AUGUST 16, 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Marquette, pharmaceutical firm AviMed sign licensing agreement

Marquette has completed a licensing agreement with AviMed Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a Milwaukee-based company. Based on 10 years of research into a novel brain mechanism involved in schizophrenia, AviMed is using proprietary technologies to develop pharmaceutical therapies to treat the psychiatric disease.

AviMed was founded by Dr. Behnam Ghasemzadeh, associate professor of biomedical sciences and the company’s president and chief scientific officer, and Dr. Daniel Sem, associate professor of chemistry, who serves as AviMed’s CEO.

Ghasemzadeh studied the novel brain mechanism early in his research career and recognized its involvement in the behaviors of schizophrenia. Targeting the brain mechanism, Ghasemzadeh and Sem are now re-engineering existing pharmaceutical compounds that will ultimately counteract the symptoms of this debilitating psychiatric disease that affects more than 2.4 million people in the U.S.

In June 2009, the venture was awarded second place in the life sciences category of the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Earlier that year, AviMed was also the “Best Overall Plan Runner-Up” in Marquette’s business plan competition, sponsored by the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration.

The licensing agreement with AviMed further bolsters Marquette’s research commercialization efforts, said Keith Osterhage, executive director of Marquette’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. According to Osterhage, the university’s licensing revenue has grown steadily over the past five years, including a 43.7-percent increase from $451,180 in FY09 to $648,267 in FY10.

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2. Registration deadline for New Folks Convocation is today

The Office of Mission and Ministry invites all faculty, staff and administrators hired after Aug. 24, 2009, to New Folks Convocation on Monday, Aug. 23. The day-long program is designed to give newer employees a greater understanding of Marquette University and its values as a Jesuit Catholic University. The registration deadline is today, Aug. 16.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Lynch Lounge outside of the AMU ballroom and concludes with a wine and cheese reception at the Jesuit Residence.

Register with University Special Events at 8-7431.

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3. Adjust parking for convenience of students moving in

As the Marquette community welcomes students for the 2010-11 academic year, employees are asked to adjust their parking locations for the convenience of students moving in:

• Wednesday, Aug. 25, Structure 1 parkers should relocate to levels four, five or six of the 16th Street Structure.

• Wednesday, Aug. 25, Lot D, F, R, RR and Structure 2 parkers should relocate to levels four, five, six or seven of the Wells Street Structure.

• Friday, Aug. 27, Lot D, F, R, RR and Structure 1 and 2 parkers should again use the top four levels of the two parking structures.

• Lot S parkers behind the School of Dentistry are reminded that their lot will be used for overflow parking, and the lot will likely be more congested.

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4. Help welcome new students on Arrival Day

The Office of Residence Life is looking for volunteers to help welcome new students to campus on Arrival Day, Wednesday, Aug. 25. Volunteers can serve as greeters, assist with administrative tasks or help students move into their rooms. Volunteers are welcome to help for an hour, several hours or all day. Contact Rick Arcuri, associate dean for administration, at 8-7208 by Wednesday, Aug. 18, to volunteer or for more information.

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5. Fall 2010 classroom assignments posted in CheckMarq

Access CheckMarq for the most up-to-date fall 2010 course classroom assignments. Once assigned, courses may only be moved for ADA instructor/student issues or if enrollment exceeds assigned room capacity. Fill out the SOC Classroom Change web form and submit it no later than Monday, Aug. 23. to have a classroom assignment changed.

Contact Marie Hegerty, associate registrar, or Robert Whaples office associate, if unable to locate where a course is meeting.

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6. Peace Like a River author visiting AMUW book club; guide available

Leif Enger, the author of Peace Like a River, will participate in an Association of Marquette University Women Fall Book Club discussion Thursday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites. The club is reading Peace Like a River, the 2010 First Year Reading Program selection, and Enger is visiting campus to meet with incoming freshmen. Register online for the book club discussion or with Libby Gard, engagement and external relations office associate, at 8-8440. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Raynor Memorial Libraries have also posted a resource guide for Peace Like a River. The guide includes audio interviews with the author, book reviews and guides, and links to books and articles for exploring themes in the book.

