Inside Gustavus December 17, 2009 | Volume 42, Number 15

News & Announcements

Administrators' Meeting... A meeting for all administrators is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m., in the Heritage Room. This gathering will provide an opportunity for President Ohle to give an update on the state of the College and time for interaction and sharing ideas.

Publication Reminder... With the end of fall semester and the holiday break, Inside Gustavus will not be published for the next two weeks. The next Inside Gustavus will be posted on Jan. 7, 2010.

Donations for the St. Peter Area Food Shelf... St Peter Area Food Shelf donations will again be accepted at this year's Support Staff Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 22. Bring any items you wish to donate with you to the luncheon—non-perishable food items and monetary donations are appreciated. Food donations in 2008 totaled 107 pounds, which was down from 194 pounds in 2007. This year, the Staff Personnel Committee is challenging the support staff to reach a goal of at least 150 pounds. The SPC thanks you in advance for your generosity during the holidays.

Book Mark Sale Ends Soon... The annual Book Mark Christmas Sale continues through Wednesday, Dec. 23, during store hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)—20 percent off most items!

United Way Seeks Your Help... Members of the Gustavus community are reminded to submit their United Way of St. Peter gift/pledge form and contribution to the Finance Office by Friday, Dec. 18. The Gustavus community has been a longtime contributor to United Way, which serves hundreds of local individuals through 17 area agencies. Along with serving the needs of the local community, United Way of St. Peter directly helps programs at Gustavus, primarily Big Partner, Little Partner, the highly successful mentoring program. Last year, the Gustavus community contributed $13,295 (with a match making the College’s total giving $15,801) to the United Way. This year, President and Kris Ohle will donate $100 for every $500 increase in giving over last year from the Gustie community. You are welcome to make a direct gift by check or have a designated amount deducted from your paycheck. All you need to do is complete the pledge card and return it to the Finance Office by Dec. 18. If you have any questions, please contact Ann Johnson, director of advancement services, by phone (x6515) or via e-mail.

Wind Turbine Variance Hearing... The Nicollet County Board of Adjustment will be meeting on Monday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. in the County Board Room to hear Gustavus's request for a variance from the half-mile setback from dwellings which was in the recently adopted WECS ordinance. This is the first step in the permitting process necessary for the installation of a wind turbine. When the request was submitted, the director of environmental services asked about the level of support this project had on campus. If you would like to show your support, you may write a letter to the Nicollet County Environmental Services or attend the meeting. Questions may be directed to Chuck Niederriter (chuck@gustavus.edu) or other members of the wind committee (Ken Westphal, Warren Wunderlich, Bob Weisenfeld, Bob Douglas, Jim Dontje, and Jeff Jeremiason).

'A Mitten on Every Hand'... Join the Book Mark staff in making winter a little warmer for local needy kids. Between now and December 22, look for the "Mitten Drop" bushel basket at the front of the store and drop off any size new mittens or gloves (hand-knit varieties very welcome). Book Mark personnel will bundle up and deliver all donations to the Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) just before Christmas. Be assured that your kindness will benefit local families needing a little extra warmth this season.

Radio Broadcasts of Christmas in Christ Chapel... Selections from Christmas in Christ Chapel 2009 will be broadcast on a number of area radio stations during the coming days. Here's a schedule of those confirmed by this week's Inside Gustavus deadline:

• KNUJ AM 860 (New Ulm), 3:30 p.m., Christmas Day
• KJLY FM 104.5 (Blue Earth), 4 p.m., Christmas Day & 11:00 a.m., Dec. 27 (also broadcast to KJYL FM 100.7, Eagle Grove, Iowa; KJCY FM 95.5, Mason City, Iowa; KJIA FM 88.9, Spirit Lake, Iowa; and translator stations in Storm Lake/Okoboji 96.3 FM, Austin 98.3 FM, Mankato 107.1 FM, New Ulm 94.1 FM, Mason City 92.5 FM, Owatonna 93.5 FM, St. Peter 97.9 FM, and Sleepy Eye/Springfield 92.3 FM.
• KWOA AM 730 (Worthington), Christmas Day, 8-10 a.m.
• KDHL AM 920 (Faribault), Christmas Eve, 10 p.m.
• KRFO AM 1390 (Owatonna), Dec. 21, time TBA

CVR Offers Reading/Discussion Groups Again... The CVR's January Interim Reading/Discussion Groups for faculty and staff are back! Join your colleagues for one of both of these weekly conversations to reflect together on your teaching, mentoring, scholarship, life-work integration, and more. This year’s options are (1) Mary Rose O’Reilley, The Garden at Night: Burnout and Breakdown in the Teaching Life, Friday afternoons, Jan. 8, 15, & 22, at 3 p.m. (location TBA; refreshments will be provided) and (2) David Whyte, The Heart Aroused: Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America, every Thursday afternoon (Jan. 7, 14, 21, & 28) at 12:30 p.m. (location TBA; lunch included). Books will be provided. Contact Amy in the CVR (phone x7169 or e-mail apehrson) by Monday, Dec. 21, to reserve a place at one or both.

