1. Author Raj Patel to discuss global food supplies

Raj Patel, agricultural scholar and author of the book Stuffed and Starved: the Battle for the World Food System, will address “The World Food Crisis: How did it get so bad and why should we care?” today, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m., in Cudahy Hall 001. The speech is free and open to the public.

Patel will also lead a discussion on the issues surrounding the world food crisis at Soup with Substance on Friday, Oct. 24, from noon to 1 p.m. in AMU 163. A light meal of soup, bread, and water will be served.

His visit is sponsored by the university’s Manresa Project, the Office of International Education and MUSG.

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2. Exploding stars is topic of today’s Coyne Lecture

Dr. J. Craig Wheeler, professor of astronomy at University of Texas at Austin, will present “Exploding Stars in an Accelerating Universe” at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 23, in the Tony and Lucille Weasler Auditorium. As the Rev. George V. Coyne, S.J., lecturer in astronomy and astrophysics, Wheeler will explain how supernovae produce elements necessary for life, exotic compact objects like neutron stars and black holes, and the energy to drive the evolution of galaxies.

Wheeler specializes in the astrophysics of violent events: supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, gamma-ray bursts and the relation of these events to astrobiology. He has published approximately 200 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings, and has edited books on supernovae.

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3. Former chaplain to Desmund Tutu hosting retreat; presentations

Chris Ahrends, former chaplain to Desmund Tutu and the Center for Peacemaking’s peacemaker in residence, will conduct a retreat Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Chapel of the Holy Family, on the second floor of the AMU. Retreatants will reflect on the inner personal peace one needs to make outer peace in the world. The retreat is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended, but not required.

Ahrends will also provide a series of presentations to discuss “Theory W,” an integrated approach to personal and group dynamics that empowers peacemaking, today, Oct. 23, in AMU 157, Monday, Oct. 27, in AMU 252, and Wednesday, Oct. 29, in AMU 254. All presentations are 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

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4. Academic Senate approves new biology major

The University Academic Senate Monday recommended approval of a new biology major, Biology for the Professions, specifically designed for students in the College of Education planning to be middle and high school science teachers.

The new major will require six, three-credit biological sciences courses, plus an additional biology lab course and nine credits of electives in biological sciences. Students will also be required to take chemistry, mathematics and physics courses.

Dr. Peggy Bloom, vice provost for undergraduate programs and teaching, said the new major, in combination with required teacher preparation courses, would meet teacher licensing requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and provides a broader science background than the traditional biological sciences major.

The UAS also approved the elimination of the major in human biology. Both the new major and the decision to drop the human biology major must be approved by the university’s Board of Trustees. The items will be placed on the board’s December agenda.

In other business, Dr. Edward Inderriden, chair of the University Board of Graduate Studies, informed the UAS that a new specialization in computational sciences had been established within the Ph.D. program in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. The current Ph.D. specializations in algebra, biomathematics, statistics and logic and foundations have been eliminated, as has the M.S. specialization in mathematics. The master’s specialization in computer science will now be a specialization in computational sciences.

The UAS also asked the Provost’s Office to further examine the report on faculty salaries submitted to the senate in May, specifically looking at the gap between Marquette salaries and the 60th percentile for the American Association of University Professors and at gender equity.

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5. Engineering team honored for outreach efforts

The College of Engineering’s Outreach Team Tuesday received the 2008 Excellence in STEM Award at the annual sySTEM Now! (Strengthening our Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) here at Marquette.

Recognized in the education category, the team includes: Dr. Jon Jensen, associate dean for enrollment management; Jack Samuelson, coordinator of outreach programs; and Lori Stempski, administrative assistant. Jensen also noted the assistance of six past and current engineering students; Dr. Robert Weber, associate professor of mechanical engineering and Erin Richardson from Arnold & O’Sheridan Consulting Engineers who have helped with instruction and team building skills; and volunteer engineer James Jodie from CH2M Hill.

