TUESDAY 3/8/11

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you from the president

What a weekend. I am so glad the last Peace Prize Forum to be held on one of the five college campuses was held at Luther because we pulled it off so well. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make sure every detail was handled, and thanks to students who housed visiting students in their rooms. It was truly a campus-wide effort and we should all take great pride in its success. 

-President Torgerson

March staff meeting

The March staff meeting will focus on "Avoiding Identity Theft" with presenter David Smutzler from the Decorah Police Department. We will also hear about the Sesquicentennial "Luther Neighbors" Habitat for Humanity service project. The meeting will be offered twice in Peace Dining Room:  Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, March 17 at 9 a.m. All are encouraged to come.

Important Tuesday reminder

The deadline to submit Tuesday items is 3 p.m. Friday. We cannot guarantee that items sent after the deadline Friday will make it into the Tuesday.

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

Staff Excellence Award nominations

Staff and faculty are invited to nominate a Luther staff member for this year's Staff Excellence Awards. Deadline for nominations, Friday, April 15, is earlier than normal so that the recipients can be announced at the Sesquicentennial Faculty/Staff picnic on Wednesday, May 25. Instructions for nominations are found at https://www2.luther.edu/hr/award/. If you nominated someone last year and want to resubmit that nomination, contact Roy Prigge, <priggero> or 387-1189.

Campus Conduct Hotline

The Campus Conduct Hotline©system is available for use around the clock, seven days a week. Because the Hotline is operated by an independent organization, any calls made through this Hotline are completely confidential. See HR website for detailed information: https://www2.luther.edu/hr/campusconducthotline/.

Health Care Council executive summary

Feb. 14: Quarterly reports for the period ending Dec. 31 were reviewed. There was a slight increase in claims compared to the previous year. The pharmacy report indicated little savings for mail order prescriptions. It was noted that the local pharmacies are doing a good job of keeping costs down. Discussion continued on the current appeals process. Review of office visit costs continued.

2010 flexible spending deadline

Flexible spending account dollars deducted from employee paychecks during 2010 may be used for eligible expenses through March 15, 2011. Claims for these dollars must be submitted to Midwest Group Benefits by March 31, 2011. Claim forms are available in Human Resources and on the HR website at https://www2.luther.edu/hr/commonforms/. Select Flexible Benefit Claim Form. Complete form electronically. Print it and mail to Midwest Group Benefits, PO Box 408, Decorah, IA 52101 or fax to 382-9613. 

Upcoming faculty development training

Learn more about using the Round Table Room for coursework and student activities Tuesday, March 15, 3-4 p.m. in Olin 301/Round Table Room. Rob Larson and Ann Mansfield will talk about how the RTR has been used in classes at Luther and briefly demonstrate the software. Sign up at http://lis.luther.edu/node/5364.

Policies and procedures

Policies and procedures for faculty and staff operations/ areas are accessible on Luther’s website under "Essential Resources and Information for Faculty and Staff." The documents were previously available on the "luther_common on Administration Storage Server." Additional policies will be added as they are completed. 

Blood screening available

Health Service has blood screening dates available March 24, April 21 and May 5. The May 5 date will be used only if the first two dates are full. Call Health Service, 387-1045 to schedule an appointment. This is an uneven year; no reimbursements are made.

Sustainability seeks immersion leaders

The Sustainability Office is looking for group leaders for the 2011 first-year immersion trips the week before Move-In Day.  There are six different trip options, and each faculty/staff leader will be assisted by a student leader.  If you enjoy interacting with students and spending time in nature, look for the link under “What’s Currently Happening” at www2.luther.edu/sustainability/ for more information.

Save the date: May 25

Luther College Family Fun Fest for faculty, staff and their families will be Wednesday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. More details to come.

Book Shop summer/fall requisitions

The Book Shop reminds faculty that Friday, March 18 is the due date for Summer 2011 and Fall 2011 requisitions. View the course list from Fall 2010 on the Book Shop website if you need that reference. Get your order in by March 18 to be entered into the drawing for a Book Shop Gift Card.

