Inside Gustavus October 15, 2009 | Volume 42, Number 7

Faculty/Staff Activities

Naomi Quiram (postal services) presented two sessions at the Midwest Mailing Forum held Sept. 16-17. Topics were "Profitability in a College Mail Operation" and "The Mail Room—A Source of Continuity."

Barbara Fister (library) wrote the cover story for the Oct. 1 issue of Library Journal, "The Dewey Dilemma," on a trend in public libraries to drop or modify the Dewey Decimal System.

Florence Amamoto (English) presented a paper titled "Seeing Horizontally: The Prairie Eyes of Linda Hasselstrom and Bill Holm" at the annual Western Literature Association Conference at Spearfish, SD, Sept. 30-Oct. 3. She was also elected to WLA's Executive Council.

Bob Douglas (geography) gave a power-point presentation on "World Regional Geography and ESL Learners" at the National Council of Geographic Education on Sept. 25 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mimi Gerstbauer (political science and peace studies) and Geoffrey Alexander (senior economics major) presented a paper titled "The United States and War in Vietnam: Lessons for Forgiveness in International Relations" at the annual meeting of the Peace and Justice Studies Association held at Marquette University in Milwaukee Oct. 8-10. Their research was made possible by a Presidential Faculty/Student Collaboration Grant in Summer 2009.

María Isabel Kalbermatten (MLLC) and Shirley Nieto, from the University of St. Thomas, presented a paper titled "Podcasts for Second Language Learning" at the 11th biennial Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese held in Regis College and Wellesley College, Weston, MA, Oct 9-12.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, Steve Mellema (physics) gave an invited lecture on "Islam and Human Rights" at the University of Minnesota's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in the Twin Cities.

In the Media

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

  • MinnPost.com posted a preview story of the Nobel Conference on Monday, Oct. 5.
  • Chuck Niederriter (physics) appeared on WCCO Radio’s noon news hour with hosts Adam Carter and Tele Mamayek to talk about the Nobel Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story on Tuesday, Oct. 6, about Phil Bryant (English) and Carolyn Wilkins performing at Minnesota State University. The story also featured Bryant’s new book, Stompin’ at the Grand Terrace.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story about Shawn Otto replacing Derek Walcott as a speaker at the Nobel Conference in its Tuesday, Oct. 6, edition.
  • KTOE Radio in Mankato ran a story about day one at the Nobel Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a news brief about Kurt Elling’s concert at Gustavus in its Tuesday, Oct. 6, Currents section.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a sidebar item about Gustavus's Homecoming Week events in its Tuesday, Oct. 6, Currents section.
  • KEYC-TV ran a story about the Nobel Conference on its Tuesday, Oct. 6, newscast. Rajendra Pachauri and Asit Biswas were interviewed for the story.
  • The blog EcoWorldly.com posted a story about Rajendra Pachauri’s opening lecture at the Nobel Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
  • Mark Bjelland (geography) appeared on Don Shelby’s WCCO Radio afternoon drive show to talk about the Nobel Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story and several photos in its Wednesday, Oct. 7, edition about Rajendra Pachauri’s lecture on day one of the Nobel Conference. Pachauri was quoted in the story.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story in its Wednesday, Oct. 7, edition about Nancy Rabalais' lecture on day one of the Nobel Conference . Rabalais is quoted in the story.
  • MinnPost.com posted a story on Wednesday, Oct. 7, about day one of the Nobel Conference. Rajendra Pachauri, Nancy Rabalais, and David Sedlak were all quoted in the story.
  • The Times of India printed a story on Wednesday, Oct. 7,about Rajendra Pachauri’s lecture at the Nobel Conference.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story about day two of the Nobel Conference in its Thursday, Oct. 8 edition. Peter Gleick was quoted in the story.
  • MinnPost.com posted a story on Thursday, Oct. 8, about day two of the Nobel Conference. Peter Gleick, Larry Rasmussen, and Asit Biswas were all quoted in the story.
  • The St. Peter Herald printed a front-page color photograph of President Ohle and Nancy Rabalais on stage at the Nobel Conference in its Thursday, Oct. 8, edition.
  • The St. Peter Herald printed a guest column by Gustavus student Adam Toppin in its Thursday, Oct. 8, edition regarding Homecoming Week festivities.
  • The St. Peter Herald printed a news brief about Gustavus alum Ryan Hoag making the roster of a professional football team in the new United Football League.
  • The St. Peter Herald printed a news brief in its Thursday, Oct. 8, edition about Gustavus hosting Swedish filmmaker Stefan Quinth.
  • Richard Leitch (political science) appeared on WCCO Radio’s midday show on Friday, Oct. 9, with host John Hines to talk about President Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • United Press International (UPI.com) printed a story on Friday, Oct. 9, about Rajendra Pachauri’s lecture at the Nobel Conference.
  • President Ohle appeared on KNUJ Radio on Saturday, Oct. 10, during halftime of the Homecoming football game with play-by-play announcer Tom Wheeler.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story and large color photo of the Gustavus football game in its Sunday, Oct. 11, Sports section. Head coach Peter Haugen and student-athletes Jordan Becker and Elliott Herdina were all quoted in the 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).

