President Carlson's office hours

President Carlson invites Luther faculty and staff to stop by during her office hours in the President's Office, Dahl Centennial Union 236. No appointment is necessary.

Thursday, May 5, 10-11 a.m.
Monday, May 9, 3-4 p.m.
Thursday, May 19, 3-4 p.m.

Spring budget update May 12

Faculty and staff are invited to attend a budget update from 9:40-10:20 a.m. Thursday, May 12, in Valders 206. Eric Runestad will present information about the 2015-16 and 2016-17 budgets followed by a question-and-answer period. 

LFA funding for 2016-17

The Lectures and Fine Arts committee is now accepting applications for funding for events occurring in the 2016-17 academic year. The committee's first meeting is May 17. Applications received before May 17 will considered at that meeting; applicants will be notified of the status of their application before summer. The LFA Request for Funds application is available online. Please read the opening information, as some important details have changed.

Volunteers needed for Cafeteria to Community program

The Cafeteria to Community program needs volunteers for the summer to pack excess food from the Caf for delivery to the First Lutheran Church food pantry. Shifts will be at 1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the summer. Learn more and sign up on the Cafeteria to Community website.

Hazardous materials pick-up

Environmental Services will conduct a campus hazardous materials pick-up in the near future. Contact Ivan, 387-1668 or <hackiv01>, by May 12 with requests for hazardous material pick-up.

Pick up a copy of the 2016 summer reading

From the 2016 summer reading, "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves," by Karen Joy Fowler:  

"It seems to me that every time we humans announce that here is the thing that makes us unique—our featherless bipedality, our tool-using, our language—some other species comes along to snatch it away."

The Paideia Governing Board and the Dean's Office invite you to join in our conversation with the first-year class. Copies of the book are now available at no charge to faculty and staff at the Book Shop.

Recommend a book for the 2017 summer reading

Faculty and staff are invited to send recommendations for the 2017 campus-wide summer reading to the Paideia Program at <sullivre>. Here's a history of recent titles.

Summer grilling on the Oneota Patio

Summer is coming, and so are Oneota Market patio grilling specials. Starting June 15, enjoy grilled lunch specials on select Wednesdays throughout the summer. Lunch specials include build-your-own burgers, local bratwursts, pork chops on a stick, marinated steak, BBQ pork ribs and BBQ bone-in chicken.

Luther Gardens tomato seedling sale

Getting ready to start a summer garden? Luther Gardens will sell tomato seedlings from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, and 5-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, in the Valders Greenhouse. Ten varieties of tomatoes are available in various sizes and colors. Get a four-pack for $2 or larger, single plants for $1.50. Cash or check only. Questions? Contact Allison Hren, 387-1573.

Happy birthday from Dining Services

Congratulations and happy birthday to Jeanette Pillsbury, Beth Lynch, Meg Hammes, La Donna McGohan and Jan Koenig! Please enjoy a free lunch on us in the Caf or Grab-N-Go. Jeanette, Beth, Meg, La Donna and Jan were randomly selected from the May faculty/staff birthday calendar.

Faculty Admissions Participation Form

The Admissions Office wishes to thank Luther faculty for the many ways in which they have assisted Luther's enrollment efforts this year. A Faculty Admissions Participation Form was created last year to solicit help from faculty members. Please complete the form for 2016-17 if you have not already done so. Thank you in advance for lending a helping hand to the Admissions Office. Questions? Contact Scot Schaeffer, <schasc01> or 387-1430.

Fiscal year-end approaching

The end of the fiscal year is approaching. All supplies, materials, etc., must be received by Tuesday, May 31, to be expensed to a fiscal year 2015-16 budget. Outstanding travel expense reports, original invoices, supporting purchase orders and purchase permits or account adjustments should be sent to the Office for Financial Services by Friday, June 10, to be included in the fiscal year 2015-16 budget. No faxed copies. Items for deposit must be sent to OFS by Friday, June 3. Thanks for helping OFS close out the year in a timely manner.

Faculty Recognition Dinner May 12

Luther faculty and staff are invited to the Faculty Recognition Dinner Thursday, May 12, to honor retiring faculty Ginger Meyette, Craig Mosher and Jessica Paul, and to pay tribute to Nick Gomersall, Jack Hedstrom, John Jefferson, Martin Klammer and Brian Solberg on 25 years of service to the college. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in Hammarskjold Lounge, followed at 6 p.m. by dinner and a program in Peace. Tickets, $12, are on sale April 25–May 10 at the Ticket Office and tickets.luther.edu.

