Inside Gustavus January 14, 2010 | Volume 42, Number 17

Faculty/Staff Activities

Stephen Bennett (dean of students' office) has been selected by the St. Peter Community Behavioral Health Hospital administration and the Minnesota Department of Human Services to serve on the St. Peter Community Behavioral Health Hospital Governance Advisory Board. The role of the Governance Advisory Board is to monitor the quality of care provided by the hospital, to review complaints and recommend changes to services to improve client satisfaction, to approve credentials of licensed independent practitioners with privileges at the facility, and to oversee the financial performance against the approved budget. Bennett will serve a three-year term on the board beginning January 2010.

In the Media

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

  • Anna Versluis (geography) was quoted in a Thursday, Jan. 14, USA Today story about the earthquake in Haiti. Versluis was also interviewed by KEYC-TV for a story on the situation in Haiti.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story in its Thursday, Jan. 14, Sports section about the men's basketball team's 56-51 upset victory over No. 5 ranked St. Thomas. Head coach Mark Hanson and student-athletes Seth Anderson and Jesse Van Sickle were quoted in the story.
  • The Mankato Free Press printed a story about the men's hockey team scheduling a game against St. John's at the Xcel Energy Center. Head coach Brett Petersen was quoted in the story.
  • David Kogler (admission) was quoted in a U.S. News & World Report story regarding ways high school students can improve their chances of getting accepted at a college or university after applying.

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

Grant Supports Sustainability... A three-year, $155,000 NSF curriculum development grant announced in December will assist participating faculty members in integrating sustainability across and within the science curriculum at Gustavus. While the initiative involves a wide range of faculty members, core project faculty are lead proposal author Chuck Niederriter (physics) and co-authors Colleen Jacks (biology) and Jeff Jeremiason (chemistry and environmental studies). The award will enable the faculty members involved and others to develop interdisciplinary laboratory experiences related to sustainability. The grant is intended to impact three different audiences on campus: first-year and non-science students, science students in introductory and intermediate level courses, and junior- and senior-level students majoring in the sciences.

Instrumentation Grant Assists Acoustics Research... Also announced in December, a $310,000 grant from the NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation Program - Recovery and Reinvestment (MRI-R2), an initiative of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will allow the College to purchase a new Polytec PSV-400 scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) to support the acoustics research program of Tom Huber (physics). The new vibrometer will serve as the centerpiece of a new cyber-enabled acoustics laboratory that will benefit not only Gustavus students and faculty, but also collaborators across the country. In April 2009, Huber had received a three-year, $220,000 NSF grant to study the use of ultrasound to excite vibrations in microcantilevers, which are less than a third the width of a single strand of hair. The SLDV enables much greater sensitivity for detecting changes in vibrations of these microcantilevers, which are used as physical, chemical, or biological sensors. In addition, it will be used to measure vibration in musical instruments as large as a piano, guitar, or an organ pipe.

Funding Opportunities

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

  • Research Opportunity Awards... The National Science Foundation offers Faculty Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) through its Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program. ROAs enable faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions such as Gustavus to pursue research as visiting scientists with NSF-supported investigators at other institutions, who request an ROA supplement on a current award or when submitting a new or renewal proposal. Most frequently, ROA activities are summer experiences, but partial support of sabbaticals may also be provided. ROA supplements are usually about $25,000. For information about the ROA program, please see Section II D of the RUI announcement on the NSF website.

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

 

News & Announcements

Immunization Reminder... Local health care providers—including Nicollet County Public Health, River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic, Mankato Clinic at Daniels Health Center and North Mankato Family Practice, and the St. Peter Clinic and ISJ Clinic Northridge Mayo Health System—have been working collaboratively to provide free H1N1 vaccinations to all local residents who wish to be vaccinated. Despite the recent news of the decline in the number of H1N1 flu cases and the end to the second wave of the H1N1 pandemic, local, state, and federal health officials insist that now is the best time to ensure that everyone who wants the vaccine has access to it. Vaccination clinics have already been held in Lafayette and Nicollet, and one will be held at the Nicollet County Government Center (501 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter) on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2-7 p.m. The vaccination is FREE at this clinic and available to anyone age 6 months of age and older. Downloadable consent forms can be found on the Nicollet County website: www.co.nicollet.mn.us. For more information, call 507-934-0459.

