Ellis Jones (economics & management, emeritus) at 507-934-4184.

Retail Promotion Committee Sponsors 'Girls Night Out'... The Retail Promotion Committee of the St. Peter Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Girls Night Out" on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. Over 40 participating businesses will offer discounts, giveaways, storewide specials, prize drawings, and refreshments. Get your GNO brochure (available at businesses and the Chamber) punched at 10 different places of business to be eligible for a $200 grand prize and forty $25 gift certificates. So, don’t let the Hwy 169 construction get you down. Gather a group of friends and go "Shop St. Peter!" For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 934-3400. 

'Art Fair in Motion'... The fourth annual "River Crossings Art Fair in Motion" is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4, in the St. Peter/Mankato/North Mankato area. All are invited to tour artist studios; view demonstrations and exhibitions; purchase one-of-a-kind fine art; listen to poetry, music, and theatre; and enjoy a tasty treat at one of the restaurant/sponsors. Fourteen area artists will be opening their studios or homes, or hosting public showings their work at galleries between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and between noon and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Several area restaurants as well as galleries will be featuring art exhibitions and performances. Visit rivercrossingsart.org for a detailed schedule of activities and participants. This event is made possible by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature. Additional funding came from the St. Peter Tourism and Visitors Bureau, the City of Mankato Community Grant Program, and the City of North Mankato.

Obituaries

• Mary Gaebler's (religion) mother died on August 21. A memorial service was held in her honor on August 29 at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wis.
• Richard Heldke, father of Lisa Heldke (philosophy) died on Sept. 16 at the Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake, Wis. Funeral Services were held last Sunday (Sept. 20) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rice Lake.
  

To inform the campus community of the death of a current student, employee, or trustee; an emeritus professor or trustee; or an immediate family member of a current employee, contact the Office of the President (x7538 or pleagjel@gustavus.edu). Death announcements and funeral notices for students, current and emeritus faculty and employees, and trustees will be sent to the community via written notice from the president, posted on community-l, the official campus-wide e-mail list, and published in the Inside Gustavus or Summer Scoop. Notices for immediate family members of current employees will be published in the Inside Gustavus or the Summer Scoop unless they occur during a publication break, in which case they will be posted on employee-l.

Congregational Outreach

Partners in Education... Presenters for this week include the Rev. Darrell Jodock (religion), who will be giving his talk, "Evolution and Religion," at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minn., Sunday, Sept. 27 at 9:30am. Partners in Education is a program coordinated by the Office of Church Relations in which participating faculty and staff members prepare topical presentations for adult forums, workshops, and seminars in congregations of the ELCA.

Seminary Day... Gustavus Adolphus College and Augsburg College have joined together this year to welcome 21 of the top seminaries and divinity schools to Augsburg's campus for the annual Seminary and Divinity School Day to be held on Thursday, Sept. 24. Gustavus students considering the opportunity of furthering their education at a seminary or divinity school have the opportunity to travel to Augsburg to attend informational sessions about these schools..

Preaching in Congregations... The Rev. Grady St. Dennis (church relations) will be preaching at Swede Home Lutheran Church at 9 a.m. and at St. Lucas Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. These churches are part of the Healing Waters Parish based in Clarkfield, Minn. The Rev. Dr. Mary Gaebler (religion) will be preaching at the Saturday evening service at Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm, 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 26. This program is coordinated by the Office of Church Relations.

Retreats... The Office of Church Relations will host a confirmation retreat for Faith Lutheran Church from Waconia, Minn., Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26. Church Relations will also host retreats for Lord of Life Lutheran Church from Maple Grove, Minn., and St. John's Lutheran Church from Northfield, Minn., on Saturday, Sept. 26.

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

Telecommunications Updates

Following are changes and additions for the "Personnel Phone Directory 2009-10."

• Joshua Forsythe, communication studies, phone: x7353, e-mail: jforsyth (addition)
• Heidi Meyer, nursing, phone: x6094 (number correction)

For further information or corrections, contact Laura McCabe (x6261 or lmccabe@gustavus.edu).

Plugs

For Sale... Nice 2-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath townhome with beautifully landscaped yard. Part of the Apple Tree Village community, near River's Edge Hospital/Clinic just off of Dodd Rd. (MN-22) and Gault Street. Ceramic tile foyer, concrete patio, 6-panel doors, master bathroom, 30-yr. warrantied shingles, cement-board siding, Andersen windows, and double garage. All appliances included. Association dues cover exterior insurance on the building, all lawn mowing and snow shoveling, and trash pick-up. E-mail khartz@gustavus.edu or call 952-239-8402 for more information.

Part-Time Nanny Wanted... Betsy and Eric Elias (biology) are looking for a responsible, caring individual to come to their home in New Ulm and nanny for their three children (4, 3, and 1). The position is for approximately 15 hours per week, and the schedule is regular. "We may have some flexibility regarding days/hours, but ideal hours would be Monday and Wednesday all day. Start date is immediate and runs through the school year. Negotiable, competitive pay." For more information, call Eric or Betsy at 507-382-3482 (cell) or 507-359-3331 (home).

For Sale... Well-maintained, charming 1915 4-bedroom home with original oak woodwork, newer oversized 2-car garage with attached workshop and matching shed. Large yard, custom cedar fence with patio area. Remodeled kitchen with island and steel French door refrigerator and intimate breakfast porch. First floor features leaded glass windows in foyer, living room, and dining room with pocket doors with beveled glass. First-floor office or den a plus as well. Finished basement with laundry and complete bath. Second floor features four bedrooms off center hall with original maple built-in cabinetry and family room with enameled wood-burning stove. Walk-up attic with dormers. Walk to College, coffee, coop, pool, and more. Inquiries e-mail: jmsmith@gustavus.edu or call 507-469-9105. For pictures and more information see our page at: http://web.me.com/swjmsmith/House/details.html.

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

 



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Inside Gustavus 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: Inside Gustavus, 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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