TUESDAY 1/11/11

Published for faculty and staff by the Luther College Public Information office • Copy deadline: Friday, 3 p.m., 75-word limit • Phone: (563) 387-1865 • Email: <tuesday>

Note: All campus telephone numbers are in the 563 area code, all campus email addresses end in @luther.edu • ©2011

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

Memorial information for Nabby

Memorial donations for Nabby Baffour-Awuah will be sent to Nabby's family to assist with travel costs and other expenses. Please send any donations to College Ministries, payable to Luther College Congregation with a note or indication on the memo line, "Nabby's Memorial." College Ministries will forward donations to Nabby's family on behalf of the Luther community. 

2011 red appointment books

Due to increasing printing costs and significant use of electronic calendars, the Augsburg Fortress appointment books were not provided to Luther this year.

Norse Mail supports email delegation

Norse mail supports email delegation which would, for example, allow someone to give their administrative assistant the ability to view messages in their Norse Mail Inbox and respond on their behalf. For more, see http://lis.luther.edu/learn/norsemailfaq#Q33.

Flexible Spending Account reminder

The 2010 prescription debit cards expired Dec. 31. 2011 prescription debit cards are being mailed to employees that checked the enrollment form request.  Employees may request a 2011 prescription debit card any time during the year. Call Human Resources, 387-1134 with questions.

IRS guidelines for debit cards

The Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance allowing the continued use of health flexible spending arrangement and health reimbursement arrangement debit cards for the purchase of prescribed over-the-counter medicines and drugs.

Starting Jan. 16, you may continue to use an FSA or HRA debit card to purchase over-the-counter medicines or drugs, so long as you obtain a prescription for the medicine or drug, the prescription is presented to the pharmacist, and the medication is dispensed by the pharmacist and given an Rx number.

Contact Midwest Group Benefits, Inc. at 800-344-3766 or [email protected] with questions.

Employee withholding changes for 2011

The employee share of FICA withholding has been reduced by 2 percent, from 6.2 to 4.2 percent. The Medicare withholding remains the same at 1.45 percent. The employer-matching share remains the same at 6.2 percent and 1.45 percent respectively. Complete information can be found at irs.gov in Notice 1036.

In addition, Federal withholding tax tables have changed for 2011. Call the payroll office, 387-1135, if you would like to review your withholding information. 

EVENTS

Chapel this week

Tuesday, Jan. 11: Silent Meditation, 5 p.m., Melanchthon, CFL 205
Wednesday, Jan. 12: Bill Fordice, anniversary of Haiti's earthquake
Thursday, Jan. 13: Labyrinth, CFL Main Hall, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Friday, Jan. 14: LuAnn Meeker-Gast
Monday, Jan. 17: Lawrence Williams, professor emeritus, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Anniversary of Haiti earthquake chapel

Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the Recital Hall in the CFL will include an opportunity to light candles in remembrance of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, offer prayers for those whose lives continue to be shaped by its impact, and acknowledgement of our own community's grief at the deep loss of that day. 

An evening with Paul Zimmer

The Luther and Decorah communities are invited to a reading of poetry and prose by the award-winning writer and former director of University of Iowa Press, Paul Zimmer Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Readers sought for Paradise Lost

Want to make history? Sign up for the marathon reading of "Paradise Lost" Friday, Jan. 14, from 9:15 a.m. until about 8:30 p.m. in the Union Williams Lounge. This epic poem dramatizes the war between angels and rebels, Eve’s temptation by a sly-talking serpent, and the fall’s effects. Come join the J-term Milton class—to read and/or to listen. To sign up for a fifteen-minute time slot, access the google.doc and sign up online. Questions? Contact Judy Boese, 387-1153 or <boesejud>. 

Luther College Community Day

Alumni, parents and friends of the college are invited to attend Community Day Saturday, Jan. 15. The day's activities include men's and women's basketball games at 2p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, with a picnic between games from 3:30-5 p.m.

