Inside Gustavus March 15, 2012 | Volume 44, Number 24

President's Cabinet Summary

The President's Cabinet met on March 6 and March 13 and discussed the following topics:

• Members approved the advertising for a full time Student Life replacement position (Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs).

• Discussion was held regarding combining student co-curricular recognition events into one large event.  Members liked the idea, and Vice President VanHecke will continue discussions with Student Life staff regarding the feasibility of holding such an event this academic year, possibly in conjunction with Honors Day.

• President Ohle distributed and reviewed documents outlining a charge, purpose, scope, and desired outcome of the Special Task Force. 

• Discussion was held regarding a tobacco free policy.  

• Faculty Senate Chair Steve Mellema gave an update on recent activities of the Faculty Senate, including continued conversations about the work of the Personnel Committee and an amendment to the Faculty Manual concerning the process for considering faculty status for administrators.

•  President Ohle gave an update on the two Distinguished Chair searches.  He hopes to announce the successful candidate for the Distinguished Chair in Management and Leadership by the end of next week. Two candidates for the Bernhardson Chair have been interviewed and a third candidate will be on campus next week.

News & Announcements

Accreditation Update...The countdown stands at 404 days before the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) site visit team arrives at Gustavus. The college’s primary task for the site visit is the preparation of a self-study that evaluates all aspects of Gustavus. A steering committee of faculty, staff and administrators has been working on the self-study since the summer of 2010, gathering evidence that shows Gustavus meets all five criteria for accreditation. The rough draft of this document will be available in fall 2012, and the steering committee will seek feedback from all corners of the Gustavus community before the finalized self-study is approved by the Board of Trustees and submitted to the HLC in February 2013. For more information on the accreditation process and the Gustavus self-study, contact co-chairs Carolyn Dobler (dobler@gustavus.edu, x7481) or Chris Gilbert (cgilbert@gustavus.edu, x6093).

Spring Fitness Challenge...Registration for the GHP Spring Fitness Challenge can be done online beginning March 19. The team captain must register the team online by April 6 and then pick up the Challenge packet at the Lund Information Desk. The challenge runs for four weeks from April 9-May 7. Each participant who reaches their exercise goal will receive either a state park sticker or a fishing license. Contact Rachelle Dosch at rdosch@gustavus.edu for more information.

Campus Happenings

Empowering Women Week...Watch for tabling and events during the week of March 19-23 in celebration of Empowering Women Week. Guest speaker Stacy Nadeau will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 in Alumni Hall on "Embracing Real Beauty."

Human Sex Trafficking Documentary...The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will sponsor a screening of the documentary Nefarious: Merchant of Souls at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 25 in Alumni Hall. The film is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning documentary on the global sex trade that tells the story of millions of women and children around the world who are increasingly becoming the expendable pawns of the demand for illicit sex.

Education Under Fire...This campaign that revolves around the human rights violations in Iran regarding the denial of education to people of the Baha'i faith, is coming to campus Friday, March 23. A 30-minute documentary will be shown, followed by discussion with special guests Dr. Nadar Saidei and Ms. Parva Fattahi. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall.

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 16 - Senior Ellen Miller
• Sunday, March 18 - Chaplain Rachel Larson
• Monday, March 19 - Prayers for Healing, Chaplain Rachel Larson
• Tuesday, March 20 - Eric Eliason
• Wednesday, March 21 - Lenten Morning Prayer
• Thursday, March 22 - Julie Johnson
• Friday, March 23 - JoNes VanHecke

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/.

Bible Study Fellowship...Bring your lunch and join others for devotions, Bible study, and fellowship from 12:30-1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, in Linner Lounge.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Retirement Celebration...Sandy Grochow is retiring after 48 years at Gustavus. A reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Apri 13 at Shoreland Country Club. Bring a toast and a story to tell.

Musical Event...The St. Peter Choral Society will present Bach’s St. John Passion with an eighteen–piece orchestra at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18 at the Church of St. Peter. Directed by Sara McKay, soloists include Gustavus professor Michael Jorgensen in the role of Jesus and Gustavus graduate Roy Heilman as St. John the Evangelist. Orchestral members from the Gustavus community include Ann Pesavento (bassoon), Kris Raaen (flute), Helen Baumgartner and Mark Wamma (violin), Warren Friesen (viola), Kate Sonsteby (cello), David Fienen (organ), and four choral scholars including undergrads Gabe Hanson, Rebecca Thompson, and Devon Marschall. Choir members include SPCS president John Holte, Ron Rietz, Bernard Erling, and Steve Hogberg. The concert will be repeated at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake. Tickets are $10 in advance at Swedish Kontur in St. Peter and Peoples State Bank in Madison Lake and Eagle Lake. $15 at the door. Students free.

Benefit...There will be a benefit and silent auction for Jerry Thompson April 21 from 5-11 p.m. at the American Legion in St. Peter. Cash donations may be dropped off at Nicollet County Bank. Jerry is recovering from brain tumor surgery.

Sport Shorts

• The Gustavus women's hockey team will play in a national semifinal game against Norwich College at 6 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 16. The Gusties will then either play for third place or the Division III national championship on Saturday, March 17.

• Gustavus men's basketball player Seth Anderson will play in the 2012 Reese's Division III College All-Star Game at 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, March 17 in Salem, Va.

Congregational Outreach

Partners in Education...Garret Paul (Religion) will be speaking at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, March 18 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine on the topic "God and Politics." Grady St. Dennis (Church Relations/Chaplains' Office) will be speaking at 10:30 a.m. Sunday March 18 at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth on "Reflections as Chaplain to the Minnesota House of Representatives." Partners in Education is a program coordinated by Church Relations in which participating faculty and staff members prepare topical presentations for adult forums, workshops, and seminars in congregations of the ELCA.

GYO...Gustavus Youth Outreach will travel to Peace Lutheran Church in Cosomos, Minn., March 16-18. 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.

Retreats...St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth will be having an overnight retreat in the retreat center March 16-17. The Association of Congregations Retreat Center allows churches to bring a small group of adults to campus to focus on a weekend of education and reflection. St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wyoming, Minn., will hold a confirmation retreat on campus March 16-18.

Exploring Religious Questions Series...This series will hold one more session on Monday, March 19 when Darrell Jodock presents 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.

Plugs

For Sale...Historic family home located on North Minnesota Avenue in Saint Peter. Three bedrooms (large master bedroom), 2 1/2 baths, partially finished attic, spacious entrance foyer, formal living room/dining room area, kitchen/prep space, hardwood floor, finished basement with knotty pine paneling featuring hot tub room, unattached two-car garage. Call 507-931-3051.

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

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