Gifts & Grants

NSF Funds New Mass Spectrometer... The Chemistry and Geology departments have jointly obtained an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) through a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant. Jeff Jeremiason (chemistry & environmental studies) was the principal investigator for the grant, and Dwight Stoll (chemistry), Julie Bartley (geology), and Laura Triplett (geology) were the co-PIs. The total amount of the grant was about $250 K, with about $170 K for instrument purchase and the rest for instrument operation and maintenance and to hire two students each summer to use the instrument. The NSF grant program is for research instrumentation and thus the major focus of the grant is on creating new research opportunities for students, but it will also be used in multiple classes in geology and chemistry. (Note: No MIAC school or private liberal arts school in the area has an instrument like this one.) The new instrument will allow users to analyze about 75 elements on the periodic table (mostly metals) in water, sediment, soil, rocks, etc. Toxic metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium are of interest, as are major elements such as calcium, potassium, and aluminum. Uranium and rare earth elements can also be measured.

Funding Opportunities

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

  • American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Short- and Long-Term Visiting Fellowships... The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) offers a wide range of visiting short-term research fellowships tenable for one to three months of research in the AAS library. It provides a stipend of $1,700 per month or $1,200 per month plus housing. Please see www.americanantiquarian.org/acafellowship.htm. AAS National Endowment for the Humanities long-term awards support 4 to 12 months of residence. The maximum available stipend is $40,000. Details, a link to applications, and a list of past recipients can be found at www.americanantiquarian.org/nehfellowship.htm. The deadline for short- and long-term fellowship awards is January 15, 2010.

For more information on grants or proposal preparation, contact Bob Weisenfeld in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (x7049 or bweis@gustavus.edu).

 

President's Cabinet Summary

A number of topics were discussed at the Oct. 14 President’s Cabinet meeting:

  • A proposed e-mail to the campus community regarding the two projects discussed at the recent Board meeting—namely, the new academic building, including the west mall and the renovation of the Anderson Social Science building, and the wind turbine—was reviewed. The administration has now been asked by the Board to move forward with plans for financing and fundraising for the building and to seek a variance from Nicollet County to erect a wind turbine.
  • An update of the H1N1 pandemic was given. Additional staff hours in the satellite clinic are needed to accommodate all the cases. The number of new cases on a daily basis has remained steady with an average of 12 students reporting ILI and 15 students seen daily in the satellite clinic.
  • This past week’s activities were reviewed, including the Nobel Conference, Board meeting, Homecoming/Family Weekend, and the Commission Gustavus 150 celebration. Great appreciation to all staff and students who made these activities so successful was expressed.
  • Implementation plans for the recommendations outlined in the Strategic Framework approved by the Board of Trustees will be coordinated by the vice presidents. Each vice president will work with faculty, staff, and students who will help develop the plans.  

News & Announcements

Faculty Luncheon with the President... President Ohle is pleased to invite faculty members to join him for a luncheon forum this fall. This event will provide an opportunity for interaction and a time for sharing ideas. The luncheon will be held on Friday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. in the Presidents Dining Room. RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 11 to the President's Office by calling Pat Leagjeld at x7538 or e-mailing her at pleagjel@gustavus.edu.

Prayers Offered... On Tuesday, Oct. 20, prayers for healing will be offered during daily chapel at 10 a.m. You are invited to send the names of people you would like mentioned in the prayers to Chaplain Rachel Larson at rlarson@gustavus.edu or 933-7450. Prayer requests can be for healing of body, mind, spirit, relationships, grief, and all parts of creation. Only first names will be used. Send submissions by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19. During the liturgy, prayer ministers stationed at various places in the chapel will offer prayer and anointing with oil to people individually.

Vote for Your Favorite International Photos... Voting on entries in the 20th annual International Photo Contest will be held on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Linner Lounge, where the entries are displayed. All faculty and students are able to vote, so come in and see these incredible photos from around the world.

International Guests... Meet, greet, and welcome international guests from Petatlán, Mexico, who will be in St. Peter exploring a sister city relationship. Hear their presentation of their community. Hear their impressions of St. Peter. Hear impressions of Petatlán from St. Peter community members who visited there last week. Join us on Thursday Oct. 22, in the Interpretive Center from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This event is for Gustavus students, faculty, and staff. Come and enjoy appetizers and beverages and entertainment by the Flood Plains Four or More! Remember to continue to follow the Sister City Blog at gustavus.edu/go/sistercity.

