1. Interviews set for dean of arts and sciences finalists

Three finalists for dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences will be on campus this month for interviews with faculty, students and administrators.

The three finalists are:
• Dr. Brian Blake, associate professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and director of graduate studies at Georgetown University;
• Dr. Tim Machan, professor of English, Marquette University; and
• Dr. Marietta Morrissey, professor of sociology at the University of Toledo.

Dr. Albert Rivero, chair of the search committee, praised both the quantity and quality of the applicants for the deanship. “Our experience demonstrated that Marquette University is an attractive environment within academia,” he said. “That is especially true for the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, with its strong emphasis on the liberal arts and preparing students for the changing world in which they will live and work.”

Dr. Blake received his Ph.D. from George Mason University and has 14 years of industrial experience as an engineer for such firms as General Electric, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and The MITRE Corporation. He joined the Georgetown faculty in 2000 and has published more than 85 articles on service-oriented architectures, component-based software engineering, services-based software engineering, software engineering education and workflow and process management systems. His research has been supported by more than $5 million in grants from a variety of commercial and government organizations.

Dr. Blake will be on campus Jan. 13 and 14. An open forum is scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 in Raynor Library Beaumier Suites B&C.

Dr. Machan has served as chair of Marquette’s English Department on three different occasions (1998-2001, 2001-2004, 2004-2007) during his 23-year tenure. His research focuses on medieval language and literature, with the publication of nine books and approximately 40 articles and 30 reviews. His 10th book will be published this winter by Oxford University Press. Dr. Machan earned his baccalaureate degree and his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; his master’s degree is from the University of Durham in England.

The open forum for Dr. Machan will be held on Jan. 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in AMU ballroom B.

Dr. Morrissey has served as acting associate dean for the natural sciences and mathematics at Toledo and as associate dean for the social sciences. Her research focuses on Latin American stratification and development, and she has received two Fulbright awards. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Morrissey received her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Michigan State University. Prior to her 15 years at the University of Toledo, she was on the faculty at Texas Tech University.

Dr. Morrissey will visit Marquette Jan. 20 and 21, with her open forum scheduled for Jan. 21 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in AMU ballroom C.

More complete biographical information about each candidate is available at https://www.marquette.edu/klinglerdean/candidates.shtml.

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2. Marquette names new HR director

Octavio “Cas” Castro has been named assistant vice president/director of human resources for Marquette University. Castro, currently benefits, compensation and HRIS manager at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, will join the university Jan. 20.
 
Vice President and General Counsel Cindy Bauer, who chaired the search committee, said Castro stood out among the more than 100 applicants for the position. “It was a strong pool,” she said. “Cas brings to Marquette solid experience in all aspects of human resources operations, particularly in the key areas of benefits and information technology.” Bauer said those who met with Castro were impressed with his professionalism, communication skills, and employee-centered leadership.
 
Castro, a graduate of UW-Whitewater, has earned his Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification and is a past president and board member of the Society of Human Resources Professionals and an active member of the Employment Best Practices Forum. He is also a certified trainer for several programs.
 
Castro joined Goodwill in 1996 and has managed HR functions for the agency’s 61 locations and more than 4,000 employees. He developed and implemented an organization-wide wellness program; managed a multi-million dollar Human Resources Information System project, including vendor selection, conversion, testing, implementation and training; designed and implemented new insurance and benefit plans; and developed a compensation strategy and new compensation plan.

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3. Klingler development applications due next week

Applications for the Way Klingler Faculty Development Program grants are due next week. The program features awards intended to advance research and scholarship that was made possible through an $18 million donation by Helen Way Klingler announced in May 2004.

Way Klingler Fellowships are for full-time regular faculty at the associate or full professor rank who have potential for significant scholarship. Faculty will be nominated by academic deans or self-nominated with dean endorsement. Fellowships will be awarded in “science” and “humanities” categories. Science applicants are those with a track record of strong research funding whose research requires higher expense items such as equipment, supplies and research staff. Humanities applicants are those with national recognition for scholarship whose critical research requirements may be time, access to information and travel.

Two Way Klingler fellowships will be awarded in 2009, one in each applicant-designated area of science or humanities. The science fellow will receive $50,000 annually for three years, and the humanities fellow will receive $20,000 annually for three years. The application deadline for submission by the deans is Jan. 16, 2009.