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7. University mourns death of university registrar emeritus

Dr. Roman “Steve” Gawkoski, university registrar emeritus, passed away Aug. 8, 2010.

Gawkoski began his career at Marquette in 1958 as director of testing in the Guidance Center, and also taught statistics in the Department of Psychology. He became assistant registrar in 1959 and was appointed university registrar three years later, serving in that position until he retired in 1993. Gawkoski was named university registrar emeritus in 1994.

Gawkoski earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at St. Louis University, and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York.

Memorials may be made to the Marquette University Student Scholarship Fund or to the Order of the Sisters of St. Dominic at St. Ann Rest Home, 2020 S. Muskego Ave., Milwaukee, 53204.

Expressions of condolence may be sent to his sister:
Genevieve Gawkoski
10200 W. Blue Mound Road, #232
Wauwatosa, WI  53226

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8. Apply for international friendship program by Friday

The Marquette International Friendship Program is seeking participants for the 2010-2011 academic year. The program is designed to encourage interaction between Marquette’s international students and the Milwaukee community. New for 2010-2011 is that the program will have two parts: one-on-one matches and international dining groups.

One-On-One Matches — Friendship families/individuals will be matched one-on-one with an international student and asked to meet with that student regularly, ideally monthly, during the year to learn about each other’s cultures while sharing leisure or family activities. This option does not involve home-stays, just occasional get-togethers.

International Dining Groups — Dining groups are designed to get Marquette’s international students off campus and into local homes to experience a traditional American setting and meal. Volunteers are asked to host a small group of international students for dinner three times during the year. Groups will be different each time so students and families can enjoy multiple experiences.

The application deadline for the One-On-One Match is Friday, Aug. 20. For more information, contact Blake Ward, coordinator of international marketing and communications, at 8-7289.

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9. Rec Center closed until Aug. 23

The Helfaer Rec Center will be closed for maintenance through Sunday, Aug. 22. The cardio courts, tennis courts, racquetball court and basketball courts will reopen Monday, Aug. 23. The weight room will reopen Friday, Aug. 27.

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10. Weight Watchers enrollment meeting Thursday

The Employee Wellness Program is offering a 12-week Weight Watchers at Work Meeting Series beginning with an open house/enrollment meeting Thursday, Aug. 19, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Raynor Library Beaumier Suite A. Cost is $144 and includes eight weeks of Weight Watchers e-tools and a recipe booklet. Cash, checks (with a three-payment option) and major credit cards are accepted.

Since Weight Watchers at Work meetings began at Marquette in July 2009, 13 participants have lost 10 percent of their body weight, 25 have lost 5 percent, and eight have reached their goal weight and are now lifetime members.
 
Meetings are Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. beginning Aug. 26. Locations will vary in the AMU and Raynor Library. A minimum of 15 employees is required.

Contact Mandi Richter, employee wellness coordinator, at 8-4581 for more information.

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11. Al’s Run team registration deadline is Sept. 17

Briggs & Al's Run & Walk for Children's Hospital will take place Saturday, Oct. 9, beginning on the Marquette campus. The registration deadline to join a Marquette team is noon Friday, Sept. 17. To join the general Marquette team or any other Marquette team for the three- or five-mile run/walk, go online. Search “Marquette” and use the password “Marquette.” For more information call 8-3128.

Volunteer opportunities are also available before, during and after the run/walk. Contact Ali Myszewski, assistant director of AMU, at 8-3129 for more information.

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12. TIAA-CREF representatives available for financial counseling

TIAA-CREF consultants will be available to faculty and staff for individual and confidential financial counseling sessions from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, and Friday, Aug. 20, in AMU 362. The session can include overall financial advice, asset allocation, retirement income options, diversifying financial portfolios and learning about mutual funds, brokerage, life insurance and annuities.

Call 1-800-842-2005, ext. 255674, to schedule an appointment.

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13. Discounted Six Flags tickets are available

Human Resources has discounted Six Flags Great America tickets available. General admission tickets, for those age three and older, cost $32 ($54.99 at the gate for adults and $34.99 for children age 3 and older). Children age 2 and under are free. Season passes are also available for $66.94, including tax.

Tickets are available in Human Resources, Straz Tower 185. Call 8-7305 for more information.

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