VOLUME 22, NUMBER 31
A Newsletter for the Viterbo University Community
MAY 4, 2009
Congratulations and Best Wishes
On behalf of the cabinet and deans, I extend sincere congratulations and best wishes to our students who will soon graduate. Thank you for the many ways you have made Viterbo a better place, and have made us better women and men. Pax et Bonum! In these past weeks we have celebrated many special events and recognized students, faculty, administration, and staff. The list is too long to itemize and the activities and names will grow in the days ahead as we wrap up an excellent academic year. In summary fashion, I wish to thank the scores of administrative professionals whose work is essential to our mission and success. A week to honor nurses will soon follow. Praise to all associated with our School of Nursing; your healing ministry has been a hallmark of excellence. Soon thereafter we’ll pay tribute to motherhood. Happy Mother’s Day. We’ve applauded the achievements of our student athletes, performers, scholars, researchers, volunteers, and leaders. In tandem, I thank teachers, coaches, and mentors whose tutelage and guidance are essential to student success. To those departing Viterbo for new opportunities, thank you for your service. May God bless you and watch over you as you undertake new ventures. Enjoy the blossoms of spring, the beauty of life, and the promise of tomorrow.
Viterbo Names Teacher, Employee of the Year
Judy Anderson, nursing, was named Viterbo’s 2009 Teacher of the Year at the annual Rose Awards ceremony April 29. Neil Rouse, assistant director of instructional and information technology, was named Employee of the Year. Other Viterbo employees honored: • Wayne Wojciechowski, assistant academic vice president, received the Sr. Helen Elsbernd Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to a person who has served the university for more than 20 years, typically in more than one capacity. • Jeff Stolz, theatre, was presented with the Alec Chiu Award, which is awarded for exceptional work at Viterbo to foster and develop scholarly opportunities for both students and faculty. • School of Nursing staff members Brandy Cleveland and Bobbi Hundt were presented with the Pax et Bonum Award, which is given in recognition of demonstrating the Franciscan values of service, respect, hospitality, stewardship, and joy. • Deb Murray, psychology, received the Father J. Thomas Finucan Exemplar of Mission Award for her demonstrated exemplary dedication to the mission of the university. • John Schroeder, education, was presented with the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award for his work with students. • Receiving a Servant Leader Award was Timothy Schorr, music. • Receiving Outstanding Adjunct Professor Awards were James Ford, Todd Ondell, Gregg Hilker, Holly Saunders, Ruth Davis, and Jane Steingraeber.
Viterbo University Spring Commencement May 9
Three hundred-fifteen undergraduate, 44 graduate, and five associate degree students will be candidates for graduation at Viterbo’s spring commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the La Crosse Center. Faculty should line up at the north concourse (through the lobby and to the right, look for the signs) no later than 1:40 p.m. There will not be secure storage for personal items, so please leave handbags and other personal items in your vehicle (ideally locked in your trunk or someplace that is not visible.) The same tips for graduates also apply to wearing the faculty regalia— gowns should be pressed and worn with dark slacks or hosiery, and dark shoes; caps should be worn level (not tipped back); no jewelry or other adornments should be worn with the gowns; and faculty tassels are worn on the left side. There will be a new process during the recessional. Faculty members will be led out after the stage party, but will be stopped to form two lines along the edges of the aisle so the graduates can pass between them during the recessional. Faculty members are encouraged to applaud the graduates as they pass through.
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President’s Award
Viterbo student Kristina Smaby received the President’s Award in recognition of her commitment to public service at the 13th annual Volunteer Recognition Event April 28. Thirty-nine students from six area high schools were honored at the event. Also pictured is president Rick Artman.
Grants Efforts Appreciated
A number of faculty deserve the Viterbo community’s gratitude for their involvement with grants during 2008–09. Grants help enrich our students’ learning experiences, provide financial assistance for students’ education, and strengthen Viterbo’s role within the community. The following were active in grant seeking and/or in grant-funded projects this year: Michael Alfieri, Kyle Backstrand, Dorie Beres, Darryle Clott, Mike Collins, Sara Cook, Jane Eddy, Donna Ferry, David Gardiner, Stephanie Genz, Karen Gibson, Alida Herling, Jason Howard, Sheryl Jacobsen, Jesús Jambrina, Dan Johnson, Ward Jones, Carol Klitzke, Rick Kyte, Frank Ludwig, Deb Murray, Bonnie Nesbitt, Michael Ranscht, Anne Reinhart, Silvana Richardson, Lisa Schoenfielder, Tim Schorr, Judy Talbott, Glena Temple, Rick Walters, and Catherine Wright.
