Inside Gustavus November 12, 2009 | Volume 42, Number 11

President's Cabinet Summary

The President's Cabinet met on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and discussed the following items:

• The Gubernatorial Candidates' Forum on Nov. 9 drew 12 candidates and significant television, radio, print, and online media coverage. Gustavus may consider hosting another such event as the election draws closer.
• Continued discussion was held regarding developing the College’s health and wellness agenda, including possible State Health Improvement Program funding for a smoke-free campus initiative. Vice President Stocco will propose a process for engaging the campus community in the conversation.
• Vice President Young gave an update on discussions with the American Swedish Institute (ASI) regarding a potential partnership involving physical space in ASI’s planned new building. The partnership would provide opportunities for Gustavus to host alumni, recruiting, academic programming, and community outreach events.
• Vice President Stocco indicated that the number of reported cases of ILI continues to decline on campus.
• The search for the vice president for enrollment management is in the planning phase. A search committee will be established soon and search consultants will visit campus next month. A position announcement will be posted early in 2010.
• Student activities fees and how they are distributed through the Student Senate to various student groups and programs were discussed. Van and car rental policies and procedures were also reviewed as part of this discussion. Vice Presidents Stocco and Westphal will meet with staff from Student Activities to consider options for meeting requests for funds.
• The FTS class involving the building of Adirondack chairs was discussed, including the program’s popularity and potential for ongoing financial support.
• President Ohle asked for nominations for the Thrivent Fellows program, which builds leaders within Lutheran organizations.
• An upcoming extended Cabinet meeting to discuss Commission Gustavus 150 recommendations and institutional goals for the year is planned for Monday, Nov. 16.
• Vice President Westphal reviewed snow emergency procedures and communications. This information will be published in an upcoming issue of Inside Gustavus.
• Vice President Freed updated the group on the requests for proposals that were sent to several marketing firms regarding Nobel Conference promotion.
• Funding opportunities from Arthur Vining Davis Foundations were discussed. Members were asked to bring funding suggestions to the next meeting.
• President Ohle shared that a member of the Faculty Senate will attend the first hour of every other President’s Cabinet meeting beginning later this month.

News & Announcements

Publication Reminder... Due to the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 26 and 27, Inside Gustavus will not be published on Thursday, Nov. 26. Announcements of events and activities occurring between Nov. 20 and Dec. 3 should be submitted by Tuesday, Nov. 17, to be listed in the Nov. 19 edition of Inside Gustavus. The next publication date after Nov. 19 is Dec. 3.

Gustavus After Hours... On Monday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. in the atrium area of the Nobel Hall of Science, 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. 

Faculty Luncheon with the President... President Ohle is pleased to invite faculty members to join him for a luncheon forum. 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 the end of the workday today (Nov. 12) to the President's Office by calling Pat Leagjeld at x7538 or e-mailing her at pleagjel@gustavus.edu.

Holiday Schedule Reminder... Due to the way the Christmas and New Year holidays fall on the calendar this year, the College will be officially closed from Dec. 24 until Jan. 3. The following holidays and floating holidays will be observed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year:

• Thanksgiving Day Holiday - Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009
• Floating Holiday - Friday, Nov. 27
• Floating Holiday - Thursday, Dec. 24
• Christmas Holiday - Friday, Dec. 25
• Floating Holiday - Monday, Dec. 28
• Floating Holiday - Tuesday, Dec. 29
• Floating Holiday - Wednesday, Dec. 30
• Floating Holiday - Thursday, Dec. 31
• New Year's Day Holiday - Friday, Jan. 1, 2010

Wireless Discount... AT&T Wireless now offering a 15 percent discount to Gustavus employees. The Telecommunications Department has made arrangements with AT&T Wireless to provide the discount on qualified charges. This discount can be applied to both new and current customers. Visit http://www.att.com/wireless/gacfacultyandstaff to sign up. For additional information, please contact the Telecommunications Department, x6261 or lmccabe@gustavus.edu.

