1. Marquette trustees approve first phase of new engineering facility

The Marquette University Board of Trustees today approved moving ahead with the first phase of the university’s new, $100-million College of Engineering facility.

The first phase will involve construction of a five-story, 100,000-square-foot building on the south side of Wisconsin Avenue between 16th and 17th streets. Preparation of the site has already begun with soil testing and environmental demolition work on the interior of four university-owned apartment buildings. Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., said the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.

The structure will feature an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory, as well as other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students and office space. The initial structure will be linked to a future 150,000-square-foot building that will include classrooms, offices and additional laboratories.

“With $25 million cash in hand and pledges of $10 million we expect to receive over the next two years, the board expressed confidence in our ability to move forward,” Father Wild said. The university has more than $68 million of the projected $100 million cost of the total project pledged and will continue aggressive fundraising to complete the entire project as soon as possible, he said.

Tom Ganey, university architect, said the phased approach to construction allows the university to move forward with the funds on hand while continuing to raise funds for the balance of the project.

More information is available online.

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2. Board of Trustees elects chair and new trustee

A business executive with strong retail and financial experience has been elected chair of the Marquette University Board of Trustees. Darren R. Jackson, president and chief executive of Advance Auto Parts, succeeds Mary Ellen Stanek, managing director and director of asset management at Robert W. Baird & Company, who served as chair for three years. 

The Board of Trustees also elected Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, to a three-year term on the board.

A 1986 graduate of the Marquette’s College of Business Administration, Jackson became a trustee in 2004 and was elected vice chair in 2006. “The breadth of Darren’s business experience and his financial acumen are important assets to our Board of Trustees,” Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., said. “He has a strong belief in data-driven progress and exemplifies the Marquette mission of service to others.”

Father Pilarz is a graduate of Georgetown University with master’s degrees from Fordham University and the Weston Jesuit School of Theology and a Ph.D. in English from City University of New York. He has served on the faculties of Georgetown, St. Joseph’s University, Ss. Peter & Paul Seminary and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities representative to the American Council on Education board of directors and serves on the board of Boston College, as well as the boards of other educational and community organizations.

More information is available online.

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3. Wade Lecture to be delivered during theology symposium

Rev. William Kurz, S.J., will deliver the Rev. Francis Wade, S.J., Chair Lecture tomorrow, Sept. 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the Raynor Memorial Libraries’ Beaumier Suites. Kurz will deliver the free, public lecture, “Jesus and His Spirit-filled Disciples, especially Paul, as the Isaian Servant of the Lord in Acts,” in the morning session of the day-long symposium, “Theological Interpretation of Scripture,” sponsored by the departments of Theology and Philosophy. Panels comprised of graduate students and faculty from both departments will respond to Kurz’s lecture.

Kurz, the Wade Chair for fall 2009, has been a professor of theology at Marquette since 1975. He specializes in the critical explanation and interpretation of the New Testament and has authored seven books and monographs and more than 40 scholarly articles.

The symposium is free to attend, but registration is required. Contact Dr. Catharine Malloy, program coordinator, at 8-4022.

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4. Haverford professor to discuss images of Mary Magdalene

Dr. Anne McGuire, Kies family associate professor in the humanities and associate professor of religion at Haverford College, will deliver a lecture Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m., in the Church of the Gesu Parish Center. Her lecture is titled “Re-Imagining Mary Magdalene: Female Disciple, Witness and Icon.” A reception will follow at the Haggerty Museum of Art.

McGuire will discuss images of Mary Magdalene, including Francesco Trevisani’s painting, St. Mary Magdalene in Penitence, which is in the Haggerty’s permanent collection.

The lecture is offered in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette and the 25th anniversary of the Haggerty and is funded with a grant from the Edward D. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund.

The museum is presenting the exhibition Jump Cut Pop featuring works by modern and contemporary artists inspired by the pop art movement through Oct. 4. Featuring more than 50 works, Jump Cut Pop, includes works from the mid-1960s to 2008.

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5. Department of History to host annual Frank L. Klement lecture

The Department of History will host the annual Frank L. Klement lecture Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. in the AMU Monaghan Memorial Ballroom. A reception will precede the lecture, at 6 p.m.

Dr. Allen Guelzo, Luce professor of Civil War era studies/professor of history at Gettysburg College, will address “Colonel Utley’s Emancipation: The Strange Case of President Lincoln and His Bid to Become a Slaveowner.”

Guelzo is the author of numerous books on American intellectual history, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. His publication awards include the Lincoln Prize as well as the Abraham Lincoln Institute Prize for two of his books — Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President and Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America.

The Frank L. Klement Lecture presents the work of historians who continue the Klement tradition of offering alternative views of the Civil War era. Klement joined the Department of History at Marquette University in 1948 and retired 27 years later as professor emeritus.

RSVP online. For more information, contact Christine Wilczynski-Vogel, Law School assistant dean for external affairs at 8-3167.

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6. Honors Program Course proposals due Oct. 2

Honors Program course proposals from all disciplines and colleges are due Friday, Oct. 2. The Honors Program encourages intellectual experimentation and urges faculty to try courses they’ve always wanted to teach.