Datatel Production Systems Unavailable Next Week... All production/live databases in the Datatel system (including R18-ColProd, BenLive, Web Advisor, and Informer) will be unavailable to the Gustavus community starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, until 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, to allow for a planned data conversion process. During this period WebAdvisor will be unavailable; if faculty or students need registration or academic record information, they may contact the Registrar's Office. Offices that regularly use Datatel directly will have "read only" access during this time. There is never a "good time" for a system to be unavailable, but it is very important that this conversion take place. We ask everyone's patience and understanding during these few days. If you have concerns or questions about the migration project or the Datatel-system-unavailable time frame, contact David Maas (x7492).

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, Jan. 15 - Todd Ruble (Dining Service)
  • Sunday, Jan. 17 - Chaplain Brian Johnson
  • Monday, Jan. 18 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Convocation: The Rev. C.T. Vivian (10-11:15 a.m.)
  • Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Rachel Guptill (student)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Morning Praise
  • Thursday, Jan. 21 - Singer/songwriter Neal Hagberg '81
  • Friday, Jan. 22 - TBA

'Recyclemania'... In response to heightened environmental awareness within the Gustavus community and across the country, the College has accepted the challenge to participate in a friendly recycling competition between colleges and universities around the world known as "Recyclemania." For a 10-week period beginning Jan. 15 and extending into March, data concerning recyclable materials and waste on campus will be collected and reported to Recyclemania officials. Each week Gustavus's results will be posted and compared to the results of other schools. Faculty, staff, and students are all encouraged to make their best efforts to recycle paper, bottles, cans, and cardboard while working to minimize trash and waste during the competition. Recycling takes little effort, and it has a huge positive impact on the environment. Look for Recyclemania posters around campus, and contact recyclemania@gustavus.edu if you have any questions. At the same time, the campus looks forward to the start of the Minnesota Energy Challenge at the end of Touring Week.

Guest Trumpet Recital Saturday... The Department of Music is pleased to welcome Jonathan Brandt to present a guest trumpet recital at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Jussi Björling Recital Hall. He will be accompanied by pianist Beth Winterfeldt. The recital is free and open to the public. A California native, Brandt has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Fresno Philharmonic among other orchestras, and is a founding member of the Novus Brass Quintet, which was awarded the prestigious Saunderson Award at the Coleman Chamber Music Competition.  A reception for the musicians will follow the recital.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Convocation... On Monday, Jan. 18, the Diversity Center, the Peace Studies program, and the Office of the President are sponsoring a campuswide convocation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Rev. Cordy Tindell "C.T." Vivian, a close friend and associate of King during the critical years of the African-American Civil Rights Movement, will present an address, "Civil Rights and the New Millennium," at a special convocation in Christ Chapel from 10 to 11:15 a.m. The entire campus and St. Peter community are invited to the convocation on Jan. 18, as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with one of his close friends.

The Poker Ski Run Is On... Late December's snowstorms have left us with a bounty of snow, great for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and just plain fun! You're invited to the Poker Ski Run in the Linnaeus Arboretum on Friday, Jan. 22, 3-5pm. Ski, snowshoe, or walk the arboretum's groomed trails and play a hand of poker when you're finished. Playing card stations will be placed along the trail and the best hand on return to the Interpretive Center wins! Enjoy hot chocolate, cider, cookies, and a warm fire inside the Interpretive Center. Cross-country skis and snowshoes can be rented from Lund Center.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Gustavus Wind Orchestra Returns to Central Europe... For the third time in 16 years, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra and Conductor Douglas Nimmo will travel to central Europe on a concert tour through Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. The 73-member ensemble leaves on Jan. 20 to present eight concerts while on a 16-day adventure. The grand cities of central Europe—Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, and Salzburg—will once again welcome the wind orchestra. The ensemble will also visit Hradec Kralov, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Bohemia, Wroclaw and Kety in Poland, and Pomaz in Hungary. A complete itinerary for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra's 2010 Central European Tour can be found on the Fine Arts website, and readers can follow the band's progress through blogs on the Marketing & Communication website.