The award from the Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee honors an institution “whose curriculum, individual activities and/or overall program demonstrates a unique approach and/or unparalleled commitment to promoting STEM awareness and improving the STEM competency of K-12 students.”

Opus Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski praised the efforts of the college’s outreach team. “We have dramatically increased our efforts to interest young students,” he said. “From our partnerships with area high schools through Project Lead the Way and mentoring to the wonderful weekend and summer academies developed by Dr. Jensen and his team, we are reaching literally hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students each year.” More information about the academies, including those offered this semester, is available online.

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6. Spring advising and registration beginning

Students are encouraged to visit their adviser before spring registration begins on Monday, Nov. 3, according to their college advising policy. Undergraduates use Academic Advisement in CheckMarq to help plan their schedule and make their advising sessions more effective.

Snapshot is available now to plan spring courses. Spring registration appointments have been assigned and can be accessed on CheckMarq. Students may register at that time or thereafter.

As part of the Office of the Bursar’s continuing communication efforts, the 2009 spring registration will include a financial responsibility disclosure each student will be required to read and acknowledge.

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7. Health Professions Career Fair will be held Oct. 28

The Department of Physical Therapy will hold a Health Professions Career Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the AMU Ballrooms. More than 80 organizations will attend, representing physical therapy, nursing, clinical lab science, biomedical engineering, speech language pathology, athletic training, exercise science and biomedical science. Information about potential employers, volunteer opportunities and internships will be available.

Professional attire is required and resumes are optional. Contact the Career Fair Planning Committee for more information.

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8. Tickets available for Wisconsin Public Radio broadcast

Kathleen Dunn, host of Conversations with Kathleen Dunn on Wisconsin Public Radio, will present a “Your vote, Your future” broadcast Thursday, Oct. 30. The broadcast will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom. The first hour will feature a panel of guests from both major political parties, and the second hour will feature Marquette students discussing what has been happening on campus to get the vote out.

Guests will include:

• Matt Dambach, chair, Students for McCain, Marquette

• Dr. Kathleen Dolan, professor of political science, UW-Milwaukee

• Craig Gilbert, Washington Bureau chief, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

• Nicholas Glaser, president, Young Americans for Liberty

• Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy, Marquette

• representative of Students for Obama, Marquette

Free admission tickets are available to members of the Marquette community. Tickets are available between noon and 11:30 p.m. in the Brooks Lounge, AMU. A limited number of tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the Office of Public Affairs at 8-7491 for more information.

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9. Libraries, electrical engineering and neuroscience to hold colloquiums

Raynor Memorial Libraries will host a colloquium Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites. Dr. Anees Sheikh, professor of psychology, will present “Healing Images: Connecting with Inner Wisdom.”

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will hold a colloquium Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m., in Olin Engineering Center 202. Dr. Ilya Koltover, project manager at Sigma Aldrich Chemical Corporation, will present “Rack that Power — Real World Examples and the Future of Sustainable Energy.” A reception will be held at 2:30 p.m. in room 204. For more information, call 8-6820.

The Integrative Neuroscience Center will host Dr. Chad Swanson, project manager and scientist at the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, for “Behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of mGlu2/3 Receptor Agonists in the Phencyclidine (PCP) model of Psychosis,” Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Cramer Hall 004E.

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10. Workshop to cover multivariate statistical methods

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science and the university’s Statistical Consulting Service will offer a free, four-week workshop on multivariate statistical methods beginning Friday, Oct. 31. The workshop will be held on four consecutive Tuesdays for those who are interested in learning techniques to analyze large dimensional data in chemistry, biological sciences, engineering and business. Participants are expected to have some mathematical background.

All sessions take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Cudahy Hall 412. To register, contact Dr. Naveen Bansal, professor of mathematics, statistics, and computer science, at 8-5290.

