1. Philosophy lecture to address African conception of equality

Dr. Nkiru Nzegwu, professor of Africana studies and the graduate program of philosophy, interpretation and culture at SUNY-Binghamton, will present “Engaging an African Conception of Equality,” tomorrow, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m. in the John P. Raynor, S.J., Beaumier Conference Center. Nzegwu will examine equality from a dual-symmetrical, dual-sex system of a sociopolitical scheme. A reception will follow in Coughlin 135.

The lecture is sponsored by the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, the Africana Studies Program and the Department of Philosophy.

2. Author Charles Payne to speak on urban education reform

Dr. Charles Payne, professor of social service administration at the University of Chicago, will present this year’s Tommy G. Thompson lecture, “Urban School Reform in the Age of Obama: What Can We Expect? What Should We Hope for?” Payne will speak at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom.

Payne studies urban education and reform, social inequality, social change and modern African-American history. He has authored several books, including So Much Reform, So Little Change and Teach Freedom: The African-American Tradition of Education For Liberation.

3. Lecture to address Luther studies in a Catholic context

Dr. Markus Wriedt, distinguished professor of historical theology and a Reformation historian, will present “‘We’ve said nothing new!’ Luther on Tradition and Innovation,” Thursday, March 5, at 4 p.m. in Straz Hall 105. A discussion will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

Wriedt takes Luther’s claim, that he had not said anything new, as the leading principle of his theology and his attempts to reform the Church. Wriedt will discuss why the Church was divided even though Luther was both conservative and Catholic.

4. Public spaces and sense of community is topic of lecture

The College of Professional Studies will host “Building on Hope — A Grace for Public Spaces,” Friday, March 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 7, from 8 a.m. to noon in AMU Ballroom E.

Urban architect David Greusel and Eric O. Jacobsen, author of Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith, will explore how society uses public spaces to influence our sense of community.

This event is free and open to the public.

RSVP to Laura Furey, graduate assistant, at 8-6010.

5. Students can win $200 for an A-grade paper

Students can win a $200 cash prize for entering Raynor Memorial Libraries’ 12th Maria Dittman Research Paper Competition, which recognizes the importance of effective library research. $200 prizes will be awarded in freshman/sophomore, junior/senior and graduate/professional categories. All A-grade research papers written during the 2008 calendar year are eligible. The submission deadline is Friday, March 6.

6. Cash prizes available in bookmark competition

The Spirit of Ignatius Committee is sponsoring the 2009 Student Bookmark Competition, “iAct: Consequences of Faith.” The top three designs will be awarded prizes, with the first place winner receiving $300, second place receiving $150 and third place receiving $50.

Bookmark designs should incorporate the theme and measure 2 inches by 8.5 inches. Copyrighted quotations and visuals used as part of the design must be attributed.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 20. Entries must include the applicant’s name and phone number. Send designs to:

Alumni Relations
c/o Spirit of Ignatius Committee
500 N. 19th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53201

Or, e-mail designs to Martha Moore, senior alumni relations officer. Call 8-0398 for more information.

7. Survey participants can win $100 gift card

A random sample of undergraduates received an e-mail Monday, Feb. 23, from NCHA-Web@acha.org, requesting participation in the National College Health Assessment. The assessment assists college health providers, health educators, counselors and administrators in collecting data about student perceptions on the most prevalent health topics. Participation in the assessment is strictly confidential.

Survey participants will be entered into a drawing to win several prizes including gift cards to Target and MU Cash. Contact Amy Melichar, coordinator of health education and promotion, at 8-5217, for more information.

The survey has been approved by the Online Survey Committee.

8. Study abroad application deadline is Monday

The deadline to apply for summer and fall 2009 study abroad programs is Monday, March 2. Marquette has dozens of short-term, semester and year-long study abroad programs throughout the world.

9. Applications for McNair Scholars Program due March 2

The McNair Scholars Program is accepting applications from eligible undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate study. Students accepted to the program will participate in an eight-week summer research experience and receive a $2,800 stipend. The program also offers GRE preparation, visits to area graduate schools and participation in national and regional research conferences.

To qualify, students must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have completed 60 credits by the end of the spring 2009 semester.

Applications are available online and due Monday, March 2. For more information, contact the McNair Program Office at 8-1771.

10. “Sample the Soups” to benefit Hunger Clean-Up

Hunger Clean-Up’s annual “Sample the Soups” will take place Wednesday, March 4, from noon to 2 p.m. in the AMU Ballrooms. Soups donated by local soup establishments include black bean chili and tomato bisque as well as vegetarian and vegan soups. Participants will also have the opportunity to take home a handmade bowl from local schools.

Live music will be provided by student musicians and the winning entry from the 2008 Reel Poverty Film Festival will be shown. The 2008 festival focused on hunger and homelessness through short documentaries made by Marquette students. This year’s festival will be held during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week on Thursday, April 16.

A suggested donation of $5 to $10 will benefit the 20th annual Hunger Clean-up.

11. RHA accepting applications for executive board

Residence Hall Association is now accepting applications for its 2009-10 executive board. Applications for president, vice president and national communications coordinator are due Friday, Feb. 27. Applications for treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian and publicity coordinator are due Friday, March 27. Executive board members receive a stipend each semester.

For more information or an application, e-mail RHA or Vice President Mike Muratore.

12. College of Engineering offering classes for young students

The College of Engineering is offering engineering academies for students ages 8 through 18 this semester, covering basic engineering principles, robotics and physics:

• “The Physics of CARS!” — Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ages 8 to 16. Students learn the physics of cars and build cars powered by pneumatics, rubber bands, mousetraps, motors, propellers and solar energy.

• “Civil Engineering — Trusses, Bridges & Towers” — Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ages 8 to 16. Students design wooden trusses, bridges and towers and a model home that will be tested for earthquake endurance.

In addition to the Saturday sessions, the College of Engineering will also offer week-long classes during spring break, April 13-17. Registration and additional information are available online.

13. Sidewalks and parking limited around Zilber Hall

There will be limited sidewalk and parking lane access around the Zilber Hall construction site beginning Monday, March 2. A crane will work its way around the structure to erect the pre-cast concrete panels that will be attached to the exterior, serving as the building façade.

This construction phase is expected to be completed by April 27.