TUESDAY 12/4/12

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 • ©2012

To submit an item for the Tuesday click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

From President and Mrs. Torgerson

Judy and I thank the campus for a marvelous "Christmas at Luther." If Twin Cities Public Television had filmed all the planning and activity leading up to the weekend, it would be a very long documentary. To all who contributed so much time and talent, thank you. We are immensely proud of this place and the spirit of community that shines through on weekends like this.

Best wishes and good health to all as we head into the final 10 days of the semester.

–Rick and Judy Torgerson

Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities announced

I am pleased to announce Jon Jensen has been appointed to a three-year term as Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities. Much has been achieved to advance Luther's goals for sustainability. Jon has played a central and important role in those achievements. It is our intention to launch the Center during the spring term 2013. Please join me in congratulating Jon on this appointment.

–President Torgerson

December staff gathering

This month's staff meeting is a Christmas party. Join the fun Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 9 a.m., in Peace Dining Room. All are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. Monetary gifts will be donated to the Free Clinic.

Luther College Christmas Party

This year, e-invitations were sent for the faculty and staff Christmas party. President and Mrs. Torgerson hope you and your spouse/guest will join the festivities from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, Dahl Centennial Union cafeteria. Staff are free to leave work at 4:30 p.m. to attend. Check your email, invites were sent last week. Please respond on the online registration form or contact Linda Skoda, <skodalda> or 387-1001.

Faculty/staff Christmas Chorale

Singers still needed! Weston Noble will conduct a choral group that will perform at this year's faculty/staff Christmas party Dec. 13. Current and former faculty and staff and spouses/partners interested in singing are asked to come tonight Tuesday, Dec. 4, and Monday, Dec. 10, from 5-6 p.m., in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. For more information contact Linda Skoda, <skodalda> or 387-1001.

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

Diversity Center 10 percent sale Dec. 7

Come shop the display cases at the Diversity Center for holiday discounts on fair-trade items on Friday, Dec. 7.

Proceeds support International Student Programs at Luther and SERRV—a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.

Library books are due Dec. 8

Books checked out from the main stacks by faculty and staff on or before Sunday, Dec. 2, are due Dec. 8. Books checked out by faculty and staff may be renewed by emailing <library>. The new due date is May 10, the last day of classes for the spring semester. Books that have already been renewed three times (two years) will not be renewed again; rather, you will need to bring these books in physically to the circulation desk to have them checked in and then out again to "re-start the clock." You may "View your account" online at library.luther.edu. to see what you have checked out.

Tag your bicycle before Dec. 17

In an attempt to rid the campus of bikes abandoned in bike racks on campus we are asking members of the Luther community to tag bikes if they will be using their bike during the winter months.

Bike tags can be obtained from the Welcome Desk, Residence Hall Service Centers, Facilities, Security staff members, and near the exit of the Dining Hall.

All bikes without tags will be removed Dec. 17-18. Luther is not responsible for replacing locks or cables that need to be cut for removal of bikes. Contact Gary Brickman with questions, 387-1668. Thank you for your cooperation.

Enroll for 2013 Flex Benefits by Dec. 7 and Dec. 14

Friday, Dec. 7, is the last day employees may use the online tool to re-enroll for 2013 flexible spending accounts. To enroll online, visit https://www.myflexonline.com/Login/Welcome.aspx.

Friday, Dec. 14, is the last day paper enrollments may be submitted to Human Resources.

Open enrollment period for benefits

United Way update

To date, the Luther Community has contributed over $23,000 to the local United Way. There is still time to turn in United Way forms. Need a new form? Request one from Kelly Wedmann, <Kelly.wedmann> or 387-1066. Thank you again for your generous support.

EVENTS

Events this week

Dec. 5, Christmas in the Union, 4:30 p.m., Dahl Centennial Union

Dec. 9, Candlelight Nativity Service, 9:30 p.m., CFL Main Hall

Chapel this week

Wednesday, Dec. 5: Mike Blair

Friday, Dec. 7: Kwanzaa Chapel, Gospel Choir

College Ministries wishes all safe travel and a joyful and blessed Christmas and New Year. Chapel will resume on Friday, Jan. 4, and Sunday worship will resume Jan. 6.