Obituaries

  • Monica Traxler, mother of Tim Traxler (custodial), passed away on Sunday, Jan. 10, in Le Sueur. Burial was Wednesday, Jan. 13, in Le Center.

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... Darrell Jodock (religion) will present an adult forum class on the topic of "Faith and Science" on Sunday, Jan. 17, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Hopkins, Minn. Partners in Education is a program coordinated by the Office of Church Relations in which participating faculty and staff members present topics of interest for adult forums, workshops, and seminars in congregations of the ELCA.

Retreats... The Office of Church Relations will host a confirmation retreat from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato on Jan. 15-16. The Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations, coordinated by the Office of Church Relations, will also host a day retreat on Jan. 16 for a church website training workshop attended by representatives of congregations in southwestern Minnesota.

Music in Worship... Any Gustavus music ensemble or 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."

  • Numa Ali, MLLC (J-Term), phone: x7391, e-mail: nali (addition)
  • Durkee Cha, art (J-Term), phone: x7019 (addition)
  • David Compton, custodial, phone: x7655 (addition)
  • Paul Grochow, Lund Center, phone: x6660, e-mail: pgrochow (addition)
  • Jeffrey Haun, psychology (J-Term), phone: x7518, e-mail: jhaun (addition)
  • Kris Higginbotham, art (J-Term), phone: x7019, e-mail: khigginb (addition)
  • Adan Hussein, custodial, phone: x6035 (addition)
  • Aimee Johnson, finance, phone: x7501, e-mail: ajohns28 (addition)
  • Marlys Johnson, E/B (J-Term), phone x7414, e-mail: mjohns13 (addition)
  • Tyler Johnson, history, phone: x7434, e-mail: tjohns13 (addition)
  • Travis Nygard, art (J-Term), phone: x7019, e-mail: tnygard (addition)
  • Rochelle Poehler, financial aid, phone: x7527 (deletion)
  • Peter Shea, philosophy (J-Term), phone: x7548, e-mail: pshea (addition)
  • Cinde Wiebusch, Lund Center, phone: x6660 (addition)

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

Postal Pointers

No Mail Service on King Holiday... There will be no mail service (USPS) on Monday, Jan. 18. FedEx and UPS will maintain their regular schedules.

Plugs

Wanted... "Used car for my son. He is willing to pay up to $4,000." E-mail dminter@gustavus.edu or call 934-4950 or 382-1602.