Wellness seeks employee input

The Wellness Department is looking to gain insight from employees regarding wellness on campus and asks all employees to fill out a quick anonymous survey. Feel free to complete the survey even if Wellness has already spoken in person to your department. All input is appreciated; the information provided will be used to implement different wellness programs for employees in the near future. Questions? Contact <wellness>.

Book Shop news

The Book Shop will host a Star Wars party from 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 4. Derek Sweet will sign copies of his new book, "Star Wars in the Public Square: The Clone Wars as Political Dialogue," from 10:30-11:30 a.m. There will be games, discounts, food and more. Wear a costume and receive a special discount. May the 4th be with you.

New at luther.edu

On the Faculty Stories page, computer science professor Brad Miller discusses how his "real world" experience significantly influences how he teaches and the information he highlights in the classroom.

EVENTS

Chapel this week

Wednesday, May 4: Carter Johnson '16, Senior Chapel, with Cathedral Choir and Jazz Band
Friday, May 6: Student Research Symposium opening celebration, with Luther Trumpets, Aurora and Norsemen (service begins at 9 .m.)
Monday, May 9: Judd Larson

Home sporting events this week

May 6: Baseball vs. University of Dubuque, 1 p.m.
May 7: Baseball vs. University of Dubuque, 1 p.m.
May 6-7: Softball hosts IIAC Softball tournament, Luther's first game is at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7

Events this week

Tuesday, May 3: Campus conversation, "What does 'safe space' mean for us?" 5:15 p.m., Olin 102

Wednesday, May 4: Guest lecture, Sonia Kendrick, 7 p.m., Valders 362

Thursday, May 5: Solar expo and workshop, 6:30 p.m., Valders 206; Theatre performance, "The Illusion," 7:30 p.m., Jewel Theatre

Friday, May 6: Student Research Symposium, all day; Theatre performance, "The Illusion," 7:30 p.m., Jewel Theatre; Spring opera performance, "The Merry Widow," 7:30 p.m., CFL Main Hall

Saturday, May 7: Theatre performance, "The Illusion," 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., Jewel Theatre; Faculty recital, Igor Kalnin, 2 p.m., NRH; Dance and theatre senior project, "Predisposition," 7:30 p.m., Storre Theatre; Spring opera performance, "The Merry Widow," 7:30 p.m., CFL Main Hall

Sunday, May 8: Rosholt recital, 4 p.m., NRH; Recital, Registered chamber group, 7 p.m., NRH; Short shorts art experience, 4 p.m., Hovde Room, Preus Library; Dance and theatre senior project, "Predisposition," 7:30 p.m., Storre Theatre

Monday, May 9: Recital, Composition studio, 9 p.m., NRH

Keep the conversation going: What does 'safe space' mean for us?

Many campuses and communities are involved in discussions about "safe space," so what does this idea mean for the Luther and Decorah communities? Where does the idea of safe space come from? How does it shape the conversations we can have? These questions and more will be explored in a conversation at 5:15 pm. Tuesday, May 3, in Olin 102. This conversation is meant to model good disagreement, like the "truth seeking" we recently saw between Cornel West and Robert George. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

'Using Food Democracy to Rebuild Local Food Systems'

Sonia Kendrick will present "Using Food Democracy to Rebuild Local Food Systems" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in Valders 362. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Kendrick is the founder of Feed Iowa First, a nonprofit that partners with 22 businesses and churches throughout Cedar Rapids to grow and distribute  food to residents of Linn County. Dedicated to confronting food insecurity today and tomorrow by growing food and farmers, Feed Iowa First raises wholesome, fresh food and delivers it to those in need. The lecture is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Senior art exhibit May 5-22

Representing the culmination of 17 students' art journeys, Luther College senior art majors present a gallery exhibit of their collective works May 5-22 in the Kristen Wigley-Fleming Fine Arts Gallery and the Gregerson Gallery in the CFA. A reception for the student artists will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in the CFA. The exhibits and the reception are open to the public with no charge for admission.