'Twelfth Night' performance Dec. 4

Luther's Shakespeare Performed class will present a one-hour version of "Twelfth Night," widely considered one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies.

Performances will be held in Studio II of the college's Center for the Arts at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.

The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Sustainability Forum Dec. 4

Do you have suggestions, ideas or questions about sustainability on campus? Join President Torgerson, professors, staff and students for dialogue, questions, suggestions and new information about sustainability projects and initiatives on Luther's campus. Professors Eric Baack, Jim Martin-Schramm, Craig Mosher, and Energy and Waste Steward Erika Kambs will be speaking on sustainability and fielding questions as panelists at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 in the CRH. Refreshments will follow the forum.

Christmas in the Union Dec. 5

Santa will make an early stop in Decorah as Luther celebrates "Christmas in the Union" 4:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5, in the lobby of the Dahl Centennial Union. The family-oriented event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Activities include cookie decorating, crafts, a holiday movie and music. There will be the opportunity for pictures with Santa by the fireplace in the Union lobby from 5-6:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and cider will be served. The Book Shop will also be open until 6:30 p.m, offering store wide discounts, movies and popcorn.

Book Shop Christmas contests Dec. 5

Vote for your favorite "Ugly Christmas Sweater" from a student and your favorite "Ugly Christmas Decoration" from faculty/staff on Wednesday until 4:30 p.m. in the Book Shop. Winner of the decoration contest will be announced at 5:05 p.m. and a fashion show and judging of the sweaters will take place at 5:45 p.m. 

Holiday Dinner Dec. 5

A holiday dinner of turkey, ham and all the fixings will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 5-7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria. Adults, $8.75; kids 5-10, $4.45 and no charge for kids 5 and under.

Fall Science Research Symposium Dec. 6

The research symposium is 9:40 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Sampson-Hoffland Atrium and Valders Concourse. This is a single unified event highlighting undergraduate student research in the sciences at Luther College. The symposium will include more than 60 poster presentations by students from classes in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics including directed research student projects. All members of the Luther community (especially our friends in the humanities and social sciences) are invited to come and see what is going on in the sciences.

Kwanzaa Celebration Dec. 7-8

Join the community as we mark the festival of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage, with a special Kwanzaa Chapel on Friday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m., in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall, and a dinner and program on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m., in Peace Dining Room. Tickets for the dinner are $5 for students with CAF plans/$10 for others and can be purchased at the Luther College Box Office until Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Campus Conversation Series Dec. 7

Spotlight on Sex and Gender: A Campus Conversation Series: "Myths and Realities" will be held 12-5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, in various locations. The WGST Program and the LC Fems are collaborating to share myths and realities on sex and gender. On that day, LC Fems will distribute flyers across campus with said information.

Development office reception honoring retirees Dec. 11

The Development Office is honoring more than 56 years of service to the college from three of our team who will retire at the end of 2012. Jim Anderson, Tom Murray and Dean Nelson '69 have been an integral part of the success of the college development efforts. We will host a public reception for them on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Hammarskjold Lounge. Please join us as we thank them for their many years of service to Luther and wish them well for retirement.

Hotdog Extravaganza! Dec. 14

We hope you're "All Shook Up" about the Hotdog Extravaganza! Elvis and his elves are looking forward to seeing you Friday, Dec. 14 in the Financial Aid Office. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., all will be provided but please bring your own beverage! Freewill donations will be collected and all proceeds will be given to Helping Services for Northeast Iowa. Visit their website, http://www.helpingservices.org, to see all of the services they provide to our community.

Shiva will be Farwell Distinguished Lector Feb. 26

Campus Programming is pleased to welcome Vandana Shiva who will give this spring’s Farwell Distinguished Lecture—"Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace"—at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the CFL Main Hall. Shiva is one of the world’s most respected environmental activists and feminists, advocating for a just and sustainable future through nonviolence, inclusion and sharing of resources. All are also invited to join Shiva for a conversation in the CRH at 2:30 p.m.