Explanation of brochures from HR

Employees covered by The Hartford, Luther’s life and disability insurance provider, received an inter-campus envelope with three brochures: Employee Assistance Program, Funeral Planning and Travel Assistance. There is a wallet-sized card on the back of the travel assistance brochure. The policy # for this program is GLT696936.  Write this number on the card and place in a wallet or purse.

KATIE workshop

On Thursday, March 3, Rebecca Sullivan will lead two sessions in Preus Library's Hovde Lounge. The first session, "Posting Course Materials and Activities," is at 9:30 a.m., and "Venturing into the Gradebook" begins at 10 a.m. Bring questions to this informal workshop for new KATIE users. See http://lis.luther.edu/node/5367 for more information.

LIS software requests

Submit any requests for new or upgraded software to LIS by the end of April to http://lis.luther.edu/services/software-requests. Requests made at this time will be considered for installation on classroom and lab computers over the summer.

EVENTS

Chapel this week

Tuesday, March 8: Tuesday Devos, 9:40 a.m., CRH
Wednesday, March 9: David Vásquez (Reminder: Ecumenical Ash Wednesday service, 7 p.m., CFL Main Hall)
Thursday, March 10: Lenten Morning Prayer, CRH, Music 236 course, "Music, Worship and Culture"
Friday, March 11: Rachel Barclay, senior chapel
Monday, March 14: Mike Blair

Events this week

March 8, Center for Ethics and Public Life Lecture, Jeffrey Shulman, "Who Owns the Soul of the Child?  Religions Parenting Rights and the Enfranchisement of the Child," 7 p.m., Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall

March 9, Ash Wednesday Service, 7 p.m., CFL Main Hall

March 10, Faculty Artist Series, Miko Kominami, piano, 7 p.m., Noble Recital Hall

March 10-12, Theatre Department Performance, "100 Saints You Should Know," 7:30 p.m. on March 10, 9:30 p.m. on March 11, and 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on March 12, CFA Jewel Theatre

March 11, Center Stage Series, Cantus, "Before Us," 7:30 p.m., CFL Main Hall

March 12, SAC Spotlight Performance, Augustine, 9 p.m., Marty's CyberCafé

March 13, Faculty Artist Series, Gregory Peterson and Richard Tirk, organ and trumpet, 2 p.m., CFL Main Hall

March 14, Art Song Jamboree, 5:15 p.m., CFL Recital Hall

March 15, Distinguished Lecture, Anna Deavere Smith, theatrical lecture, 7 p.m., CFL Main Hall

Community mapping forum-date change

The Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative invites the Luther community to a community mapping forum. Bring your great ideas and questions to help support an active community. Discussion about the walkable and bikable future of Decorah will be Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. at Decorah's City Hall.

Jeffrey Shulman guest lecture March 8

Jeffrey Shulman, associate professor of legal research and writing at Georgetown Law, will present the lecture "Who Owns the Soul of the Child?: Religious Parenting Rights and the Enfranchisement of the Child" Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Center for Faith and Life. 

Ash Wednesday service March 9

The community is invited to an ecumenical Ash Wednesday service Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the CFL Main Hall. Hosted by Luther and St. Benedict's Parish. Begin the Lenten season with the imposition of ashes and sharing Holy Communion.

The disciplines of Lent include prayer, fasting and charity. An Ash Wednesday offering collection will benefit the Decorah Free Clinic and the Ethiopian Irrigation Project supported by Luther students through I-impact Now.

'100 Saints You Should Know'

The theatre/dance department will present four performances of "100 Saints You Should Know," a recent play by Kate Fodor, March 10-12 in Jewel Theatre.

Performances are Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 11 at 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 12 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $10, available at the Box Office, 387-1357.

Faculty Artist Series: Kominami

Miko Kominami will perform a faculty artist series piano recital Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in Noble Recital Hall. The program is open to the public with no charge for admission. Kominami's program includes "Deep Color" by Henry Cowell, Sonata, Op. 31 No. 2 "Tempest" by Beethoven and the Piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 87 by Antonin Dvorak.

CSS: Cantus March 11

Cantus, a premier all-male a cappella ensemble, will perform Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the CFL Main Hall as part of Luther's 2010-11 Center Stage Series. Tickets are $22, $20 for seniors age 65 and over and $15 for youth ages 4-18, available at the Box Office.

