The Summer Scoop for June 20, 2019
Volume 50, Number 1
President Cabinet Summary
1. President Bergman reviewed the results of the Moody's conversation and expressed her appreciation to the Cabinet for their assistance in preparation for and participation in the phone call with Moody's representatives. Moody's affirmed Gustavus' A3 rating with a negative outlook.
2. Director of Parent and Alumni Engagement Angela Erickson was present to share the proposed vision statement of the Alumni Association Board. Members made minor suggestions and expressed their thanks to the Alumni Association Board for their excellent work.
3. Members reviewed the agenda for the New Trustee Orientation, to be held in conjunction with the May 16-17 Board meeting.
4. Discussion was held regarding the agenda for the May 23 all-employee meeting. Topics will include progress on 2018-2019 institutional goals, a financial update, and Gallup employee engagement results.
5. Members heard an update of the Lund Center renovation and expansion project. Fundraising is underway for the $60 million project.
6. President Bergman updated members on the office transitions slated for the Campus Center this summer. The Career Development Center will move to the Residential Life and Dean of Students Office areas, the Residential Life Office will move to the Career Development Center, and the Dean of Students will move to the Board Room.
7. Members approved the hiring of a new donor-funded two-year Athletics position (graduate assistant football coach).
8. Members approved the hiring of a replacement Athletics position (assistant athletic trainer).
9. Members endorsed changing the name of the Community-based Service Learning Office to Community Engagement Center.
2. All-employee meetings were scheduled for FY 2020: Wednesday, August 28 at 3 p.m., Thursday, February 20 at 10:30 a.m., and Thursday, May 21 at 2:30 p.m.
3. Provost Kelly shared a technology update, including information regarding a vulnerability assessment, duo two-factor for students, and WebAdvisor.
4. Provost Kelly shared the 2019-2020 organizational chart for the Provost's Office.
5. Discussion was held regarding Campus Center meeting room space, specifically the Konferensrum room layout and furniture. The Campus Center committee will discuss options.
6. Provost Kelly shared with members a five-year grants data report as of May 9, 2019.
June 4, 2019 Cabinet Meeting Summary:
1. Director of the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Jim Dontje was present to review the four initiatives of the President's Council for Environmental Sustainability. The Cabinet endorsed the four initiatives and encouraged moving forward quickly with implementation.
2. Representatives from the BD&E consulting firm were present to discuss "building a case" for the campaign and the production of marketing materials for the same.
3. Members approved the hiring of two replacement Advancement positions (Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement and Assistant Director of the Gustavus Fund.)
4. Members approved the hiring of a part-time replacement Student Life Position (Substance Use Educator).
5. Members approved the hiring of a part-time replacement Academic Affairs position (Administrative Assistant in Music).
6. Members approved the hiring of a replacement Athletics position (Head Track and Field Coach).
7. Members approved the hiring of two new Dining Service positions (STEAMery Supervisors).
8. Members approved the hiring of a new part-time Academic Affairs position (Administrative Assistant in Research and Sponsored Programs). This position will be evaluated in two years.
9. Vice President Tunheim will be meeting with all Cabinet members to review divisional Gallup results during the summer months. The Cabinet will then review Gallup results in more detail at its summer retreat in August.
June 11, 2019 Cabinet Meeting Summary:
1. Discussion was held regarding Commencement and Reunion Weekend. Members expressed appreciation to all colleagues who were involved in the planning and implementation of both events.
2. Discussion was held regarding areas of focus for the 2019-2020 priorities/initiatives and agenda items for the Cabinet retreat on August 20-21.
3. Members discussed a name change for Peer Education Chemical Health (PEACH) office. Vice President VanHecke will work with the leaders in the PEACH office to finalize a new name.
4. Vice President Tunheim presented an update on the compensation analysis project, including timing and next steps.
5. Vice President Tunheim announced that 2019-2020 salary letters to employees will be sent on July 1.
June 18, 2019 Cabinet Meeting Summary:
1. Plans for Gustie Gear-Up activities were discussed.
2. Vice President Kennedy shared a version of a Gustavus portfolio that will be presented to students who are on campus for Scholarship Day through the next fiscal year. Cabinet members were asked if they would like to order any portfolios for special opportunities in their respective divisions.