Call for Ushers... Ushers are being sought for all Christmas in Christ Chapel services (Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.). Volunteers would need to be at Christ Chapel 90 minutes before the service starts and may stay for the service or leave once the service begins. If interested, contact Dana (x7550 or dlamb) or Lorie (x7520 or lsiebels) at your earliest convenience.

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. 13 - Emily Kuenker (senior student)
• Sunday, Nov. 15 - Mary Gaebler (religion)
• Monday, Nov. 16 - Debra Goodwin (religion)
• Tuesday, Nov. 17 - "Sacred Steps": Chad Fothergill, "What Do You Hear on Your Pilgrimage?"
• Wednesday, Nov. 18 - Morning Praise: "The End Is the Beginning" (closing of "Sacred Steps" exhibition)
• Thursday, Nov. 19 - TBA
• Friday, Nov. 20 - Doug Huff (philosophy)

November Fireside Chat... When are we going to get those wind turbines on campus? Jim Dontje (Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation) will give an update on the "wind turbine project" and the work that remains before the College will see wind turbines on campus at the November Fireside Chat on Friday, Nov. 13, 11:30 a.m.- 12:20 p.m. in the Interpretive Center. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Interpretive Center or bring your own.

Faculty Shop Talk Features Political Science Professor... Alisa Rosenthal (political science) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk of the 2009-10 academic year. Her talk, titled "Liberal Bodies: State Coercion, Citizens' Bodies, and Liberal Theory," will be presented on Friday, Nov. 13, 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/.

Ensemble Performances This Weekend... The Department of Music hosts performances by three of its student ensembles in Jussi Björling Recital Hall this weekend. The weekend opens with the Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brian Buckstead, Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. 'Cellist Sharon Mautner-Rodgers (music) joins the orchestra as guest soloist for two programmed works. On Sunday, Nov. 15, the Gustavus Percussion Ensemble, directed by Bob Adney, performs at 1:30 p.m., followed by a woodwind chamber concert featuring the Woodwind Quartet and the Woodwind Quintet, directed by Ann Pesavento, at 3:30 p.m. All three concerts are open to the public at no charge.

Choreographers' Gallery to be Staged... The Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to present the 2009 Choreographer’s Gallery: New Horizons. The dance concert, directed by Melissa Rolnick, features 11 student choreographers and more than 40 dancers. Performances will be held in Anderson Theatre Nov. 19, 20, and 21 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. This captivating and diverse concert is intended to be a platform for creative research in both choreography and design. The Anderson Theatre, normally a thrust stage, will be reconfigured to offer a proscenium stage experience for the students. Tickets are available online at gustavustickets.com or by calling the Gustavus Ticket Center at 507-933-7590. Reserved seating tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens, and free for Gustavus students and staff.

International Festival... On Friday, Nov. 20, the International Cultures Club sponsors its International Festival in Alumni Hall. The festival is an annual event featuring music, dancing, cultural displays, 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.

Storyteller Kling Returns... 1979 graduate Kevin Kling, a nationally known playwright, storyteller, and author, will make an appearance at Gustavus on Friday, Nov. 20, to read read from his latest book, Kevin Kling's Holiday Inn. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. It is open to the public without charge. Kling’s appearance at Gustavus is sponsored by the Book Mark, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, St. Peter Reads, and Friends of the St. Peter Public Library. Copies of his books, including Holiday Inn, will be available for purchase. For more information about this event, contact Judy Schultz in the Book Mark at 507-933-6017 or jdschult@gustavus.edu.

Hmong New Year... The Crossroads Program and the Asian Cultures Club are sponsoring a Hmong New Year celebration on Nov. 22, 6-9 p.m. in Alumni Hall. Come for traditional food, a fashion show, traditional performances, a raffle drawing for a $50 gift card, and other activities (including games, skits, and an "old-time photo" booth), and to listen to speaker Lee Pao Xiong.