Q&A with Cantus March 11

The Center Stage Series is hosting a Q&A session with Cantus, an all-male a cappella ensemble, for Luther students and the community Friday, March 11 at 4 p.m. in the Jenson-Noble Choir Room. Luther alum Eric (Hopkins) Ellingsen is a Cantus member and an incredible resource for anybody interested in choral music, performing and more. Get your ticket to the Cantus performance the same evening at 7:30 p.m.

Center Stage Dinner Series March 11

Luther Catering will serve dinner before the Center Stage performance of Cantus Friday, March 11. Service, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Peace Dining Room includes: bruschetta with a tomato-olive tapenade, apricot chicken pinwheels with confetti hash brown potatoes and chef’s choice vegetable, artisan rolls/butter, tuxedo petit fours. Call the Box Office for tickets, 387-1357. More information about the dinner series is available at: http://www2.luther.edu/programming/centerstage/dinnerseries/.

Augustine performs March 12

Electro-acoustic indie duo Augustine will perform Saturday, March 12 at 9 p.m. in Marty's CyberCafé. Tickets are $9, available at the door or at the Luther Box Office. Augustine is named for the oldest town in the United States, St. Augustine, Fla., where the duo, Louis Johnson and Jordan Meredith, met in 2009. Both sing and play guitar.

Empty Bowls March 13

Four student organizations will join together in March to collaborate in the fight against hunger. The sixth annual Empty Bowls project will be held Sunday, March 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. Empty Bowls supporters are invited to come March 13 and choose a bowl to keep. In exchange for a meal and the bowl, each Empty Bowls diner is asked to give a donation of $20. Donations to the project will be divided among five local food pantries.

'Art Song Jamboree' March 14

Jessica Paul will host the spring "Art Song Jamboree" performance Monday, March 14 at 5:15 p.m. in the CFL Recital Hall. The program will feature student performers: sopranos Erin Brown, MacKenzie Kloempken, Aliyah Richling and Laura Schultz; mezzo-sopranos Haley Gibbons and Kelley Kussmann; baritones Chad Sonka and Drew Wojcichowski; and bass baritones Alex Redding and Matthew Stump. Luther guest soprano Rachel Storlie '10, and Paul are also featured.

Luther College Woman's Club March 15

Deanna Hageman, CASA coordinator and program planner, will present the March program of the Luther College Woman's Club Tuesday, March 15, 1:45 p.m.  Hageman's presentation, "The Voice of Iowa's Children: Are You Listening?" is in Peace Dining Room. All women from Decorah and surrounding communities are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served following the program and brief business meeting. Childcare is available during the meetings. Call Amy Bruening, 382-8604 to arrange for this service.

'Journey to Us: Transforming Possibilities'

Celebrate 75 years of co-education at Luther with "Journey to Us: Transforming Possibilities" Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in the CFL Main Hall with Anna Deavere Smith. An actor, playwright, educator and social critic, Deavere Smith is hailed by "Newsweek" as "the most exciting individual in American theater." Drawing from more than 2,000 interviews across the country to create deeply moving solo performances, she will explore the importance of change, education and the possibilities open to us all.

'Conversation with Anna Deveare Smith'

Classes, students and the Luther community are invited to a "Conversation with Anna Deveare Smith" Tuesday, March 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the CRH. The event will be an intimate discussion with faculty members, Bob Larson and Lise Kildegaard that explores her process, soulful work and cultural commentary. Open to all, no cost. Experience her ground-breaking work online at: http://www.ted.com/speakers/anna_deavere_smith.html.

'Music in the Shape of a Pear'

Luther's semi-annual "Music in the Shape of a Pear" concert series, directed by Brooke Joyce, will continue in March with a concert titled "Etudes" Wednesday, March 16 at 8 p.m. in the NRH. The concert is open to the public with no charge for admission. The program includes works composed in the style of etudes, including a work by guest composer Stephen Paulus, and the premiere of a new interactive electronic piece by Steve Smith.

