Inside Gustavus March 8, 2012 | Volume 44, Number 23

News & Announcements

Accreditation Update...The countdown stands at 411 days before the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) site visit team arrives at Gustavus to review our case for accreditation. Why does accreditation matter? Accreditation in higher education serves several purposes: assuring the quality of the institution and its programs; ensuring access to federal and state funds for financial aid, research, and more; and providing confidence in the institution to employers, foundations, and the public. First accredited in 1915 by the North Central Association to offer the Bachelor of Arts degree, Gustavus has been continuously re-accredited ever since, most recently in 2003. For more information on the accreditation process and the Gustavus self-study, contact co-chairs Carolyn Dobler (dobler, x7481) or Chris Gilbert (cgilbert, x6093).

Campus Happenings

Building Bridges Conference...The 17th annual Building Bridges Conference, "Unresolved Conflict: Remember Our Forgotten History," will take place Saturday, March 10, and will address the impact of colonization on American Indians, past and present. Charlotte Black Elk will deliver the keynote address at 10 a.m. in Christ Chapel. A highlighted workshop will be given by John Trudell at 12:15 p.m. More information is avilable on the Building Bridges website.

Moe Lecture...Dr. Jackson Katz will deliver the 2012 Moe Lecture in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at 7 p.m.m Wednesday, March 14 in Alumni Hall. Katz is internationall recognized for his groundbreaking work in gender violence prevention education in schools, the sports culture, and the military, as well as for his pioneering work in critical media literacy.The event is free and open to the public.

Spring Dance Concert...The Department of Theatre and Dance will present its Spring Dance Concert, Something Like Flight March. 16-18. Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. on March 16-17 and at 2 p.m. on March 18. Tickets are available at gustavustickets.com.

Lutheran World Relief in Columbia...On Monday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in Olin 103, Lutheran World Relief Colombia country director and noted human rights expert, Zoraida Castillo, will share about the ongoing work of Lutheran World Relief and its NGO and church partners to build peace in some of the communities most affected by the decades of internal conflict in Colombia. Gustavus professors Mayra Taylor (Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures) and Thomas Sigler (Geography) will serve as panelists in a discussion following Castillo’s talk. This lecture is the final installment in a three part series on Lutheran peacebuilding sponsored by Peace Studies, LALACS, and the sesquicentennial fund.

Faculty Shop Talk...Dwight Stoll (Chemistry) will present the next Faculty Shop Talk of the 2011-12 academic year. His talk titled, “Impacts of a multi-disciplinary approach to training undergraduates in analytical chemistry: Adventures in the analysis of environmental contaminants and chemopreventive compounds in foods” will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, 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/.

Gustie Breakfast...You are invited to a Gustie Breakfast Wednesday, March 14. This month’s breakfast will feature Jeff Owen '92 (Economics and Management). Reserve your spot by e-mailing gustiebreakfast@gustavus.edu or call 507-933-6043. Engage with other friends of Gustavus and learn something about the College. The on-campus breakfasts are held at 7:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in a campus banquet room. Cost is $8 for an individual or $15 per couple, payable at the door. Visit gustavus.edu/alumni/events/gustiebreakfast/ for more information.

Tree Pruning Program...Naturalist Scott Moeller will host a free program about tree pruning basics at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 in the Melva Lind Interpretive Center. Learn the basic tools and strategies, then put them to practice on a few specimens in the arboretum. Call 933-6181 for more information.

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, March 9 - Casey Elledge
• Sunday, March 11 - Chaplain Rachel Larson
• Monday, March 12 - Linda Hertke, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
• Tuesday, March 13 - Chaplain Grady St. Dennis
• Wednesday, March 14 - Lenten Morning Prayer
• Thursday, March 15 - Jason Smerdon, First Decade Award
• Friday, March 16 - Senior Student Ellen Miller

Off-Campus Events of Interest

First Lutheran Presents "A Night of Schubert"...First Lutheran Church in St. Peter will present guest tenor Russell Svenningsen and pianist Debra Reid, in a recital of Franz Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise (Winter Journey), Saturday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. The recital is free and open to all.

Wizard of Oz Interactive Movie Party…The Creative Play Place’s third annual Interactive Movie Party is coming up on Saturday, March 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Saint Peter High School Theatre. Fun activities for the whole family throughout the movie! Dress as your favorite character to enter the costume contest or just come watch the movie.Tickets are available online at twinriversarts.org or call 507-387-1008 for more information.

Day at the Capitol...On Wednesday, March 14, Gustavus students and financial aid supporters will travel to St. Paul to meet with state legislators to show continued support and appreciation for the Minnesota State Grant program. The program helps make higher education affordable for 88,000 Minnesota college and university students. One quarter of Gustavus students receive need-based aid through the program each year. Go online to the Day at the Capitol website to sign up for the day's events.

Congregational Outreach

Confirmation Retreats...This weekend (March 9-11) there will be three confirmation retreats on campus. The first one is a combined retreat with Jackson Lake Lutheran Church from Amboy, Minn., and Faith Lutheran Church from Delavan, Minn.. The second retreat is from Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The third retreat is a day retreat on Saturday with St. John's Lutheran Church and Cross of Peace Lutheran Church from Shakopee, Minn. The confirmation retreats program is a program sponsored by Church Relations that allows churches to bring their youth here to experience a weekend of faith and fun.

GYO...Gustavus Youth Outreach has two on campus bookings this weekend. They will be working with the combined retreat of Cross of Peace Lutheran Church and St. John's Lutheran Church from Shakopee. A team will also be working with the combined churches of Jackson Lake Lutheran Church from Amboy and Faith Lutheran Church from Delavan. GYO is a student led organization that works with the youth from churches on or off campus to help them grow in their faith through games, Bible Studies, and Worship Services.

Special Events..."Understanding Gustavus: Exploring Its Lutheran Identity." Darrell Jodock will give a presentation during lunch on March 13 to explore the characteristic of purposefulness of the Lutheran heritage and its influence on Gustavus. Participants may attend at either 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. (repeat presentations) with short discussion following. It is not necessary to have attended a previous session. Participants pick up a free lunch at the buffet and bring it to the President's Dining Room. Contact Marilyn Beyer in Church Relations (x7001) with questions.

Exploring Religious Questions Series...This series will hold two more sessions this month on March 12 and March 19. Darrell Jodock, Sarah Ruble (Religion) and Linda Hartke (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) will be presenting on the topic "Politics and Religion: Sorting Things Out." The sessions are held in Olin 103 from 7-9 p.m. Registration is necessary and space is limited. Exploring Religious Questions gives people the chance to come and learn about topics that are relevant to religion in today's society. Contact Marilyn Beyer (x7001) in Church Relations with questions.



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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. For more information, contact Matt Thomas (mthomas@gustavus.edu or x7510).

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