Solar expo and workshop May 5 

Break Free Decorah will host a solar expo and workshop at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in Valders 206. The event is co-sponsored by the Winneshiek Energy District, Green Iowa AmeriCorps and Luther College. From 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 7, Break Free Decorah will host a variety of displays at the Winneshiek Farmers Market, including an electric car show (10 a.m.-noon), a bicycle blender, solar oven exhibit, mechanical and solar powered lawn mowers, a tiny house informational booth and more. For more information, go to the Break Free Decorah website.

VPA presents 'The Illusion' May 5-7

The Visual and Performing Arts department presents Tony Kushner's "The Illusion" May 5-7 in the Jewel Theatre. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, and Friday, May 6; and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7. Tickets, on sale at the Ticket Office and tickets.luther.edu, are $12, $5 for children ages 12 and under.

Faculty Artist Series: Igor Kalnin, violin

Igor Kalnin will perform a violin recital with guest pianist Rochelle Sennet at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the NRH. Kalnin and Sennet will perform Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Opus 42," Maurice Ravel's "Tzigane," and Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1, Sz. 75 by Béla Bartók. The program is open to the public with no charge for admission. 

'The Merry Widow' spring opera performance May 6-7

Money, marriage and what people are willing to do to keep them take center stage in the Luther College Spring Opera performance of Franz Léhar's most popular operetta, "The Merry Widow." Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, in the CFL Main Hall. Tickets, on sale in Luther's Ticket Office, are $15 for adults and $8 for youth ages 12 and under. "The Merry Widow" features both vocal and instrumental student performers, with a cast of about 28 Luther students accompanied by the Luther College Chamber Orchestra.

'Predisposition' senior project performance May 7-8

"Predisposition," a play about the bonds of family suffering during times of tension and hardship, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, in Storre Theatre. Written by Emma Cassabaum '16, and directed by Maggie Sulentic '16, "Predisposition" is part of the Dance and Theatre Senior Projects series. The performance is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Rosholt keyboard recital May 8

Luther College will host the Lucille Stansberry Rosholt Distinction in Accompanying and Collaborative Keyboard Performance Scholarship recital at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 8, in the NRH. The recital will be followed by an award ceremony and reception. The recital and reception are open to the public with no charge for admission.

A program of short shorts

The community is invited to program of short short artful experiences, in celebration of the conclusion of Lise Kildegaard's tenure as the Jones Professor in the Humanities. Come enjoy a little film, a little dance, a little theater, a little music, a square story or two—and learn why the micro-arts can be so big and beautiful. The program is at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 8, in Hovde Lounge, Preus Library. A reception will follow the program.

Composition studio recital May 9

Luther College will host an evening of new music composed by members of Luther's composition studio. Out of the 18 student composers in this semester's composition studio, five students have been selected to present their pieces at 9 p.m. Monday, May 9, in the NRH. Works to be performed include solo, chamber and electronic music with video. The recital is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Senior Recognition Convocation May 10

The Luther community will gather for the annual Senior Recognition Convocation at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the CFL Main Hall. This celebration is a time to honor all members of the Class of 2016, as well as recognize graduating seniors who have earned Latin honors, those who have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to honor societies in their major fields, those who have received departmental and post-graduate awards, and academic all-conference athletes. Jessica Paul will share reflections. The printed program will include senior paper/project titles. Following convocation, a group photo of the Class of 2016 will be taken.

Chapel service to honor retiring and departing faculty and staff

Retiring and departing faculty and staff will be honored with prayers of Godspeed and farewell in chapel on Wednesday, May 11. After chapel, there will be a brief reception in the CFL lobby. This will also be a time of appreciation and recognition for the service and ministry of Pastor Judd Larson and Pastor Marion Pruitt-Jefferson during this interim year.

Baccalaureate service May 21

Baccalaureate, a celebration and sending for the Class of 2016, will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in the CFL Main Hall. The celebratory worship service includes hymns, choir anthems, prayers and blessings for graduates and their families. Rooted in the college's Lutheran/Christian heritage and confidence in God's care for all people of the earth, this ecumenical service includes prayer petitions that celebrate the diversity of religious traditions represented in the graduating class. Guests are to be seated by 7:45 p.m. The service will be streamed at: stream.luther.edu.

