FEBRUARY 9, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Marquette researchers receive grants from area consortium
Four Marquette researchers are among the 25 individuals receiving the first grants awarded by the Southeastern Wisconsin Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Receiving grants are:
• Dr. John LaDisa, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, working with Dr. W. Dennis Foley of the Medical College of Wisconsin and Vito Gervasi from MSOE on “Computational Cardiology: Translating theoretical and subject-specific computation fluid dynamic results into a novel stent;
• Dr. Sandra Hunter, assistant professor of exercise science, and Manda Keller, graduate assistant in the Department of Physical Therapy, working with Merle Orr and Dr. Gunnar Larson from MCW on “The Influence of Traumatic Stress Disorder on Motor Impairment in Veterans;” and
• Dr. Craig Struble, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, with Dr. Soumitra Ghosh from MCW on “Scaling up Computation Tools for Genome Wide Association Studies.”
The CTSI is a partnership of all of the major academic institutions in the region — Marquette, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, as well as Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Zablocki VA Medical Center and Blood Center of Wisconsin. Formed in 2008, the institute is developing an infrastructure to enable researchers from various institutions to collaborate and to compete for federal grants.
“This first round of grants is indicative of the collaborative nature and impact of CTSI,” said Dr. William Wiener, vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School at Marquette. “We want to facilitate and foster the continuum of research from bench to bedside and to the community and practice.”
2. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performing on campus tomorrow
The Diederich College of Communication, the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and Gesu Church will present a free concert by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Lucas Richman tomorrow, Feb. 10, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Gesu Church. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The Marquette University Chorus will perform around 7 p.m.
3. Implementation of Milwaukee’s Sick Leave Ordinance postponed
Milwaukee County Judge Thomas Cooper granted a temporary injunction Friday, Feb. 6, delaying the implementation of the city’s sick leave ordinance. The ordinance, which was scheduled to take effect tomorrow, Feb. 10, requires employers in the City of Milwaukee to provide a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked — up to a maximum of 72 hours of sick leave in a calendar year.
As a result of the injunction, student employees will not begin accruing sick leave until such time as the ordinance becomes effective.
As one of Milwaukee’s largest private employers, Marquette University is subject to the ordinance, and various offices within the university had been preparing for the record-keeping changes that may be required.
4. Nigerian professor to describe African impact on the United States
“The African Impact on the United States” is the topic of the 2009 Ralph H. Metcalfe Sr. Lecture. Dr. Toyin Falola, a distinguished teaching professor at the University of Texas at Austin, will speak at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 10, in AMU 227. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Falola is the Frances Higginbotham Nalle Centennial Professor in History and a fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Letters. He has also written a number of books, including Key Events in African History: A Reference Guide; Nationalism and African Intellectuals; and A Mouth Sweeter than Salt.
5. Marquette named to Presidential Honor Roll For Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service has named Marquette to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities. Marquette was further recognized as one of 83 universities named to the Honor Roll With Distinction, the second-highest achievement category.
The Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement, according to the corporation. Honorees for the award were chosen based on factors such as scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering.
6. Van Vechten scholar to speak today
Raynor Library’s Special Collections and Archives will launch a new digital collection, “Carl Van Vechten’s African American Photographs and the Karl Priebe Legacy,” today, Feb. 9, featuring more than 700 portraits made by author, critic and amateur photographer Carl Van Vechten. Today’s launch coincides with the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Bruce Kellner, a Van Vechten scholar and author of his biography, will provide remarks at 7 p.m. in Raynor Library. The event is co-sponsored by the departments of English and history.
7. The Heidi Chronicles being presented at Helfaer Theatre
Wendy Wasserstein’s play The Heidi Chronicles will be presented by the Department of Performing Arts at the Evan P. & Marion Helfaer Theatre beginning Thursday, Feb. 12.
The Heidi Chronicles follows the journey of Heidi Holland, an intellectual art historian, through the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s as she searches for personal fulfillment.
The play will run:
• Thursday, Feb. 12, through Saturday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2:30 p.m.
Ticket prices for the general public range from $5 to $18 and can be purchased from the theatre box office at 8-7504. Discounted tickets are available for senior citizens and Marquette students.