Register for Summer Group Fitness Classes
The rec sports summer group fitness class information and schedule is now available. Classes begin Monday, May 11 and end Friday, Aug. 21. The fee is $30 per month for all participants. Participants may pay for the whole summer or pay per month. Register at the Mathy Center. All classes will be held at noon. There will not be a class on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. The schedule: • Mondays. . . . . . . . . . . .Total Strength • Tuesdays . . . . . . . . . . . Cardio Combo • Wednesdays . . . . . . . . .Total Strength • Thursdays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yoga • Fridays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-in-1 For more information, visit www.viterbo. edu/recsports.aspx?id=24878 or contact ext. 3121 or recsports@viterbo.edu.
Ice Cream Social May 6
Employees are invited to an ice cream social Wednesday, May 6 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. on the Reinhart Center Terrace (rain location is the Reinhart Center Board Room). No RSVPs are necessary, and the event is free. The ice cream social is sponsored by the Hospitality Committee.
Swine Flu Preparedness
By Sue Danielson, health services
Kudos to…
• Kudos to Sue Danielson, Diane Brimmer, the members of the Emergency Response Planning Committee, physical plant, and the Viterbo community for the successful tornado drill April 23. • Jesús Jambrina, world languages, who had a research paper and a dossier he edited on Cuban poet Virgilio Piñera published in Revista Iberoamericana Vol. 75, 226, January–March, 2009.
With the news of the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, and various other countries, health services would like to take this opportunity to provide some education to students and employees. Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. Currently, the number of cases in the U.S. continues to rise. At this time, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel warning to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular seasonal influenza, including: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting have been noted to accompany swine flu. In more severe cases, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death may occur with the swine flu. It may also be more serious in persons with chronic disease. Swine flu is spread in the same way as regular seasonal influenza—by coughing and sneezing and touching infected surfaces and then touching your nose or mouth. Infected people may be able to
infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. Here are some tips to prevent the spread of the swine flu: • Wash your hands often—if soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer solution • Get plenty of sleep • Drink lots of fluids • Cover coughs and sneezes and dispose of tissues immediately • Manage stress levels • Do not touch possible contaminated surfaces • Avoid touching your mouth and nose • Avoid persons who are ill • If you are ill, stay home • Stay physically active • Eat nutritious foods For more information, visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm or contact Sue Danielson, health services, at ext. 3806.
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Commencement, continued from front page
Jan Janiszewski, president of the faculty assembly, will serve as Master of Ceremonies, and Emily Anderson, a marketing major from Baraboo, will deliver the student address. Julie Bartels ’77 will give the alumni welcome, and Viterbo President Rick Artman will confer the degrees. The Rev. Thomas O’Neill will provide the benediction. A Baccalaureate Mass will be held that morning at 11 a.m. in the Maria Angelorum Chapel at St. Rose Convent. Fr. O’Neill will preside at the liturgy. The nursing pinning ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 in the Viterbo Fine Arts Center Main Theatre. The BSN Completion program pinning ceremony will be at 9 a.m. May 9 in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.
Class Conducts Invasive Species Cut
Hixon Forest and a Mississippi Conservancy site on the south end of La Crosse were the beneficiaries of an invasive species cut April 18. Approximately 50 volunteers turned out for the event, which was organized and conducted by the members of Viterbo’s environmental economics class, which is taught by Todd Ondell. The class was assisted by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and the Myrick Hixon Eco Park. Participating were class members Christine Brookins, Joe Gasner, Dustin Hines, Bob Papke, Jennifer Reedy, and Jamie Sontag. Donations were made by Kohls, Horizon Equipment in West Salem, Arcade Pumping, Downtown Rotary, and Grounded Specialty Coffee. “We conducted this class project because we wanted to show the community that we could save our community and environment by beginning locally,” said Reedy, chair of the project. “Participants became involved, provided community service, and bettered their environment.”
Summer Birthdays
June 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandy Cleveland 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lyon Evans 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paula Wegner 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Hinck 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Nichols 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glena Temple 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorie Michaels 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Stafslien 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynn Biddick 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicente Guillot 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Rouse 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne Kruse 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Dawson 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vee Luz 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lue Moua 29 . . . . . . . . . . Pauline Pappadopoulos 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gene McCurdy July 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Sandblom 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Scheuermann 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra Collier 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsay Cummings 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Nebeck 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheldon Lee 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dawn Mazzola 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Ranscht 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Eddy 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tamara Hall 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deane Hatteberg 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan DeLong 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Wilhelmson 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra Bartel 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew Crawford 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Collins 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Kunick 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Faust 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan Eriksen 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sherri Lisota 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isaac Kulka 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rosemary Matiak 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marcus Saegrove 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edd Smale 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Henthorne 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Foust August 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelly Stoppel 5 . . . . . . . . . .Jennifer Anderson-Meger 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Duesterbeck 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Ganther 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Hanoski 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jan Janiszewski 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jean Saladino 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Hinkley 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Growt 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Tsilis 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynda Fernholz 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Klouda 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonnie Nesbitt 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Paetzold 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vaughn Rodgers 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Reese 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Larson 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miranda Crispin 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Gaedy 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Klitzke 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle Gavin 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rita Magno 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jocelyn Mlsna
Flex Hours Begin May 18
Viterbo will adjust its summer operating hours from Monday, May 18–Friday, July 31. During this time, offices will be expected to remain open Monday– Friday from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The university will revert to its standard operating hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3. From May 18–July 31, employees may have, with departmental supervisor approval, the option of flexible scheduling during these weeks or the option of working the standard operating hours, as long as each office remains open from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and standard services remain available.