3. Discussion was held regarding developing an articulation agreement with one or more community colleges.
Faculty, Student & Staff News
Dan Zimmerli '16 (Technology Services) was featured in the Mankato Free Press for his community-supported agriculture program and work on his sustainable farm.
K. Angelique Dwyer (Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures & Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies) published two creative non-fiction stories written in Spanglish. The first is titled: "Gringos Mexicanos" and the second: "Doce horas: A Family Border Tale." Both are published through PORTAL: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies. Volume 16, Number 1/2. August 2019.
Anna Hulseberg and Michelle Twait (Library) gave an invited presentation on student research practices at ProQuest Information Solutions in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on June 12.
Charlie Potts '01 (Student Life) and Melissa Shugarman (Residential Life) served as faculty for the Regional Entry Level Institute from June 9-13 at the University of Northern Iowa. The institute is a four-day intensive developmental opportunity for newer professionals in the Upper Midwest Region of ACUHO-I, the national student housing organization. Abbey Lane (Residential Life) was one of 22 participants selected to attend.
Jeremy Robinson (Culpeper Language Learning Center) and students Ingrid Kubisa '21 and Reidun Kubisa '21 created "Mwami et Moi," a visual novel-based game teaching about village culture in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the game, players make choices as the Mwami, or leader/tradition keeper of the village, with the goal of leading the village to prosperity, and are introduced to Mashi, the local language. Due to a lack of games exploring African narratives, this may be the first one to look at this particular culture. Video and other pedagogical supports are being developed for use individually or in traditional classroom settings.
Annika Ericksen (Sociology and Anthropology) has an article accepted for publication in the journal Intercultural Education. The article draws from her experiences teaching cultural anthropology at Gustavus and is entitled "Practicing with peers: ethnographic interviews to inspire intercultural engagement at a small liberal arts college."
Madeline Harms (Psychological Science) published an article, "Adolescent Suicide Attempts and Ideation Are Linked to Brain Function during Peer Interactions," in Psychiatry Research. The article outlines a study that demonstrates that depressed adolescents with high suicidal ideation and adolescents who previously attempted suicide show unique patterns of brain activity during a virtual peer interaction compared to healthy adolescents and depressed adolescents without suicidal ideation
News & Announcements
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 3:00 p.m. in Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall
Thursday, February 20, 2020, 10:30 a.m. in Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall
Thursday, May 21, 2020, 2:30 p.m. in Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall
Linnaeus Symposium on Climate Change... You are invited to attend the Linnaeus Symposium from 1-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18 on the Gustavus campus. The theme is "The Changing Climate: How Will We Respond?" Spend the day learning about the changing climate in Minnesota. In addition to an opening overview of the science, speakers will address the issue through the lens of vegetation changes, public policy initiatives, and individual action. The day will conclude with a closing dinner and an optional walking tour of the Linnaeus Arboretum. For more information and to order tickets, visit gustavus.edu/events/linnaeus or call 507-933-7520.
Relay For Life of Nicollet County... The annual community event will be held on Friday, June 21 at St. Peter Community Center/Gorman Park. The fundraiser for the American Cancer Society includes programs, cancer education and services, food, games, and music. We support those currently facing cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember those who have lost their battle. Learn more online!
7 p.m. Friday Evening: Tell Me A Story – In addition to scheduled story tellers, you will be welcome to tell one, too, on a topic of your choice.
10 a.m. Saturday Morning: Jim Heynen, master short story writer, will offer a reading from his favorites. According to Bill Holm, Heynen “finds, like his old countrymen Thoreau and Mark Twain, the whole universe laid out before him in a barn.”
11:30 a.m. Saturday Morning: Lunch wherever you wish. Browse book exhibits.
1 p.m. Saturday Afternoon: Open mic featuring Gustavus writers Athena Kildegard, Rebecca Fremo, and Phil Bryant. You will be encouraged to read from your work, another writer’s work, or talk about a favorite book if you wish. You are welcome to bring your published work for the book fair.
3 p.m. Saturday Afternoon: Break and book exhibits.
3:30 p.m. Saturday Afternoon: More open mic readers.
For any questions or to sign up for presentation time and/or exhibit space, email Dave Solheim.
