Inside Gustavus February 21, 2014 | Volume 46, Number 20

President's Cabinet Summary

The President's Cabinet met on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and discussed the following items:

• Members briefly discussed the April Board meeting schedule, including inviting Board members to attend classes Thursday morning, April 24, faculty tenure service during Daily Sabbath on Friday, April 25, and inviting newly tenured faculty members to the Board luncheon on Friday.
• Members approved the hiring of a full-time Dining Service replacement position (dishwasher).
• Discussion was held regarding the timeline for sharing instructions to budget officers for the FY 2015 operating budget. Further discussion will be held at the next Cabinet meeting.
• Vice President Westphal gave a preview of the Board’s Audit Committee meeting scheduled for February 19, including issues related to fraud and approval of the 990 and 990-T.
• Discussion was held regarding the importance of protecting minors when visiting the campus. Vice President Westphal will call a meeting of selected colleagues in Athletics, Summer Programs, Human Resources, Campus Safety, and other selected colleagues to raise awareness of the many minors on campus and to discuss the matter further.
• Vice President VanHecke asked for recommendations for administrators to serve as Conduct Board Chairs.

 

News & Announcements

Staff Reclassification Committee...The next meeting of the Staff Reclassification Committee will be held on Thursday, March 20, to evaluate requests for grade changes for support staff positions. In order to be considered at this meeting, a complete request for position review must be received in the Office of Human Resources by March 14.

Free Admission...Resulting from a partnership between Gustavus and the Nicollet County Historical Society, Gustavus employees and their families can receive free admission to Nicollet County Historical sites. Free admission applies to the Cox House and Traverse des Sioux Center in St. Peter, Harkin Store in New Ulm, Ft. Ridgely in Fairfax, and the W.W. Mayo House in LeSueur. Employees need to show their Gustavus ID to receive the free admission for themselves and their families. Go online for more information about the Nicollet County Historical Society sites.

Health Coaching...Elizabeth Bakalyar '07, who is currently studying health coaching at the University of Minnesota, is offering free and confidential health coaching to Gustavus employees through May 2. Health coaching is a collaborative process of proactive health planning that aligns with your vision and values. You may email Elizabeth (Bits) at ebakalya@gustavus.edu to learn more or set up a session.

Travel with Gustavus...Journey on an educational tour focused on Luther’s Reformation with prominent Lutheran scholar, Gustavus Professor Emeritus of Religion Rev. Dr. Darrell Jodock. Travel to Germany and Poland October 4-16, 2014, to learn about the life and teachings of Martin Luther, along with the ongoing significance of his theology. The trip is open to Gustavus alumni, parents, friends, employees, and non-Gusties. For more information go online or email Jodock at djodock@gustavus.edu.

Campus Happenings

John Noltner Visit...Photographer and storyteller, John Nolter will visit Gustavus on Feb. 24-25 to share his multimedia exhibit and speak in Christ Chapel about the project. Founded in 2009, A Peace of My Mind is a multimedia art project that fosters public dialogue about issues related to conflict resolution, civic responsibility, and peace. With engaging portraits and compelling personal stories, nearly 100 diverse subjects describe what peace means to them, how they work toward it in their lives, and some of the obstacles they encounter along the way.

The exhibit will include 53 panels, which will be on display in four different locations: Christ Chapel, Torrey Atrium in Beck Hall, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, and the C. Charles Jackson Campus Center. In addition, there will four events involving Noltner and the exhibit that will be open to the public and the campus community:

• Monday, Feb. 24 / 8 p.m. / “A Peace of My Mind Project” / Heritage Room, Campus Center
• Tuesday, Feb. 25 / 10 a.m. / Daily Sabbath Homily / Christ Chapel
• Tuesday, Feb. 25 / 11 a.m. / Reception, viewing, and discussion / Center for Servant Leadership
• Tuesday, Feb. 25 / 4 p.m. / “Bridging Difference With Story” / Diversity Center