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11. Flu shots available at Shoo the Flu, walk-in flu clinic

The Visiting Nurse Association and the Center for Health Education and Promotion/ Student Health Service will provide flu and pneumonia shots at Shoo the Flu, Oct. 27 and 28, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., first floor AMU. No appointment is necessary. Flu shots will cost $30. Medicare part B and Medicaid will also be accepted. Pneumonia shots will cost $45. Cash and checks will be accepted. Call Student Health Service at 8-7184 for more information.

The Marquette Neighborhood Health Center will also provide flu vaccines (shots or nasal spray) at walk-in flu clinics, 1834 W. Wisconsin Ave. The flu shot is available to anyone two years of age and older. Cost is $40 for those without insurance. MNHC can bill some insurance providers for the cost. No appointment is necessary, but the vaccines will be administered first-come, first-served.

Dates for walk-in flu clinics:

• Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Call the Marquette Neighborhood Health Center at 8-8458 for more information.

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12. MUSG hosting “After Dark” and “Road Trip Nation”

The MUSG After Dark Commission will sponsor “Chills and Thrills” Saturday, Oct. 25, in the AMU Ballrooms and Marquette Place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. This free event will feature “mind-reader” Brian Imbus and glow-in-the-dark bingo from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Road Trip Nation RV will visit Marquette’s Schroeder Field for students to tour Monday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an interactive keynote presentation at Weasler Auditorium at 5 p.m. Road Trip Nation began in 2001 when four college graduates, unsure of their career paths, bought an RV and traveled around the country interviewing inspirational people, such as Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Saturday Night Live Director Beth McCarthy Miller. This single trip has evolved into a movement focusing on individuality and students’ interaction with the activities housed in Road Trip Nation’s green RV.

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13. Student artists featured at Artober event

The Black Student Council will sponsor Artober, a showcase of local college student musicians, poets, painters, spoken word artists, rappers, and hip hop artists, Friday, Oct. 24, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Marquette Place, AMU. Contact Anthony Nutting for more information.

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14. Soccer teams hosting senior night; ROTC recognition

The women's soccer team will host West Virginia on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at Valley Fields, honoring its three seniors for Senior Night. A win against the Mountaineers and a win against Pitt on Sunday and will clinch a Big East Divisional Championship for the Marquette women.

The men’s soccer team will take on the Friars of Providence on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. at Valley Fields. ROTC will host an information booth about the military science programs offered at Marquette. Tickets will be $2 for members of the United States Armed Forces who show a valid military ID.

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15. Habitat for Humanity holding international trip session

Habitat for Humanity will hold an informational meeting about the group’s international Global Village’s summer trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Oct. 27, at 9 p.m. in Lalumiere 192. No prior Habitat for Humanity or building experience is necessary.

Habitat for Humanity will also sell bagged lunches and caramel apples on Wednesday Oct. 29, under the library bridge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Contact Laura Brudzynski for more information.

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16. Training session offered to prevent suicide

The Counseling Center will offer a free “Question, Persuade and Refer” suicide prevention training session Tuesday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in AMU 252. The training is a nationally recognized program that teaches attendees how to ask someone if he/she is suicidal and how to persuade the individual to accept a referral for counseling.

RSVP to the Counseling Center at 8-7172.

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17. Marquette Radio accepting bands for Battle of the Bands

Marquette Radio is searching for bands to perform at Battle of the Bands for the second annual 72-Hour Rock-A-Thon Friday, Nov. 21, at the Annex.

The Rock-A-Thon is an annual benefit for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission that runs Wednesday, Nov. 19, through Saturday, Nov. 22. This year's fundraiser will feature 72 hours of continuous on-air programming and a series of on campus events.

The Milwaukee Rescue Mission, the oldest and largest homeless shelter in Wisconsin, provides spiritual and material help and direction for the homeless and poor of Milwaukee community.

Contact Marquette Radio by Thursday, Oct. 30, for more information.

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