'An Enemy of the People' March 17

Commonweal Theatre will perform Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" Thursday, March 17, 7 p.m. in the CFL Main Hall. Paideia I students will attend the play as part of the spring term's focus on traditions and transformations in honor of Luther's Sesquicentennial. Balcony seating is open to the public, no charge for admission. Tickets available at the Box Office. The Paideia program thanks LFA and the Dean's office for helping fund the performance.

Vagts presents Paideia lecture March 29

Rachel Vagts will present the 2010-11 Paideia Texts and Issues Lecture Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in the CFL Recital Hall. The lecture, titled "The Transforming Journey: A Story of Service at Luther and Beyond," will explore the history of Luther and its strong commitment of service to the greater community. A reception will follow the lecture in Qualley Lounge.

Women, Faith and Finance Seminar

Luther is hosting the seventh annual "Women, Faith and Finance" seminar at Hotel Winneshiek Friday, April 1.  Women of all ages are invited to come and learn more about financial management, retirement and estate planning, and charitable giving.  Cost is $25—bring a friend, and each save $5.  First 75 women to register will receive the book "Enough."  To register on-line, go to http://www2.luther.edu/wff or email <lovellje> for more information.

'Church Basement Ladies' tickets on sale

The musical comedy "Church Basement Ladies: A Second Helping" will come to Luther Saturday, April 2, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. and an evening show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both performances are on sale at the Luther Box Office.

With their heartwarming humor and hilarious antics, the Church Basement Ladies takes us from serving the high school students at the Luther League Banquet to a church sponsored Missionary Night and the rise and fall of a Viking's Super Bowl Sunday.

Student recitals

Jaclyn Ohnemus '11, will perform a soprano recital Sunday, March 6 at 8:30 p.m. 

Alex Gisleson '11, will perform a baritone recital Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m.

Kara Schrapp '11, will perform a soprano recital Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m.

Mackenzie Kloempken '12, will perform a soprano recital Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

Student recitals are held in the NRH. A reception follows each performance. Both the recital and reception are open to the public with no charge for admission.

COMMUNITY

Sympathy

To Cindy Womeldorf, Nobel Peace Prize Forum registrar and former Campus Programming staff member, on the sudden death of her husband Dean, on Friday, March 4. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 10, from 4-7 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home. Cindy's address is 2369 Siewers Spring Rd., Decorah.

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS

Ryan Gjerde began a one-year term as president of the Iowa Library Association/Association of College and Research Libraries chapter in January 2011. Gjerde is also a member of the Iowa Library Association Editorial Committee.

Todd Green presented a paper titled "Mosques, Minarets, and the Islamic Challenge to European Identity" for a panel on religion and politics in the European Union at the European Union Studies Association Biennial Conference in Boston on March 3. Todd was the only American scholar on the panel.

"Alexander the Great" by Philip Freeman is no. 4 on the bestseller list at the Book of the Month Club. Read more at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philip-Freeman-Books/117436661605878.

Luther Mock Trial competes in Illinois

Luther Mock Trial will compete in the Opening Round Championship Series of the Collegiate Mock Trial Competition March 11-13 in Waukegan, Ill. Luther is one of 24 teams competing at Waukegan, one of eight national tournament sites taking place across the country.

Members of the Luther A team include, Abhra Biswas, Paul Esker, Caroline Feeney, Jorie Jackson, Laurie Medford, and co-captains Sydney Bean and Kelly Dotseth.  Faculty advisor is Michael Engelhardt.

SPORTS RESULTS/SCHEDULE

Men's basketball defeated no. 24 Concordia University, 68-61, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament March 4. Tyler Wedemeier '13 posted a double-double, with a game and career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. He also posted a career-high six blocks. John Androus '14 and Tim Merritt '12 both scored double-digits, 14 and 10 respectively. The Norse were defeated in the second round March 5 by defending national-champions no. 3 UW-Stevens Point, 56-76. Dane Larson '12, named Iowa Conference MVP earlier this week, had 17 points. Wedemeier scored 13.