One particular area of need is HOPR 3955 — the Honors Undergraduate Research Opportunity. The course is intended to provide honors students with an opportunity to conduct, write up and disseminate an original research project with a faculty member.

For more information or a copy of the proposal invitation, e-mail Maria Cooper, assistant director of the Honors Program.

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7. Annex celebration includes iPod Touch giveaway and food samples

The Annex will host a grand-opening celebration Friday, Sept. 25, at 5 p.m. The celebration will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on the street level (corner of 16th & Wells) and continue in the restaurant until 8 p.m. The celebration will feature live music, free samplings of WOW Cafe & Wingery menu items and giveaways every half hour including a $25 Annex gift card and an iPod Touch.

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8. Free Flamenco night includes performances and dance lesson

As part of Latino Heritage Celebration, the Office of Student Development Intercultural Programs will host "A Night of Flamenco" with live music, dance performances and a mini Flamenco Dance Lesson. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place Friday, Sept. 25, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium.

Performers include Al Compas Flamenco Dance Company, Siempre Flamenco, Bob Budny and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Baime.

For information, contact DJ Todd, coordinator for Intercultural Programs, at 8-7205.

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9. Workshop offered for Web-based hybrid teaching

The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Instructional Media Center are offering “Web and MU-based resources for hybrid teaching” Monday, Sept. 28.

The workshop is part of a hybrid teaching series that focuses on developing and teaching hybrid/blended courses. Hybrid courses combine classroom-based and online teaching and learning. A goal of the workshop series is for each participant to prepare an instructional module for use online this coming spring semester. Faculty who attend the six workshops and prepare an online module will receive a certificate of completion. All requirements do not need to be met in one semester. The series will be offered every semester. Space is limited.

Workshops are 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Raynor 320H:

Oct. 26 — Graphic design, assessment and social networking tools
Nov. 9 — Instructional design, blogging and learning communities
Nov. 23 — Project presentations

Register with Dr. Dave Buckholdt, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, at 8-0268.

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10. Dr. Michael Johnson to discuss China and global engineering

Dr. Michael Johnson, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, will present “Research in China and Global Engineering” for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering colloquium Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in Olin Engineering 120.

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11. Faber Center hosting group about energy of compassion

The Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality will host a Spiritual Seeker’s Group: Exploring the Energy of Compassion for Mission beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30. The group will be led by Sister Rhea Emmer, author of Compassion at Work and a national speaker on issues in contemporary spirituality.  

The group will explore the theoretical and practical applications for living compassionately in personal and professional lives. It will meet six times through the year from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Faber Center, Schroeder Complex 111. Light refreshments will be provided.  

RSVP to Dr. Kathy Coffey-Guenther, associate director of the Faber Center, at 8-6672. Space is limited.

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12. Public safety offering self-defense classes

The Department of Public Safety will hold free self-defense classes at 5 p.m.:

• Wednesday, Sept. 30, in AMU 227
• Monday, Oct. 26, in AMU Henke Lounge
• Wednesday, Nov. 18, in AMU 163

The class incorporates national and local crime trends and a hands-on approach and effective techniques with simple strategies for escaping potentially dangerous situations for both males and females.

Register by calling DPS at 8-6800.

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13. Run/walk supports Midnight Run Oct. 2

Midnight Run’s annual Miles for Meals Run/Walk will be held Friday, Oct. 2, in Westowne Square beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event raises funds to support Midnight Run’s outreach to the hungry and homeless in our community. Suggested minimum donation is $15.  

To register and for more information visit Campus Ministry in AMU 236. Walk-up registrations are also welcome.

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14. Libraries highlight cross country at Marquette; post fall newsletter

The Raynor Memorial Libraries’ September “In the Spotlight” features “Over Hill and Dale: Cross Country at Marquette,” featuring some of the coaches and runners in the 87-year-old program. Archived records, such as media guides, statistics, films and interviews can be found in the Department of Special Collections and University Archives on the third floor of Raynor Library.

The Libraries have also posted the fall newsletter, highlighting upcoming events and exhibits, recent acquisitions, new librarian appointments and a message from the dean of libraries.

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15. Financial misconduct can be reported anonymously online

Marquette University values its obligation to its students, faculty, staff and the public to maintain the highest ethical standards. To help maintain those standards, the university offers an anonymous, confidential reporting hotline for reporting activities that may represent financial misconduct.  

Marquette contracts with EthicsPoint to provide a secure server and toll-free hotline, which are not operated by Marquette. This resource may be especially important for members of our community who feel uncomfortable discussing suspected financial misconduct with their colleagues or supervisors.
 
Individuals can report activities online or by calling 1-800-445-7068.

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16. Take shelter during severe weather

Members of the Marquette community are reminded to take shelter immediately when the local emergency sirens sound for severe weather. A tornado warning means that a tornado is in the area and everyone should take immediate shelter, preferably in a basement or below-ground location.

A tornado watch means that conditions are right for a tornado. Continue normal activities but monitor the situation.

For more information, see the Emergency Procedures Guide.

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17. Smoking prohibited within 20 feet of university buildings

Members of the university community are reminded that smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of all building entrances except for those areas officially designated and posted by Facilities Services for smoking. This practice is in accordance with University policy UPP 5-02 and the Wisconsin Clean Air Act 211.

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