1. Father Wild invites honorary degree nominations

From Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J.:

Each year Marquette University celebrates its values and commitment to excellence by awarding honorary degrees and including in its graduating class a number of outstanding individuals recognized for their scholarship and exceptional achievements. I am asking for your help in identifying future honorary degree recipients.

Because the great majority of honorary degrees are awarded to individuals nominated by you, the Marquette community, I ask you to thoughtfully consider an individual we might so recognize. That person may have demonstrated leadership in a profession or provided exemplary service to society. In all cases there must be an appropriateness of the nominees to the distinctive mission and values of Marquette University. Since honorary degrees are not awarded in absentia or posthumously, it is also helpful to know that if an invitation is offered, this nominee will be likely to accept Marquette’s invitation.

Marquette will celebrate the Centennial of Women in the 2009-2010 academic year. In light of the fact that this was the first Catholic university in the world to enroll both women and men, I ask that you give particular thought to women nominees. Because of this important milestone in Marquette’s history, I ask that the Committee on University Honors make a special effort to consider women nominees. As part of the Centennial Celebration of Women, I hope that we will be able to recognize a slate of women honorees at Commencement in 2010.

Nominations will be considered by the Committee on University Honors. Should you make a nomination, it should take the form of a letter or e-mail of support explaining why it would be appropriate for Marquette to honor this particular person. It should include some basic biographical information, a short account of the individual’s principal accomplishments, and a clear rationale for recognition by Marquette University. Please direct your questions and nomination, which may be submitted by e-mail, to Chad Oldfather, chair of the Committee on University Honors and associate professor of law, by April 17.

Individuals whom the Board of Trustees approves for an honorary degree may, for a variety of reasons, not be able to accept it with the next graduating class. Once approved by the trustees, an offer may be extended at some point over a five-year period that is mutually agreeable to both the individual and Marquette.

You may find it helpful to review the names of previous honorary degree recipients. Thank you for your help in identifying potential honorary degree recipients. The quality of your nominations allows us to showcase in a very public way the embodiment of excellence, faith, leadership and service that are the hallmarks of our mission statement.

2. Women’s basketball team continues WNIT play tonight

The women's basketball team will take on Illinois State in the third round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament today, March 23, at 7 p.m. in Normal, Ill.

The team defeated Butler 58-49 in the second round on Monday to advance.

3. Registration for leadership conference due tomorrow

The 2009 Women's Leadership Conference will take place on Saturday, April 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the AMU ballrooms, featuring nine panel discussions involving women in professional fields. Panelists include community leaders and professionals, as well as Marquette faculty and administrators. Dr. Susan Douglas, professor and chair of communications studies at the University of Michigan, will deliver the keynote address.

The event is free and open to all Marquette students.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register by tomorrow, March 27. Contact the Office of Student Development at 8-7205 for more information.

4. Philosophy department hosting speakers, conference

Dr. Christopher Stephens, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia, will present “Scientific Philosophy and Skepticism,” at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, March 28. The presentation is the keynote address for an annual conference hosted by the Department of Philosophy that starts at 9 a.m. in AMU 157. The conference is free for undergraduate students and costs $10 for graduate students and $25 for faculty, staff and professionals. Pre-registration is not required.

The philosophy and theology departments will also host Dr. Thomas Schmidt, professor of philosophy of religion at Goethe-University in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, who will present “Religion in the Post-Secular Society: Habermas on Religious Beliefs and their Secular Translation” Tuesday, March 31, at 4 p.m. in AMU 254.

5. Dr. Joseph Salmons to discuss English in Wisconsin

The Linguistics Club will host Dr. Joseph Salmons, professor of German at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for a talk on Wisconsin English, Monday, March 30, at 8:30 p.m. in Lalumiere 176. Salmon's talk will focus on the dialectal use of English in Wisconsin, language changes going on in the region and the influence of German and other languages on the Wisconsin regional dialects.

The event is free and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

6. “Active Minds” founder to speak about mental health awareness

Alison Malmon will tell her story of how she started Active Minds, Inc. to increase student awareness of mental health issues Tuesday, March 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry 100. Active Minds is the only organization in the country dedicated to using the student voice to raise mental health awareness on college campuses. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Malmon began Active Minds in 2001 at the University of Pennsylvania following the suicide of her older brother Brian. Active Minds has grown into a well-recognized entity with more than 150 campus chapters, becoming the voice of young adult mental health advocacy nationwide.

7. Follow up to “Teaching About Islam” taking place next week

A follow up discussion to the “Teaching About Islam” workshop will take place Tuesday, March 31, from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Raynor Memorial Libraries’ Beaumier Conference Center. Dr. Louise Cainkar, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences; Dr. Phillip Naylor, associate professor of history; Dr. Irfan Omar, assistant professor of theology; and Dr. Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, will lead a discussion about the academic study of Islam.