Paul Farmer to address Nobel Peace Prize Forum March 8-10

This year's Nobel Peace Prize Forum will be held in Minneapolis March 8-10. Last year the event sold out, so register early. Luther will charter a bus to take people up and back for the Saturday, March 9 program focused on the relationship of health and science to global security. It will include a keynote address by Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners in Health, along with break-out sessions and workshops with thought leaders and scientists who are reshaping our world. Register at http://nobelpeaceprizeforum.org ($10 for students; $40 for all others). To ride the Luther bus (no charge), reserve a seat by contacting Karen Martin-Schramm, <kms>. The bus will leave at 6 a.m. and return at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.

Community

New Hires

James Schell began his position as floor crew custodian on Nov. 21. His office is the custodial office and his phone number is 387-1145.

Chantel Olufsen '07 will join the development team as a Reunion Giving Officer starting Jan. 2. Also starting Jan. 2 is Jeff Leschensky, '90 and joining him on Jan. 8 will be Nathan Ersig '98—both Jeff and Nathan will serve as Gift Planning Officers. The Development team is pleased with these new additions to our team, and we are eager to welcome them to campus. These three new colleagues fill the open positions resulting from the retirements announced earlier.

Nathan Porath '05 joined LIS as a programmer analyst on the software development team Nov. 27. He will be working on reporting and colleague system support. His office is Main 12B and phone number is 387-1520.

Thank you from the Borashu Shoe Project

Those of us with the Borashu Shoe Project would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who was able to contribute to our project. With the support of friends, staff, faculty and students we were able to collect an unprecedented 259 pounds of recycled shoes to send to students in Swaziland. With the help of one generous donor, we will even be able to begin shipping the shoes much earlier than expected. It is thanks to the tireless efforts of everyone involved that we were able to exceed all our goals, and are truly grateful.

Sympathy

Marv Slind gave a presentation to the Decorah chapter of Nordmanns Forbundet/Norwegians Worldwide regarding "Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen: The Race to the South Pole."

Diane Scholl's Christmas poem, set in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, appears in the Dec. 12 issue of "The Christian Century."

Brooke Joyce's work for bass clarinet and percussion, "like rain upon the moon," was recently performed by Zeitgeist, a new music ensemble based in St. Paul. A new work for organ solo, "Meditation on Penrose," was commissioned and premiered by Nancy Houston at First Congregational Church in Charles City, Iowa.

The Luther College Piano Quartet, composed of faculty members Tarn Travers, Spencer Martin, Eric Kutz and Miko Kominami, played a concert at First Presbyterian Church in Rochester on Nov. 18.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

LIS Tip of the Week

iPads are now available for student checkout at the library circulation desk. Curious to see what the hype is all about? Come give one a try. Checkout is for four hours, and the iPad must stay in the library. For more information, visit lis.luther.edu/tips.

Tuesday, what should we cook for dinner?

Don't know what to cook for dinner tonight? Look to the Tuesday for recipe ideas and a quick instructional video made by our very own, Deb Aske. 
Our first recipe is Mom's Scalloped Potatoes and Ham: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQq2ce4k564

Please take a quick survey for us after you look at or use this recipe. 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGp6eFZUTkppZ0VVNXJfdFlZdUJUNkE6MQ 
Thank you so much, and we hope you enjoy!

Preus Picks: Recommended reads from the friendly folks in LIS

"Whole Earth Discipline: an Ecopragmatist Manifesto" by Stewart Brand (New York: Viking, 2009)

Brand, creator of the Whole Earth Catalog ,takes a fresh look at the threat of global warming and our options for the future. He uses recent scientific studies to challenge many of the sacred cows of the movement he helped create; genetic engineering of food, etc. Easy to read, thought-provoking and hopeful. Recommended by John Goodin, technical services librarian.

Check out the book display at Research Help and join the conversation online www.facebook.com/PreusLibrary

And finally…

As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.

-Donald E. Westlake, crime fiction writer