From Jokkmokk to Jönköping... Here's some advance notice on a popular Christmas tradition at Gustavus: The annual American Scandinavian Yule Tide Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, in Jackson Center Banquet Rooms. This year's breakfast program features Gustavus students and Professor Roland Thorstensson (Scandinavian studies), who were the first to take part in an exciting new Gustavus program, "Term in Sweden," that took them from Jokkmokk in the north to Jönköping in the south. Through stories and pictures, they will bring the audience along on their odyssey. The price for the breakfast is $8.50. Reservations should be sent to Edi Thorstensson (809 S. 7th Street, St. Peter, MN 56082) or by campus mail to Scandinavian Breakfast, c/o Roland Thorstensson.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Go Play in the Traffic... With the reconstruction of Hwy. 169 nearing completion, it's time to party on the highway! A "Discover St. Peter Holiday Celebration" is planned for Saturday, Nov. 14, along Minnesota Avenue from Dodd Avenue all the way to Jefferson Avenue. The day officially begins when the first of more than 40 St. Peter businesses "opens for business." At 11 a.m. an "Opening Dignitary Event" welcomes the greater community at the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and West Park Row. Activities for the day include

• Free carriage rides along Minnesota Avenue (noon-4 p.m.)
• Great shopping promotions
• Children's scavenger hunt and other games
• Holiday window decorating contest
• Food and refreshments
• Brass quartet performance of Christmas music
• Photos with Santa Claus (at Total Entertainment, 2-4 p.m.)
• Free matinee showings (12:30 and 3 p.m.) of Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian
• Live reindeer
• Caroling contest . . . and more!

"Holiday Celebration . . . After Dark" welcomes you to dine at St. Peter restaurants and enjoy live entertainment at many of the local bars. For times, locations, and further information relating to this momentous event, see copies of the St. Peter Herald or Mankato Free Press, tune youe radio to 103.5FM, visit the Discover 169 website, or contact Cindy Moulton at 934-0661.

'The Amazing Castle' National Exhibition Opening... On Thursday, Nov. 19, bring the entire family to help celebrate the grand opening of The Amazing Castle, a 2,000-square foot traveling exhibition from Minnesota Children’s Museum mounted in Mankato. Launch your imagination by exploring The Amazing Castle, enjoy live children’s entertainment, and get hands-on with activities from the Children’s Museum and students from Minnesota State Mankato and Gustavus. The Amazing Castle will be open to visitors starting Nov. 27 and continuing through early May 2010 at Madison East Shopping Center for $3 per visitor over the age of one year or by purchasing a $35 family membership for unlimited visits. The grand opening event is free and runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Madison East, with memberships available for purchase at that time. Family-friendly food options will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Children’s Museum. NOTE: This semester's Developmental Psychology students at Gustavus are working with the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota to develop museum exhibits for children and their parents. The students will be presenting their exhibits at the museum's Amazing Castle event on Nov. 19. The museum has agreed to select three to four of these exhibits to further develop and become part of the museum's exhibit rotation.

Holiday Fare... Looking to get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Join the Arts Center of Saint Peter for this year's Holiday Fare, taking place Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Saint Peter Community Center. The event will offer a selection of incredible artwork from regional artisans and the opportunity to purchase delectable home-baked favorites such as pie, cookies, and lefse. This event is free and open to the public. All donations, and a portion of the proceeds, go to benefit the Arts Center.

Congregational Outreach

Partners in Education... Presenters scheduled for this week include Chris Johnson (Center for Vocational Reflection), who will be presenting his talk Sunday morning, Nov. 15, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minn. 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.

Preaching in Congregations... The Rev. Grady St. Dennis (church relations) will be preaching at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Minn., Sunday, Nov. 15, at the 9 a.m. worship service. The pulpit supply program is coordinated by the Office of Church Relations.

Retreats... The Office of Church Relations will host a confirmation retreat for Transfiguration Lutheran Church from Bloomington, Minn., Friday, Nov. 13-Sunday, Nov. 15.

Gustavus Youth Outreach... Upcoming GYO trips include Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos, Minn., on Friday, Nov. 13-Saturday, Nov. 14. This program, sponsored by the Office of Church Relations, consists of student team members who plan and lead youth retreats for local congregations.

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

Plugs

For Rent... Country home with 4 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, gourmet kitchen, and 3-car garage. Easy access to Hwy. 169 near Le Sueur. No smoking. $1,200./month; deposit required. Contact Maryann Nelson [vetn6@hotmail.com].

"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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