All events are open to the public with no fee for admission, although an RSVP is required before noon Friday, Jan. 14. For information, contact the Luther Alumni Office, 387-1861 or email <alumni>.

Daniel Lohrmann lecture Jan. 16

Daniel Lohrmann, author of "Virtual Integrity: Faithfully Navigating The Brave New Web," will present a lecture titled "Freedom and Responsibility: A Christian View on Cyber Ethics" Sunday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. in Valders 206. The Center for Ethics and Public Life and Paideia II are sponsoring his visit.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Lecture

Lawrence Williams, former Luther faculty member, will present the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Lecture at Luther Monday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Valders Hall of Science, Room 206. Part of the college’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Williams' lecture, titled "Another Look at Martin Luther King Jr." is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Luther College Woman's Club Jan. 18

Mary Hull Mohr, emerita professor of English, will present the first program of the year to the Luther College Woman's Club Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 1:45 p.m. Mohr's presentation is "The Beginnings of LCWC: A Chapter in Luther's Sesquicentennial Celebration." The group will also share a musical program presented by Spencer Martin, Associate Professor of Music, and Miko Kominami, Adjunct Faculty in Music. The LCWC meets in Peace Dining Room.

Brandt Open Mic Bar Jan. 22

Looking to beat the winter blues? Join us for "BOMB 2011: Tropical Paradise" Saturday, Jan. 22, 9 p.m.-midnight in Marty's CyberCafé. BOMB is a campus-wide event sponsored by Wellness and the Brandt RAs. There will be live performances, witty MCs and exotic mocktails. Want to share a talent? Register to perform by emailing [email protected] by Wednesday, Jan. 19. Acts must be under eight minutes. First prize is $250 Nordicash, second is $150 Nordicash and third is $75 Nordicash.

COMMUNITY

Sympathy

To Ede Rollins, director of catering, on the Jan. 5 death of her father-in-law, Marvin Rollins, 84, of Cresco, Iowa and Caledonia, Minn.

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS

Rick and Judy Torgerson recently attended the Council of Independent Colleges Presidents Institute.  President Torgerson moderated a session titled "What's the Engine Driving Your College? Analyzing Revenues and Costs" and Judy Torgerson co-led a session on "Raising Funds and Raising Friends," focusing on the role spouses frequently play in development efforts.

Philip Freeman's latest book "Alexander the Great" has been released by Simon & Shuster publishing company. Freeman's "Alexander the Great" is the first authoritative biography that tells the story of the life of the great conqueror. The book is now available in bookstores nationwide and at all popular book vendors.

SPORTS RESULTS/SCHEDULE

Wrestling dropped two at the NCAA III NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Jan. 8. The Norse lost to no. 1 seed Augsburg College, 0-45, and to Cornell College, 12-24.

Men's basketball defeated Buena Vista Jan. 8, 70-45. Tim Merritt '12 tallied a season-high 15 points. Leading scorer was Dane Larson '12 with 18.

Women's basketball lost to Buena Vista, 48-75.

Men's swimming and diving defeated Loras Jan. 8, 136-84. Sean Parvi '13 and Tim Cutler '13 posted two first place finishes each. Two Norse relay teams captured first place finishes as well, including swimmers: Cutler, Tanner O'Brien '13, Eric Hild '13, Michael Sinnwell '11, Zach Kuntz '14, Jon Hagen '14 and Dustin Ziminski '13.

Women's swimming and diving defeated Loras, 175-57. Erin Mykleby '12, Stephanie Drewes '12, Amelia Ladd '13 and Addison Choi '11 set a pool record in the 400 medley relay, 4:11.07, Rachel Bruns '12 set a pool record in the 100 freestyle, 53.61, and Mykleby, Choi, Bruns and Kari Kolsrud '11 set a pool record in the 400 freestyle relay, 3:39.37. Elise DesRoches '11 posted an NCAA III cut mark of 427.95 for 11 dives.

Home events this week:

Wrestling hosts Wartburg Jan. 14, 7 p.m.