IRS Announces New Mileage Rate... Effective January 1, 2010, the IRS's Optional Business Standard Mileage Rate will be 50 cents per mile. The rate had been 55 cents per mile in 2009. A reimbursement to employees up to the 50-cent rate for qualifying use of their own vehicles will meet the requirements of an Accountable Plan for Reimbursement of Employee Business Expenses.

CVR to Sponsor Professional Development Seminar... The Center for Vocational Reflection (CVR) will sponsor a professional development seminar on "Vocation, Teaching, and Learning in the Liberal Arts" during the summer of 2010. All faculty and administrators are encouraged to apply. The structure and dates of the seminar will be as follows:

• A four-day opening session Monday through Thursday, June 7-10, 2010
• Individual and small-group reading, discussion, and course-development work scheduled independently throughout the summer
• A day-long session on Friday, August 27, and a one-day wrap-up session the following summer, Friday, June 3, 2011
• Also, participants will receive invitations to additional opportunities for reflection, discussion, and mutual support throughout the 2010-11 academic year, including informal evening dinner-discussions in November 2010 and February 2011, a book-discussion group in January 2011, and an off-campus retreat in April 2011.

Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend, meals, and materials and will be eligible to apply for limited additional funding to support appropriate course- or program-related expenses that grow out of the seminar. The primary outcome of the seminar is expected to be the development of new courses and/or significant course revisions (or, for administrators, new or revised academic programs) to include substantial consideration of issues of vocation as a major component. Applications are available on the CVR's website and are due by Monday, Feb. 1; up to 15 participants will be notified of their acceptance into the seminar by Feb. 15.

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, Dec. 18 - Taizé
• Sunday, Dec. 20 - Mary Dixon Gaebler (religion)
• Monday, Dec. 21 - Litany for Travelers

Rare and Unique Bibles on Display... The Gustavus Adolphus College and Lutheran Church Archives has a new semi-permanent display of bibles located outside of the Archives Reading Room on the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library's third floor. As a tribute to the Christmas season, a number of illustrated bibles have been opened to display various images associated with Jesus' birth. Many of these rare and unique bibles are hundreds of years old. You are invited to visit the display to see some beautiful and inspiring images. The presentation was made possible thanks to assistance from students Morgen Hagedorn and Tyna Johnson.

Mankato Children's Chorus in Christ Chapel... "Sing For Joy," the annual winter concert of the Mankato Children's Chorus, is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. in Christ Chapel. Tickets for the performance will be available at the door and are priced at $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and children 18 and younger. More than 150 singers in five choirs will participate in the concert. The MCC will be joined by a 35-member parent and alumni choir and New Joy, the Belgrade Avenue United Methodist Church handbell choir. Sunday's concert is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, Waseca, from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.

Civil Rights Movement Leader Here in January... On Jan. 18, 2010, the Diversity Center, the Peace Studies Program, and the President's office are sponsoring a special campuswide convocation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Rev. Cordy Tindell "C.T." Vivian, a close friend and lieutenant of Dr. King during the American Civil Rights Movement who is still active in civil rights issues today at age 85, will be the keynote speaker at a special chapel service/convocation from 10 to 11:15 a.m. The Rev. C.T. Vivian is a living legend of the Civil Rights Movement and continues his activism today at the age of 85, tirelessly working for the progress of African Americans and the civil and political rights of all people. An uplifting speaker, he has addressed audiences in 42 states, 10 countries, and on countless campuses nationwide on the issues of civil rights, non-violence, racism, and Dr. King, with whom he worked for many years. The entire campus and St. Peter community are invited to join in on Monday, Jan. 18, as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with one of his closest friends.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

'Nutcracker'... The Mankato Ballet Company stages its 24th annual presentation of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet on Dec. 19 (2 and 7 p.m.) and Dec. 20 (1 p.m.) at the Mankato West High School Auditorium. Tickets are priced at $16 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under and are available online or by phone (387-1008) from the Twin Rivers Center for the Arts. The Nutcracker is another regional arts performance made possible in part by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, Waseca, from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.

Congregational Outreach

Preaching in Congregations... The Rev. Grady St. Dennis (church relations) will be preaching at the 9 and 11 a.m. worship services at Bethel Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minn., on Sunday, Dec. 27. This program is coordinated by the Office of Church Relations.

Facility Hours

Library Hours for Remaining Days of Finals... Thursday & Friday, Dec. 17 & 18 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 - 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 20 - 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Monday, Dec. 21 - 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Lund Center Hours through the Holidays... Sunday, Dec. 20 - noon-9 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 21-23 - 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday-Monday, Dec. 24-28 - CLOSED; Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 29-31 - 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, Jan. 1 & 2 - CLOSED; Sunday, Jan. 3 - noon-10 p.m. Check at the Red Desk for pool and weight room hours.

Telecommunications Updates

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

• Neely Camp to Neely Prenzlow, marketing & communication, phone: x7173, e-mail: neely (name & e-mail change)

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

Plugs

For Sale... Two sand-colored Hon two-drawer file cabinets. Originally priced at $150 each. Asking $75 each, or two for 135. Also, a Bernina sewing machine, Model 77, $75. Contact cmarx@gustavus.edu or phone 507-304-5600.

"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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