8. Sick leave ordinance to be discussed at Law School
The debate over Milwaukee’s proposed sick leave ordinance will be the next topic of “On the Issues” with Mike Gousha tomorrow, Feb. 10, at 12:15 p.m. in Sensenbrenner 325. Amy Stear, the Wisconsin director of the 9to5 National Association of Working Women, and Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, will discuss the ordinance with Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy.
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce is challenging the ordinance, which requires Milwaukee employers to provide their employees with up to nine paid sick days each calendar year. Supporters say the sick leave ordinance will improve the lives of families and workers, while critics argue it will seriously damage Milwaukee’s ability to attract and retain businesses.
Register online.
9. State Department rep to discuss jobs, internships
Brian Flora, diplomat-in-residence at the University of Illinois-Chicago, will speak about obtaining a job or internship with the State Department or Foreign Service on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in AMU 163.
Flora will also be at the WorkForce Career Fair the same day, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students interested in taking the Foreign Service exam can make a one-on-one appointment by calling the Career Services Center at 8-7423.
10. Chemistry department to hold colloquium
The Department of Chemistry will hold a colloquium Friday, Feb. 13, at 4:15 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry 121. Dr. Phil Hajduk, senior project leader of structural biology and lead discovery at Abbott Laboratories, will present "From Fragment to Clinic: Fragment-based Drug Design of Bcl-xL and Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors.”
11. Graduate programs in engineering hosting information session
The Graduate School and College of Engineering will host an information session for graduate programs in engineering Thursday, Feb. 12, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Triangle Lounge on the first floor of Haggerty Hall.
Representatives from each participating graduate engineering department — biomedical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and engineering management — will be present.
A Graduate School representative will also be available to answer questions about applying for graduate studies. Refreshments will be provided, and there will also be door prizes.
For more information, contact Carl Wainscott, assistant director for recruitment.
12. Law School to hold information session
The Law School will host an information session for prospective students Friday, Feb. 13, at 12:30 p.m. in Sensenbrenner 210. The session will provide information about admissions and financial aid, curriculum and intellectual and student life. A brief tour of the Law School will be led by a current law student. No registration is necessary.
13. Latin America study session being offered
An information session for students interested in studying in Latin America will be held Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. in the Office of International Education Program Center, AMU 407.
For more information, contact Alejandra Salinas.
14. Free showing of The Corporation film Thursday
The student organization JUSTICE will host a free showing of the award-winning film The Corporation Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in Cramer 37. The film explores the nature and rise of the dominant institution of our time.
15. Taizé Prayer offered this week
Campus Ministry and Catholics for Peace and Justice will host a Taizé Prayer for Peace on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Taizé prayer mixes scripture readings and music in a meditative environment for a sense of unity and peace. Music for the prayer will be led by members of the Marquette University Liturgical Choir.
For more information, contact Gerry Fischer, assistant director of campus ministry, at 8-3687.
1. Marquette researchers receive grants from area consortium
2. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performing on campus tomorrow
3. Implementation of Milwaukee’s Sick Leave Ordinance postponed
4. Nigerian professor to describe African impact on the United States
5. Marquette named to Presidential Honor Roll For Community Service
6. Van Vechten scholar to speak today
7. The Heidi Chronicles being presented at Helfaer Theatre
8. Sick leave ordinance to be discussed at Law School
9. State Department rep to discuss jobs, internships
10. Chemistry department to hold colloquium
11. Graduate programs in engineering hosting information session
12. Law School to hold information session
13. Latin America study session being offered
14. Free showing of The Corporation film Thursday
15. Taizé Prayer offered this week
News Briefs is published for Marquette students, faculty and staff every Monday and Thursday, except during summer and academic breaks when only the Monday edition is published. The deadline for the Monday edition is noon Friday. The deadline for the Thursday edition is noon Wednesday. Highest priority notices as determined by university leadership are also sent periodically.
To comment, ask a question or submit news to share, e-mail, call 8-6712 or send your note in campus mail to News Briefs, Office of Marketing and Communication. Please review the submission guidelines before sending news items. Past issues of News Briefs are available online.