Tuition Benefits Explained... Kirk Carlson (financial aid) and Richard Aune (admission) will present information about admission, tuition benefit, and tuition exchange options Friday, Oct. 23, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Board Room. All Employees with current high school juniors or seniors are encouraged to attend. Contact Kirk Carlson if you have questions.

Retirement Counseling... A TIAA-CREF representative will be on campus on Nov. 3, 4, and 5 for individual counseling sessions. There are a limited number of openings. To schedule an appointment, go to the TIAA-CREF website at www.tiaa-cref.org/moc or call 1-800-732-8353.

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, Oct. 16 - Richard Leitch (political science)
  • Sunday, Oct. 18 - Mary Gaebler (religion)
  • Monday, Oct. 19 - Sarah Johnson (religion)
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20 - Healing Service
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21 - Morning Praise
  • Thursday, Oct. 22 - Taizé
  • Friday, Oct. 23 - Interreligious Observance: Florence Amamoto (English)

Fireside Chat Focuses on Memoirs... Enjoy lunch with Interim Director of Linnaeus Arboretum Herb Chilstrom as he presents "the story of your life" at the Linnaeus Arboretum's October Fireside Chat Friday, Oct. 16, at 11:30 a.m. in the Interpretive Center. Chilstrom, former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, will discuss something that everyone should do some day: write his or her memoir. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Interpretive Center, or bring your own.

Faculty Shop Talk... Yurie Hong (classics) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk of the 2009-10 academic year. Her talk, titled "Classical Conceptions: Ancient and Modern Discourses on Pregnancy and Childbirth," will be presented on Friday, Oct. 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the Melva 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/.

Diwali Celebration... A Diwali celebration is planned for this Saturday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the International Center lounge/kitchen. There will be food (samplings of the four main days of Diwali: oatmeal, rice pudding, stir fry, and fudge), activities (sidewalk chalk and coloring paper lanterns), and a movie. Everyone is welcome.

Oshima-Ryan to Perform 'Goldberg Variations'... On Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3:30 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. pianist Yumiko Oshima-Ryan (music) will perform Johann Sebastian Bach's An Aria with Thirty Variations, popularly known as "The Goldberg Variations." First published in 1741, the "Goldberg Variations" were originally composed for harpsichord with two manuals. This presents a number of difficulties for the pianist as she performs the work on the one manual of the modern piano. According to Oshima-Ryan, "This composition has an amazing power of healing the human soul that comes through the compassionate warmth, faith, and most of all, strong hope and love expressed in Bach's music." More than 250 years later, we can "still feel the joy of Bach's great art and his energy in our modern world of sleeplessness and suffering." Sunday's performance is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception for the pianist in the recital hall lobby.

Bassist in Residence Next Week... Barry Green, author of The Inner Game of Music (1986) and The Mastery of Music (2003) and principal bassist of the Cincinnati Symphony for the past 28 years, will lead a presentation and master class on Monday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. The former executive director of the International Society of Bassists, Green is currently directing a young bassist program for the San Francisco Symphony Education Department.

Archives Tours Offered during American Archives Month... October is designated by the Society of American Archivists as "American Archives Month." The SAA calls this month a time to "celebrate the American record" and raise public awareness about the importance of archives to the preservation of American history and culture. For the Bernadotte Library's part in the celebration, the College Archives is displaying an "Inside Look" at our collection, including a display case of various documents and artifacts relating to the history of the College. This display is located just outside of the archives' office on the library's third floor. The archivists will also be offering behind-the-scenes tours of the archives storage and work areas. These two sessions will occur on Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m. and again on Oct. 26 at 2:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Jenson in the College and Lutheran Church Archives.

Are You Inspired to Save a Life?... On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Dining Service is holding their fourth annual Passionately Pink for the Cure event to raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and help end breast cancer forever. The Delta Phi Omega Sorority will be selling T-shirts, buttons, beads, and cookies outside the Evelyn Young Dining Room from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a glass of pink lemonade (compliments of the Dining Service) while you shop for your "pink." Donation jars will be at each cash register. Then at 7 p.m. Lund Arena goes pink as the Gustie women's volleyball team takes on Bethany Lutheran College in their annual Dig Pink game. Go Pink Gusties! The folks in the Dining Service invite everyone to be Passionately Pink for the Cure! on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Gustavus After Hours... On Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. in the lobby area of Confer/Vickner, 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. The next Gustavus After Hours gathering is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. in the atrium area of the Nobel Hall of Science.

Classics Lecture... Barbara Weiden Boyd, Ph.D., Henry Winkley Professor of Latin and Greek at Bowdoin College, will lecture on "Example and Imitation: Shared Identity and Living Tradition in Augustan Rome" on Thursday, Oct. 22, 7-8 p.m. in Confer 127. Her visit is sponsored by the Department of Classics. Refreshments will be served after the lecture.