Softball defeated Augsburg College March 5, 5-0 and 17-2 (in five innings). The Norse defeated Concordia-Moorhead March 6, 16-0 and 18-4. Both games were ended after five innings. Over the two days, Elisa Smith '13 went six for eight with three doubles, Lauran Snyder '12 went eight for 11 with one home run and two doubles, Lexy Determan '11 was 2-0 as a pitcher with 12 innings pitched and 21 strikeouts. As a team, the Norse had five home runs, two of those credited to Abby Christian '12.

MISCELLANEOUS

Student mental health

Last spring, 360 Luther sophomores and juniors completed the National College Health Assessment. One section of the survey addressed student mental health issues. To see how our students responded, find the NCHA-II link under News & Updates on the Counseling homepage: http://www2.luther.edu/counseling/.

New opportunity from Diversity Center

Meet Luther's roaming librarian to:
1. Discuss and share ideas about assignments.
2. Get the help you need in writing papers.
3. Get help in locating relevant resources and information for your research project.
4. Get help for an assignment you're working on.

No appointment needed; drop in Thursdays from 11 a.m.-noon in the Diversity Center's new Gathering Room located next to the SAC office.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

For sale: GE Potscrubber Dishwasher. Eight years old, was replaced for different color. Excellent condition. For information call Dave, 380-3939.

Found: Nice-quality silver hoop earring, on the sidewalk near the library and Brandt on Wednesday, March 2. Contact Andi Beckendorf at <beckenan> or 387-1227 to identify.

For sale: Cheaper than rent. Two-bedroom, executive condo for sale, 164 West Greene Street, Postville. Only $45,500. For more information, contact [email protected] or 568-3053.

For sale: 2003 Buick Regal, auto/AC/leather/CD, only 41,000 miles, in showroom condition.  $7,900. Contact Terry or Darrell at 382-5582 or [email protected].

For sale: Beautiful three-four bedroom family home in Minowa Heights. The home features two bathrooms, large living room, cozy family room with fireplace and built-in oak bookshelves, and a fully finished rec/multi-purpose room. Many updates throughout. Visit http://tinyurl.com/1303panorama for more information and pictures. Sellers are motivated.  Call 379-1740 to schedule a showing.

Wanted: Place to live during June and July 2011. Two responsible class of 2012 women looking for a place to live this summer. Would mow lawn, maintain garden and keep up with general maintenance as needed. Please contact Emily, <cochem01> or (612) 597-3382.

For sale: Wurlitzer Spinet piano in excellent condition. Medium oak. Asking $600. Contact <kriebr01> or 387-1072.

For sale: 2007 Dell Dimension 521 desktop PC with 1 GB Ram, 222 GB hard drive, DVD/RW drive, 15-inch LED monitor, Windows Vista and MS Office: Student and Teacher Edition, 2003 which includes Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, Outlook and Publisher. $225. Contact <marschja>.

For sale: 2004 Orion 27" flat screen tube television with RCA programmable remote:  $50.  Contact <marschja>.

For rent/sale: Very nice two-story, four-bedroom, two-bath home with a large lot for rent, rent-to-own, or purchase. Contact 419-6930 after 5 p.m. for more information.

Free dog: Sweet, Friendly Beagle/Basset Hound needs a good home. Loves kids, is very gentle, rarely barks. Four-years-old. Healthy, all shots up to date. Contact Debi, <schade01> or 379-7904.

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/leave message for Jason, 419-2555, to set up a time to see the house or ask for photos.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Sustainability tip

This message is from the Lazy Environmentalist: We get a lot of letters from people who tell us that one of their major concerns is recycling.  They want to recycle, but it's not readily available to do so.

Here are two programs that encourage recycling, and here's the really cool part:

1. TerraCycle: These guys will pay you, or the organization of your choice, for your reycling: http://www.terracycle.net/ 

2. Preserve: These guys will help you recycle the really tough stuff that you can't really throw into the recycling anywhere (meaning those pesky #5 plastic containers): http://www.preserveproducts.com/gimme5/

And finally…

Next Tuesday, March 15 is National Incredible Kid Day. Campfire USA created this day to show kids they are loved and cared for. They suggest you write a letter to your kid (or a niece, nephew, granddaughter/son, goddaughter/son) letting them know how incredible they are. How many letters can you write in a week?

I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring. 

-Liz Armbruster

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.

-Angela Schwindt