COMMUNITY

Celebrations this week

Birthdays

May 3: Justin Scardina, Joyce Thorne, Gwen Van Gerpen
May 4: Dan Davis, Dan Marlow, Mark Martin
May 5: Beth Philips, Jeannette Pillsbury, Megan Strom
May 6: David Bishop, Karen Kanakis
May 7: Jeff Wilkerson
May 8: Vickie Harper-Halverson
May 9: Eric Ashcraft, Beth Lynch

Job opening

Multimedia strategic fellow: Information Technology Services seeks a multimedia strategic fellow to participate on the User Services and Multimedia teams within ITS. This is a one year, full-time position. The multimedia strategic fellow assists the multimedia lead in promoting and supporting the effective uses of video, audio, textual, graphical and other electronic media in support of teaching, learning, research and administrative purposes. Supervisory responsibilities include daily management of the multimedia ticket queue and multimedia student staff productivity.

To view the complete job description and apply for this position and all current openings, please go to the Internal Jobs section of Luther's employment website at https://luthercollege.hiretouch.com.

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS, ETC.

Todd Green gave two lectures in Dubuque on April 28. The first, at Wartburg Theological Seminary, focused on how Christian clergy and professionals can combat Islamophobia, and the second, at Loras College, addressed the causes and consequences of Islamophobia in the United States.

Loren Toussaint presented a talk at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City on Wednesday, April 27. The talk, titled "Forgiving and Living: Finding Health and Happiness in a Forgiving Life," discussed the meaning of forgiveness, what motivates people to forgive, and the positive health and happiness benefits of forgiveness. Becky Elsbernd '97, the parish nurse at Trinity, arranged the talk as part of Trinity's Wellness Wednesdayprogram.

Jane Wilson '16, presented results from her student-faculty collaborative research project with Laura Peterson at the North-Central Section meeting of the Geological Society of America in Champaign, Illinois. Her talk was titled "Plio-Pleistocene climate change: Insights from a new sea surface temperature record from the southern Pacific Ocean."

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

For rent: Well-maintained older house for rent, near Phelps Park, within walking distance to downtown. Three largish bedrooms, small study and full bath upstairs; living room, dining room, study, kitchen and half-bath downstairs. Small yard, washer/dryer. $850 per month, plus utilities. Available July 1. Contact Kate Narveson, <narveska>.

For rent: Beautiful three-story, three bedroom, four bath furnished home for rent close to downtown Decorah. Built in 2006, this house has all the latest home energy efficiency solutions and lots of extras, including a whole-home audio system, in-floor heating, a whirlpool and an exercise room. Available mid-Aug. 2016 through May 2017. Cost is $1,300 per month, plus utilities. Perfect for a family or 2-3 roommates. Photos available online. Contact Tabita, <tabita.green>.

For rent: House for rent in fall 2016 in quiet Phelps Park area of Decorah. Small cottage-type, one-and-a-half story furnished house. Ideal for single person or two adults, no children. Completely furnished living room, dining room and bedroom. Kitchen has stove, refrigerator and microwave. Basement area has washer, dryer and water conditioner, along with storage space. Half-story upstairs ideal for office. One car garage with remote; garden space in back. Furnished down to the plates, cups and cooking utensils, so perfect for short-term, visiting faculty. No smoking, no pets. Contact Connie, [email protected] or (218) 340-3271. 

For rent: Four bedroom home, close to Luther College. Two large bedrooms on the main level and two bedrooms in the lower level. All hardwood floors; stove, fridge, washer and dryer included. Screened-in porch on the rear of the house. Large yard and landlord takes care of mowing. $1,000 per month, available June 1. Contact Tade, [email protected] or 380-1415, for a rental application or with questions.

For rent: Four bedroom home located at 315 Day St., near downtown Decorah. Hardwood floors; stove, fridge, washer and dryer included. Pet friendly with references. Large yard with storage shed, landlord takes care of mowing. $750 month. Email Tade, [email protected], for a rental application or with questions.

For sale: Large comfy chair with matching ottoman, buff colored, good condition. $50. Will need to be transported from Lansing. For a photo, email Ellen, <modeel01>.

Free: Approximately one dozen mature daylilies need a new home. Divisible into as many as two dozen plants. Mostly red and yellow, and a few pink. Contact Laurie, <zarila01>.