Anderson Theatre Production of Hair...Tickets are now available online at gustavustickets.com or by calling 507-933-7590 for the Anderson Theatre production of Hair, Feb. 21-23 and March 1-2. Performances begin at 8 p.m. on Feb. 21-22, 28 and March 1; and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 23 and March 2. Gustavus students and staff are entitled to one free ticket for the production. Other tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and other students. Tickets not sold before the event will be placed on sale one hour prior to curtain at the Anderson Theatre box office. The American tribal love-rock musical is in the house! First produced in 1968, this iconoclastic anti-war musical is now a classic bursting with unforgettable songs. Since the ‘60’s, the Fifth Dimension crooned Aquarius, Three Dog Night rocked Easy to be Hard, and the Muppets did their own thing with Good Morning Starshine! Now, Gustavus students will bring their own idealism and energy to the stage in this fresh production. You’ll groove to the music, but you will also see that this show continues to have a lot to say about love, war, money, racism, and many other issues all too relevant today. Join us at the Be-In!

Climate Change Lecture...As a precursor to this year's Building Bridges Conference, Dr. Jason Smerdon, Professor at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, will present a talk titled, "Drip, Drip, Drip: Water, Climate Change, and Tales of Want and Excess in the 21st Century" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 in Olin 103.

Building Bridges Conference...Gustavus will host its 19th annual student-led Building Bridges Conference on Saturday, March 8. This year’s conference is titled “Disposable Communities? Demanding Environmental Justice,” and will feature keynote speakers Van Jones and Alexie Torres-Fleming. More information is available online.

Moe Lecture...Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian writer who burst onto the literary scene in 2003 with her debut novel Purple Hibiscus, will deliver the 2014 Moe Lecture in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at 7 p.m. Monday, March 10 in Alumni Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public, and will also be live streamed on the Gustavus website. More information is available online.

Daily Sabbath Schedule... All are invited to the worship services at 10 a.m. weekdays. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Feb. 24: Chad Winterfedlt, Music, Christ Chapel Organist
• Tuesday, Feb. 25: John Noltner, Visiting Artist
• Wednesday, Feb 26: Morning Praise
• Thursday, Feb. 27: Dani Cabrera, Student Senate Co-President, Re:vive Music Leadership
• Friday, Feb. 28: NaPal J-Term Class Particpants with Barb Zust

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Storytime Kit Open House…Did you know that you can checkout Storytime Kits from the Saint Peter Public Library? Each kit has several picture books, manipulatives, and family activity ideas all centered around a common theme. With over 35 themes to choose from, there is something for everyone! Stop by the open house from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 to see what they are all about! A different bag will be featured at the top and bottom of every hour.

Congregational Outreach

Pastor-2-Pastor...Pastors from southern Minnesota will be on campus for a 24-hour Sabbath retreat beginning Thursday, Feb. 20 at noon and ending on Friday, Feb. 21. The theme for the gathering will be "The Growth of World Christianity: Inspirations for Congregational Ministry." Speakers include Dr. Marcia Bunge, Rev. Brian Konkol, Bishop Steve Delzer, and Rev. Harvey Nelson. Pastor-2-Pastor is a program sponsored by Church Relations in the Center for Servant Leadership and the ELCA synods of southern Minnesota, with help from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and is open to pastors of the ELCA and our ecumenical partners. The purpose of the program is to help pastors partner for pastoral excellence, and it focuses on professional growth and mutual accountability for wellness.

Retreats...Church Relations in the Center for Servant Leadership will host a weekend confirmation retreat for Cross Lutheran Church of Maplewood from Thursday, Feb. 20 to Saturday, Feb. 22. We will also host an adult retreat for St. Barnabas Lutheran Church of Plymouth's staff from Friday, Feb. 21 to Saturday, Feb. 22. The retreat program is a service offered to ELCA congregations that are members of the Gustavus Association of Congregations.

Partners in Education...Dr. Lisa Heldke will present on how "The Unexamined Meal is Not Worth Eating" at 9:15 a.m.,Sunday, Feb. 23 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Circle Pines. Partners in Education is a programming resource coordinated by Church Relations in the Center for Servant Leadership, in which participating faculty and staff members prepare topical presentations for adult forums in congregations.

Exploring Religious Questions Series...The mini-course "Christian Faith and Economic Justice: Biblical Themes, Current Realities, and Ethical Choices" will continue from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24 in Olin 103. Casey Elledge (Religion) will give a presentation titled "In the Shadows of the Empire: Economic Justice and the Early Church." The mini-course is sponsored by Church Relations in the Center for Servant Leadership.



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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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