Mark Your Calendars Now... The Fall 2009 Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Lecture will be held on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. in Wallenberg Auditorium, Nobel Hall of Science. Steven H. Miles, M.D., of the University of Minnesota Medical School, will speak on "Oath Betrayed: America's Torture Doctors." Dr. Miles became an international figure when he spoke up about the complicity of medical professionals in the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. What surprised him most was that the doctors and nurses did not speak up about the abuse, but rather were co-opted into the process and became active participants. Miles will speak about his extensive investigation into America's use of torture and the violations of the medical profession's oath to do no harm. Miles is a professor of medicine and bioethics and also an affiliate faculty for the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the university. He has published four books and numerous articles on medical ethics, human rights, tropical medicine, and end of life and geriatric health care. His lecture is sponsored by Peace Studies and is free and open to the public.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Support Your Local Playwright... The Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota—use the back entrance) is offering a staged reading of The National Endowment, a new play by Doug Huff (philosophy), on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. each night. The National Endowment is a two-act comedy/farce set at a small liberal arts college, St. Ansgar, in the Midwest. The entire play is a memory of the current college president, who begins and ends the play in a prologue and an epilogue. The college is on the verge of bankruptcy and the then president has misappropriated a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to stay open. The president, a rather outrageous man, has coerced two junior faculty members to help him cover up the misappropriation of funds from an NEH committee, who make a site visit to evaluate the program they have funded, but which has not be implemented at the college. The president’s scam must also be kept secret from the faculty at large. Complications are piled upon complications until chaos reigns. The cast includes many people from the Gustavus and St. Peter community, but Doug assures us, on advice from his attorney, that any resemblance to actual events or people, living or dead, is purely coincidental. NOTE: The play contains adult situations. Parking is available in the rear and in nearby city lots. Tickets are $5 for AC members and $7 for adults. Student tickets are $3, but students will be admitted free on Friday night. Beverages will be available for purchase through Patrick’s.

Print Exhibition Opens Downtown... Opening Friday, Oct. 16, at the Arts Center of Saint Peter (315 S. Minnesota) is Cecilia Lieder: Fine Printer. The exhibition features recent work from Lieder’s gallery and studio, Northern Prints Gallery, located in Duluth, Minn. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Arts Center. Lieder's prints have been on display in galleries nationwide. She has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the prestigious McKnight/ARAC Fellowship (1999). Her exhibition will be on display through Nov. 29. For more information about her work, visit www.northernprintsgallery.com.

Creation Care Workshop... As a service to individuals and churches in the St. Peter area, First Lutheran Church (1114 W. Traverse Rd.) is offering a Creation Care Workshop Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the church. Join friends and neighbors for a down-to-earth presentation designed to equip you with tools and resources aimed at care of our environment. Presenters will be Pat Benson, Creation
Care coordinator with Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota, and J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director with Fresh Energy. The workshop is free and open to the public; coffee and refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is encouraged: RSVP to flcstp@flcstp.org or phone 507-934-3060, by Monday, Oct. 26.

Obituaries

  • Bill Hervey, husband of Norma Hervey (library, 1981-1988), died on Oct. 8 in Decorah, Iowa. A memorial service is being planned for Oct. 24.
  • Gordon Asleson (physical plant, 1962-1985) died Friday, Oct. 2, at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter. He was 88. Funeral services were held on Oct. 7 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guest book go to www.mvfh.org.

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.

Telecommunications Updates

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

  • Rita Ray, economics and management, phone: x6273, e-mail: rray (addition)

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

Postal Pointers

Holiday Stamps Available... The winter holiday stamps are available now. You can purchase them at the College Post Office front window or order them online through the College Post Office website. The Madonna and Sleeping Child stamp will be available Oct. 20, 2009. The stamps can be viewed at USPS.com. Contact Naomi at x7599 if you have any questions.

Plugs

Roommate Wanted... Katie Holmberg (Gustavus Annual Fund) writes, "I am a young Gustavus employee looking for someone interested in sharing a two-bedroom apartment at Central Square Apartments. Rent would be around $360, plus utilities. Preferably another Gustavus employee, non-smoker. Best way to contact me is by e-mail (kholmbe2@gustavus.edu) or phone (x6519)."

Looking for Rental... The History Department's incoming leave replacement colleague, Tyler Johnson (Purdue University), is looking for a short-term rental apartment or house for the period Jan. 1-June 1, 2010. Please contact Tom Emmert (history) at tomo@gustavus.edu or phone 944-7432 if you have something that might be available for Tyler.

"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.

 

 

Upcoming events
Date Event
Dec 23 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 24 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 25 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 26 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 27 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 28 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 29 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Dec 30 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus
Grades duehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/grades-dueCampus
Dec 31 Winter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/winter-breakCampus

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

 

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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