8. Author Peter Turchi to discuss “writer as cartographer”

Author Peter Turchi will discuss his book Maps of the Imagination: The Writer as Cartographer Thursday, April 2, at 4 p.m. at the Haggerty Museum of Art.

Maps of the Imagination: The Writer as Cartographer, published in 2004, examines the relationship between an author’s ability to guide a reader through a fictional narrative and the way a mapmaker charts the physical world. In addition to receiving the Outstanding Academic Titles 2005 award by Choice Magazine, Maps of the Imagination has also won seven design awards for its unique illustrations, including a silver medal in the Stiftung Buchkunst International Design competition.

This event is sponsored by the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Student Development, the Department of English and the Marquette Writing Society.

9. Student media receive awards

The Marquette Tribune and the Marquette Journal recently won several local and regional journalism awards, including best student magazine for the journal and best podcast and best Web site design for the tribune.

The Society of Professional Journalists named the journal the top student magazine in Region 6, which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Other first place wins for the journal were best photo illustration (Kevin Kozicki) and the tribune for general column writing (Megan Hren) and sports column writing (Robby Douthitt). Results of the national awards will be announced later this year.

The Milwaukee Press Club also awarded the journal the best feature story (Milwaukee’s Best by Greg Shutters) and the tribune first place awards for Web design and podcasts for the Trib Trio feature.

Both the journal and tribune also received several second and third place honors from both organizations. More can be found on the journal’s Web site and the tribune’s Web site.

10. Film screening examines war on drugs

The student organization Young Americans for Liberty is hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary American Drug War: the Last White Hope, today from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Lalumiere 176. The film examines the human costs of America’s war on drugs, which has put one million Americans behind bars. Refreshments will be provided.

11. “Make Your Own Late Night” is tomorrow

The Office of Student Development will sponsor “Make Your Own Late Night” tomorrow, March 27, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the AMU. The event includes activities and crafts; make your own stuffed animals; balloon animals with Rev. John Naus, S.J.; origami; knitting; drawing classes; and a performance by Magdalen Hsu-Li.

Hsu-Li’s "Smashing the Ceiling" performance at 10 p.m. will touch on topics such as redefining identity, diversity and the intersection between race, gender and the arts.

The “Late Night” event will also include “Iron Chef Marquette,” in which teams of Marquette students compete in a culinary cook-off at 7:30 p.m. in Marquette Place, AMU. Spectators can enjoy free snacks and the chance to win prizes.

The Center for Health Education and Promotion, Student Health Service, MUSG, Campus Dining Services, Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority and Intercultural Programs are co-sponsoring this event.

12. MUSG accepting leadership applications

Marquette University Student Government is accepting applications for leadership positions for the 2009-2010 academic year. Positions include administrative assistant, communication vice president, controller, creative director, financial office assistant, graphic design assistant, judicial administrator, legislative clerk, multimedia assistant, multimedia director, parliamentarian, photography assistant, public relations assistant, public relations director, receptionist, senior speaker coordinator and student advocate.

Applications are available online and in the MUSG Office, AMU 133.

Applications for communications vice president are due Monday, March 30, at 5 p.m. All other applications are due Friday, April 3, at 5 p.m.

13. Campus Ministry hosting reconciliation service

Campus Ministry will offer a Lenten reconciliation service Monday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. The service, “Return to the Lord,” will take place in the Chapel of the Holy Family, AMU.

For more information, contact Emily Schumacher, Manresa intern, at 8-6873.

14. Neuroscience center hosting colloquium

The Integrative Neuroscience Research Center will host Dr. Aaron Roseberry, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, to present "Altered Activity of Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathways in Obese, Leptin-Deficient Mice.” His lecture will take place Tuesday, March 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. in Schroeder Complex 256.

15. Graduate School of Management holding information sessions

The Graduate School of Management will hold information sessions covering curriculum, admissions requirements, application process and other information in April. Each session begins with a reception before the presentation:

Tuesday, March 31, 5:30 p.m. — Executive MBA program, College of Business Administration Executive Center, Straz Hall, second floor. A light lunch will be provided.

Wednesday, April 1, 5:30 p.m. — Waukesha MBA Program, at MRA, the management association, N19 W24400 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha.

Thursday, April 2, 5 p.m. — On-campus MBA and MS programs, College of Business Administration Executive Center, Straz Hall, second floor.

To RSVP or for more information, call 8-7145 or e-mail.

16. $7 massages at Massage-A-Thon

Physical therapy students are holding a Massage-A-Thon through Friday, April 17, on the third floor of Schroeder Health Complex.

Hours are Mondays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursdays noon to 9 p.m.; and Fridays noon to 6 p.m.

Cost is $7 for each 15 minutes up to one hour. Appointments can be scheduled online. Walk-ins are also welcome.

17. Public safety holding self-defense classes

The Department of Public Safety will hold a free self-defense class Monday, March 30, at 5 p.m. in AMU 157. The class incorporates national and local crime trends, and a hands-on approach and effective techniques for escaping potentially dangerous situations for both males and females.