Call for Papers for the Association of Lutheran College Faculties (ALCF) Annual Meeting...The ALCF is now accepting proposals for their annual meeting. This year's conference theme is Remaking Ourselves: The Impact of Human Creativity on Humanity and the World. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
-Genetic engineering and other medical treatments
-Technology and its impact on the physical and social nature of humans
-Climate change
-Literary explorations of manipulating humans and society, including science fiction
-Artificial Intelligence
-Artistic explorations of humans and their impact on the world
-Effects of technology on education and learning
-Ethical responsibilities as found in religious and philosophical traditions
-Information literacy and our biased news world
-Food and the systems that provide it
To submit a proposal, or for more information, please visit the ALCF website. Proposals are due by August 1, 2019.
I CAN Prevent Diabetes!... Individuals and Communities Acting Now to Prevent Diabetes is a series of sessions led by Jen Donkin, RD, CDE and Nicole Boelter, MS. Sessions are held on Wednesdays, starting August 28 at 6 p.m. at the Helen White conference center (River's Edge Campus). The program costs $75 (with incentives offered for regular participation). Call Jen at 934-7694 to register. Trained life style coaches will help you learn how to create a healthier lifestyle and prevent diabetes in this diabetes prevention program. Classes are held weekly for 16 weeks and then monthly for 8 months.
Saint Peter Weekly Newsletter...As we continue to find ways to strengthen our partnership with the City of Saint Peter we would like to share this link to their weekly newsletter. Be sure to read it for the latest information about the greater Saint Peter community.
Position Openings
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (Russian)
- Advancement Services Specialist
- Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement
- Assistant Director of the Gustavus Fund
- Campaign Communications Manager
- Graduate Assistant Women's Soccer Coach
- Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach
- Building Services Manager
- Custodian (Full-time, Nights)
- Custodian (Full-time)
- Assistant Director of Campus Safety, Patrol Operations and Investigations
- Campus Safety Officer (On-Call)
- Executive Director of Career Development
- STEAMery Supervisor
- User Services Technical Coordinator
- Administrative Assistant (Music)
- Substance Use Educator
- Administrative Assistant (Research and Sponsored Programs)
For more information on the aforementioned position(s), call Human Resources (x7304). An Employee Referral proram is now being offered at Gustavus. Check out this linkfor details about the program.
Obituaries
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Professor emeritus Stephen Hilding '58 died on Friday, May 31 at the age of 82. Dr. Hilding's funeral was held in Christ Chapel on Thursday, June 6. A full obituary is available online.
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Jerry Rocker, stepfather of Carly Overfelt (Multilingual and Intercultural Program Coordinator in International and Cultural Education), passed away on June 8, 2019. A full obituary is available online.
Plugs
Home for sale by owner...1005 Wettergren Street, Saint Peter. 2200 sq ft; four bedrooms, two bathrooms; three levels plus a small basement; large lot. $215,000. These things have all been replaced and are new since the fall of 2017: Furnace, Water Heater, Washer, Dishwasher, Stove. Contact Denise Salisbury at 507-317-4496.
Minneapolis Condo for Sale...Minneapolis/Linden Hills condo for sale, on market the first week of August. Two blocks from Lake Harriet and steps from restaurants and coffee shops. Rare three-bed, 1.5-bath with underground parking space and free wifi, basic cable, and laundry. New paint and flooring in living areas, fridge and dishwasher less than a year old, microwave/convection oven rarely used. No smoking, pet-friendly building. Priced at $250,000. To be put on an advanced-viewing list, email sash@gustavus.edu.
"Plugs" is maintained as a forum by which members of the Gustavus community may offer goods and 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 and 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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To add or change items on the calendar, please fill out and submit a College Calendar event form. View the entire College Calendar online.
The Summer Scoop is published for the Gustavus Adolphus College community by the Office of Marketing and Communication. It is published monthly during the summer. Anyone may include items by submitting them by 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday before publication. Submissions may include news announcements, upcoming events, building or office hours, plugs (advertisements like for sale or rent items) or off-campus events. Please save items about faculty/staff activities (professional accomplishments or presentations) or honors for Inside Gustavus, which is published weekly during the academic year. For more information, call x7520.