"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
Today Spring & Easter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/spring-easter-breakCampus
Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
Women's Tennis vs Averetthttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/womens-tennis-vs-averettVirginia Beach, Va.
Men's Tennis faces Pomona-Pitzerhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-tennis-faces-pomonapitzerClaremont, Calif.
Men's Tennis faces St. Katherinehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-tennis-faces-st-katherineOceanside, Calif.
Tomorrow Spring & Easter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/spring-easter-breakCampus
Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
1 p.m. Baseball at Augsburg (DH)https://gustavus.edu/calendar/baseball-at-augsburg-dh-4Minneapolis, Minn.
Mar 31 Spring & Easter Breakhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/spring-easter-breakCampus
Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
Apr 1 Second Half Courses Starthttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/second-half-courses-start-2Campus
Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
10 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. Chapel Break: Praying the Rosaryhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-praying-the-rosary-10Bonnier Multifaith Center
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Holy Communionhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-holy-communion-6Christ Chapel
14 p.m. Rob and Judy Gardner Celebration of Lifehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/rob-and-judy-gardner-celebration-of-lifeChrist Chapel
Apr 2 Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: chapel and chillhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-chapel-and-chill-14Christ Chapel
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Open Prayer Timehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-open-prayer-time-9Bonnier Multifaith Center
12:30 p.m. Belonging Webinar: Independent Colleges and Universities: The Value of Mission-Driven Teaching Excellencehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/belonging-webinar-independent-colleges-and-universities-the-value-of-missiondriven-teaching-excellenceBeck Hall 201
Apr 3 Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Morning Praise with Gustavus Choirhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-morning-praise-with-gustavus-choir-3Christ Chapel
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Praying the Rosaryhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-praying-the-rosary-10Bonnier Multifaith Center
1 p.m. Baseball hosts UW La-Crosse (DH)https://gustavus.edu/calendar/baseball-hosts-uw-lacrosse-dhSt. Peter, Minn.
3:30 p.m. Softball hosts Concordia (DH)https://gustavus.edu/calendar/softball-hosts-concordia-dh-3St. Peter, Minn.
Apr 4 Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Mindfulness Meditationhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-mindfulness-meditation-8Bonnier Multifaith Center
1010:20 a.m. Interfaith Discussion Series: Dr. Sam Kessler focusing on Jewish Faithhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/interfaith-discussion-series-dr-sam-kessler-focusing-on-jewish-faithChrist Chapel
2:303:30 p.m. Sports & Travel Writing with Frank Bureshttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/sports-travel-writing-with-frank-buresBeck #101
2:303:30 p.m. Sports & Travel Writing with Frank Bureshttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/sports-travel-writing-with-frank-bures-2Beck #101
Apr 5 Used Equipment Drive for National Athletic Training Monthhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/used-equipment-drive-for-national-athletic-training-monthAthletic Training Room Lund 120
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admitted Student Dayhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/admitted-student-day-4Jackson Campus Center
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Musical Showcase featuring lil' SIPDEhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-musical-showcase-featuring-lil-sipdeChrist Chapel
1010:20 a.m. Chapel Break: Praying the Rosaryhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/chapel-break-praying-the-rosary-10Bonnier Multifaith Center
Men's Golf at Illinois Wesleyan Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-golf-at-illinois-wesleyan-invite-2Normall, Ill.
noon to 1 p.m. Women's Tennis hosts Midwest Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/womens-tennis-hosts-midwest-inviteMadison, Wis.
4:306:30 p.m. Faculty Shop Talk - Hagar Attiahttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/faculty-shop-talk-hagar-attiaInterpretive Center
68 p.m. Mr. Gustavushttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mr-gustavus-4Jackson Campus Center
Apr 6 Men's Golf at Illinois Wesleyan Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-golf-at-illinois-wesleyan-invite-2Normall, Ill.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Faculty Writing Retreat at American Swedish Institute (ASI)https://gustavus.edu/calendar/faculty-writing-retreat-at-american-swedish-institute-asi-8American Swedish Institute (ASI) in Minneapolis
Women's Golf at Wash U Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/womens-golf-at-wash-u-inviteSt. Louis, Mo.
Men's Tennis faces Chicagohttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-tennis-faces-chicagoWisconsin
Men's Tennis at St. Johnshttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-tennis-at-st-johnsSartell, Minn.
Men's Track & Field at Norse Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/mens-track-field-at-norse-inviteDecorah, Iowa
11 a.m. Women's Track & Field at Norse Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/womens-track-field-at-norse-inviteDecorah, Iowa
noon to 1 p.m. Women's Tennis hosts Midwest Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/womens-tennis-hosts-midwest-inviteMadison, Wis.
1 p.m. Baseball hosts St. Johns (DH)https://gustavus.edu/calendar/baseball-hosts-st-johns-dhSt. Peter, Minn.
1 p.m. Softball at Hamline (DH)https://gustavus.edu/calendar/softball-at-hamline-dh-4St. Paul, Minn.
1:302:30 p.m. Isabella Aase, Student Recitalhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/isabella-aase-student-recitalJussi Björling Recital Hall
24 p.m. 4Word: Insights into Writing and Publicationhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/4word-insights-into-writing-and-publication-2Helen Young Room at the Southdale Library, 7001 York Avenue S, Edina
Apr 7 Women's Golf at Wash U Invitehttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/womens-golf-at-wash-u-inviteSt. Louis, Mo.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Alex Dillon, Student Recitalhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/alex-dillon-student-recitalJussi Björling Recital Hall
1:303:30 p.m. Lucia Singers and Chapel Choir, Spring Concerthttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/lucia-singers-and-chapel-choir-spring-concertChrist Chapel
6:307:30 p.m. Sunday Worship Communityhttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/sunday-worship-community-28Christ Chapel
78 p.m. Yoga Nighthttps://gustavus.edu/calendar/yoga-nightLund Movement Studio

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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