Classifieds
For sale: Two excellent main floor seats for the Moscow Festival Ballet’s performance of Don Quixote Tuesday, May. 5. Call ext. 3470. Wanted: Any recent or outdated dress up clothes (prom dresses, fancy dresses, casual dresses, suit coats for men and women, dressy shirts, etc.) for the Children’s Museum. A collection box is outside Val KokottRebhahn’s office in Murphy Center 581 and the Fine Arts Center.
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campus ministry and mission
By Fr. Tom O’Neill
We come to the end of another school year and begin to shift into summer mode. As we do so it might be good to reflect on the spiritual practice of play. Coyote. Nasrudin. St. Francis of Assisi and his Order of Jesters of the Lord. Zen masters. Taoist sages. Hasidic storytellers. Clowns and performance artists. Such prophets—and all the spiritual traditions have them—encourage us not to take ourselves too seriously. They say that what we know is not worth knowing, and what’s worth knowing cannot be known through our ways. To our sensible selves, their actions seem silly, shameless, even shocking. But they have an important role in the spiritual life. They carry the banner for the spiritual practice of play.
Play is the exuberant expression of our being. It is at the heart of our creativity, our sexuality, and our most carefree moments of devotion. It helps us live with absurdity, paradox, and mystery. It feeds our joy and wonder. It keeps our search for meaning down to earth. Practice play by doing things on the spur of the moment. Take time out to experiment, to try on different parts, to relax. Laugh heartily at jokes, situations, and yourself. Remember, laughter heals body, mind, and soul, and by extension, communities. Most of us don’t play enough. We’re either too “busy,” a code word for workaholism, or we’re too serious, mistaking earnestness for accomplishment. We’re predictable, too, equating free-spiritedness with irresponsibility. The best treatment for these conditions
is play. We need to lighten up. But there is also a shadow side of play. Sometimes we get so involved in role playing and just having a good time that we never reveal our true selves. Then we need the company of other fools to point out the folly of our foolishness. Mass during the summer: Sundays at 11 a.m. and weekdays (when I am in town) at noon. The schedule is available on the campus ministry Web site and in Rooftop. In fall we will welcome Patrick Andera as the new campus minister and Lindsey Kirsenlohr, AmeriCorps Vista volunteer. Have a blessed, relaxing, and playful summer.
from the library
By Elizabeth Ehr and Rita Magno
As summer vacation approaches, consider these new absorbing recreational reading titles to fill a few leisure hours. For more reviews, please visit the library’s blog: Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters. After more than forty years of interviewing celebrities, the most important woman in television journalism has turned her gift for examination onto herself, revealing the forces that shaped her extraordinary life. Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with an Arctic Herd by Karsten Heuer. In April 2003, newlyweds Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison embarked on a five-month research journey to migrate more than 2,000 miles with a herd of 120,000 porcupine caribou. Dead Hot Shot by Victoria Houston. The charming resort town of Loon Lake, Wis. is once again rocked by murder as retired dentist and fly fisherman Doc Osborne is deputized to help investigate the death of an heiress whose body washes ashore on Thanksgiving morning.
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. Sookie Stackhouse is a smalltime cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana who has the ability to read minds. Then along comes Bill, a vampire with a bad reputation, and Sookie can’t hear a word he’s thinking. Dewey: The Small-town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron. This is the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa. We’d like to thank the following people and organizations who donated materials to the library this past spring: Miranda Crispin, Fairfield University, FSPA Archives, Deanne Hatteberg, John Hempstead, Karen Gibson, Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA; Rick Kyte, Mary Ann Lackovich, David Marcou, Theresa Moore, Fr. Tom O’Neill, Rabbi Prombaum, Rowman & Littlefield Publishing, Terri Rydmark, Marti Schwem, Sheed & Littlefield Publishing, and Grant Smith.
Register Your Team for Chileda Classic
The Viterbo community is invited to put together a team to participate in the La Crosse Chileda Classic, a premiere five and 10-kilometer walk and run, Saturday, July 4. A team can be formed with just five or a hundred employees. The event attracts approximately 1,200 walkers and runners each year. Registration can be completed at www.active.com or call 782-6480 and a registration packet will be mailed to you.
connections is published every
Monday of each academic year. Copy deadline is 4 p.m., Wednesday. Email copy to connections@viterbo.edu or send interoffice to the office of communications and marketing, RC 007. Visit us on the Web at www.viterbo.edu/connections.aspx
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