Basketball hosts Simpson Jan. 15. Women's game begins at 2 p.m.; men's game begins at 4 p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS

Winter soccer skills clinic

The Luther soccer programs will host a three-day soccer skills clinic for youth age 7-14. Luther soccer coaches will run the clinics Sundays, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and 13, from 1-2:30 p.m. The first two sessions focus on improvement of players' technical skills. The final session is a 3v3 tournament incorporating all aspects of the game. The clinic will be held in Luther's SRC. Cost is $50. Register by Jan. 27. Contact is Chris Garcia-Prats, <garcch01> or 387-1443. Brochure and registration form downloadable at http://sports.luther.edu/men/soccer/index.html and http://sports.luther.edu/women/soccer/index.html.

Paper and personal care items drive

Luther's men's basketball is assisting Northeast Iowa RSVP in conducting a paper and personal care items drive. The campaign is launched in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision of making this country a better place to live. Drop off boxes are in the Regents Center south lobby, by the SPOs in the Union, in Main by the Paideia office, and in the service centers for towers, Brandt, Ylvisaker, Olson, Larsen and Farwell. Call Kathy with questions, 382-3717.

Luther College Nachhaltigkeitsstreben

Follow Ruth Kath, Craig Mosher and Maren Stumme-Diers as they travel with 18 Luther students through Germany, Denmark and Norway on a quest for sustainability (nachhaltigkeitsstreben). The group will visit the German Parliament to talk with a Green Party member, tour a nuclear power plant, visit an eco village and stay for two nights on a carbon neutral island. Follow the group's adventures at http://www2.luther.edu/sustainability/education/maren/.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

Free: Ameda "Purely Yours" breast pump—bought at a garage sale, never used. Contact <brooke.joyce>.

Free: Two working PCI cards for desktop PC.
1) PC60G wireless card, six months old, works great
2) Creative Soundblaster 24-bit audio card, five years old, works great.
Both have original packaging. Contact <brooke.joyce>.

For sale: Armstrong flute in case. $225 obo. Contact 387-1549 or <leibolbr>.

For sale: Charming one and 1/2-story home near campus. Hardwood floors, new shingles, lots of updates. Move-in condition and immediate possession. Call and ask for Kelly at (515) 468-8348 for more questions. It could be good income property.

For sale: Nordic Track Ski Exercise Machine. The machine is in good condition. Mechanically its in excellent condition. Selling for $100. Call 419-5681 to set up a time to come and see it if you are interested.

To give away: 27-inch Mitsubishi tube television. Free to good home. Asking that you make a $10 donation to a food pantry in Decorah. Call 419-5681.

Free: Christmas tree. Six-foot artificial pre-lit tree. Some of the lights don't work. Big, nice tree. First one to stop by and pick it up can have it. By the garage at 309 E. Water St., formerly Bookends and Beans.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Sustainability tip

Films will be showing at the Oneota Film Festival, Jan. 21-23, that pertain to the environment, social justice, adventure, eco travel and food/agriculture, including local and student films. Films will be shown in Valders 206, Olin 102 and the CFL Recital Hall. No charge for admission. For more information or to register, go to www.OneotaFilmFestival.org.

Wellness tip

Faltering on those New Year's weight loss resolutions already? Read on for help with achieving your goals.

The first step is to believe that you can do it and set your goals.

Write down why you really want to change and what you want to accomplish for yourself. Use short-term goals, weekly to monthly and long-term goals.

Visualize how you want to look and feel for at least one minute, several times throughout the day. Associate physical activity with your mental image. Don't worry about what you look like now. Reach beyond your current state and enhance yourself.

Put mini visual reminders in key spots around your home, work and car. Post motivational phrases like: "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." -Japanese Proverb

Full article at: http://www.freeformfitness.ca/blog/.

And finally…

From this moment forward…I stop the blame game and excuses. I am responsible for my life and for where I am today. I cannot blame the people and circumstances in my past, and I refuse to hide behind my past mistakes.

-Lance Wubbels