Way Klingler Young Scholar Awards support promising young scholars in critical stages of their careers. Up to four awards will be given for 2009-10 to full-time regular junior faculty in the three years following their third-year review. The awards of up to $32,000 are intended to fund $2,000 in operating cost and to cover up to 50 percent of salary to afford the recipient a one-semester sabbatical. The application deadline is Jan. 12, 2009.

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4. Simmons funds available to support religious nature of university

The submission deadline for proposals to the Edward D. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund is Jan. 31, for grants for the 2009-2010 academic year. The fund finances small projects to provide seed money for programs and events that deepen the religious nature of Marquette. These modest grants usually range between $500 and $2,500. 

This year, proposals that are interdisciplinary and interdepartmental, as well as proposals that recognize Marquette’s Centennial of Co-education, will receive special consideration. The quality and creativity of the proposals, however, will still be the major determining factor for the grants.

More information is available online, by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

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5. RSVP for half-priced basketball tickets and dinner by tomorrow

The women’s basketball team will host Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Tuesday, Jan. 13, when it plays Notre Dame at the Al McGuire Center. All faculty and staff tickets can be purchased for half-price. Tip-off is 8 p.m. Call 288-GOMU for tickets.

Dr. Phillip Naylor, associate professor of history, and Tom Ford, associate athletics director, also welcome all faculty and staff to a pre-game complimentary dinner in the Eagles Nest Academic Center at the Al McGuire Center at 6 p.m. RSVP for the dinner at 8-5961 by Tuesday, Jan. 6.  

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6. The BFG to be performed this weekend 

The Department of Performing Arts’ Annual Theatre for Young Audiences performance will feature The BFG, based on Roald Dahl’s children’s novel about the Big Friendly Giant. Performances are at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, and Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Tony & Lucille Weasler Auditorium.

In this imaginative adaptation of the classic book, young Sophie befriends the 24-foot Big Friendly Giant. Together, they team up against trouble-making giants to save the children of England. Along the way, Sophie discovers the music of "whizzpopping,” learns the art of making dreams and experiences many other adventures. The play is best suited for ages five and older.

Ticket prices for The BFG are $10 and can be purchased by contacting the theatre box office at 8-7504.

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7. Spring classroom assignments posted in CheckMarq

Faculty can access CheckMarq for the most up-to-date spring 2009 course classroom assignments. Once assigned, courses may not be moved without approval from the Office of the Registrar. Faculty can fill out the SOC Classroom Change form to have a classroom assignment changed.

E-mail Marie Hegerty, associate registrar, or Jason Taylor, office associate, if unable to locate where a course is meeting.

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8. Ziggies ceases operation

Ziggies, the eatery at 1626 W. Wisconsin Ave., ended commercial operations on Dec. 31. The owner of the business, Nicholas Onassis, is retiring and will vacate the premises in mid-January.

Ziggies occupied a portion of the lower level and some basement space in the Marquette Apartments property purchased by the university in 2007. The property is being renovated as a suite-style residence hall to be ready for occupancy in August 2009. The area occupied by Ziggies will become part of the common space available for student usage.

Onasis will reimburse students, faculty or staff who prepaid for Ziggies meals. Contact him at 414-344-1462 prior to Friday, Jan. 16.

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9. Meet with alumni when traveling abroad 

The Marquette Alumni Association is looking for assistance in reaching out to the 1,400 alumni who live outside the United States.

According to survey results from an article in the fall 2008 issue of Marquette Magazine, alumni would love to meet with faculty and university staff members who are traveling to their countries. 

Alumni Relations asks faculty and staff interested in meeting alumni during their travels to contact Alumni Relations about their plans. Alumni clubs are established in Malaysia and Indonesia, while alumni in France, England, Spain and other countries are eager to get something started. No matter what country faculty and staff are traveling to, Alumni Relations is willing to help connect with alumni there. 

Contact Martha Moore, senior alumni relations officer, at 8-0398 for more information.

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10. Nominate students for Hunger Clean-Up planning committees

The Office of Student Development's Center for Community Service is seeking student leaders for the planning team for Hunger Clean-Up, Marquette’s largest one-day service project, Saturday, April 18, 2009. Faculty, staff and administrators can nominate students who demonstrate commitment to the Marquette community by e-mailing Laura Skaife, assistant dean for community service programs, or calling the Office of Student Development at 8-1412. Opportunities include publications, graphic design, fundraising, external communications, logistics and public relations.

Student applications are due Friday, Jan. 23, 2009.

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