1. Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is Friday

Marquette’s annual Miracle on Central Mall will be Friday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. in front of St. Joan of Arc Chapel. This year’s theme is “Jingle Bell Rock: WILD about Christmas.” The evening will include the tree lighting and blessing by Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., and Christmas carols and reflections from representatives of the International Learning Center. A social will follow on the Raynor Library bridge with hot cocoa, cider and cookies.

2. University mourns the death of Hank Raymonds

Hank Raymonds, a successful coach and administrator at Marquette, passed away early this morning after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Please remember Raymonds, his family and friends in prayer.

In more than 25 years at Marquette, Raymonds served as the program's 10th head men's basketball coach, athletic director and assistant coach under Al McGuire and Eddie Hickey.

Raymonds, who played under Hickey at St. Louis University, joined Hickey's staff at Marquette in 1961, where he remained when McGuire took the program's reigns in 1964. Perhaps the most indelible image of Raymonds' career was him sitting with his arm draped over McGuire's shoulder following the Warriors' victory in the 1977 NCAA National Championship game over North Carolina.

After Marquette captured the national title, Raymonds succeeded McGuire as Marquette's head coach, a position he would hold until 1983. He was inducted into Marquette's M Club Hall of Fame in 1996 and is also a member of the Wisconsin Athletic, Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association and the St. Louis University Sports Halls of Fame.

3. Cancer pain at the end of life is topic of tomorrow’s nursing lecture

Dr. Judith Paice will present “The War on Cancer Pain — Making a Difference at the End of Life” for the James J. Wake Memorial Lecture tomorrow, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. in Clark 111. Paice is director of the Cancer Pain Program in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and a research professor of medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Much of Paice’s clinical work has been in the relief of pain associated with cancer and HIV disease. Her research interests include adverse effects associated with pain medications and quality improvement measures to foster pain relief.

The lecture is presented by the Institute for End of Life Care Education at Marquette’s College of Nursing in memory of James Wake, late husband of former Marquette Provost Madeline Wake, who is now Raynor Chair and university professor. James Wake was a chaplain who devoted his career to helping others through social work and chaplaincy. As chaplain, he specialized in end-of-life ministry.

4. Poster session and colloquy focuses on future research

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will host a Forward Thinking Poster Session and Colloquy Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the AMU ballrooms. The event will celebrate collaborative faculty and student research to take place in the next 12 months. The program will begin with a brief address by Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School.

Poster and oral presentations will include research in the humanities, behavioral and cognitive sciences, social and economic sciences, engineering, computer and information sciences, education, math and physical sciences, medical and health sciences, nursing, business, law, biological and biomedical sciences and interdisciplinary research.

A reception will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

5. Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus names new provincial

Rev. Thomas Lawler, S.J., has been appointed the next provincial of the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus by Very Reverend Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus. The appointment will take effect at the tri-province gathering in Cincinnati in June 2011.

Father Lawler, who is also a Marquette University trustee, became vocation director for the province in 2006. As provincial, Lawler will be responsible for the ministries sponsored by the Society of Jesus in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. His other major responsibility is for the Jesuits residing in this six-state area who teach at the two universities, three high schools and three Nativity-style schools as well as the Jesuits who work with Native American ministry, pastoral ministry, retreat ministry and social ministry. Father Lawler will also collaborate with the other eight American provincials in national planning for the mission and ministry of the Society of Jesus in the United States.

6. Graduation caps and gowns to be picked up Dec. 14-15

Caps and gowns for December graduates will be available for pick-up Tuesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, in AMU 227. No preordering was required and graduation apparel is free of charge. If graduates cannot pick up apparel, friends or relatives may pick it up as long as they have the graduate’s name, college, degree and height.

Caps and gowns will not be distributed at the Mid-Year Commencement ceremony at the U.S. Cellular Arena on Dec. 19.

For more information, contact University Special Events at 8-7431.

7. Vocations and life purpose to be discussed

The Office of Student Development is hosting “Connections and Callings,” a speaker series connecting members of the Marquette and the Milwaukee communities to engage in conversations about vocation and life purpose.

Reflecting on "What Makes You Come Alive?" will be Gerald Fischer, assistant director of campus ministry Wednesday Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in Raynor Beaumier Suites BC. Refreshments will be provided.

8. $8,000 scholarships available through ministry and service program

An informational meeting about the Manresa Scholars Program will be held Thursday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. AMU 231.

The program is for juniors and seniors interested in exploring Christian ministry and service, combining field experience in the Milwaukee community with Ignatian spirituality and reflection. It requires eight to 10 hours of service per week, weekly meetings with Manresa scholars, individual spiritual direction and an annual retreat. Participants receive an $8,000 scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year.

For more information, contact Gretchen Baumgardt, assistant director of campus ministry, at 8-6873.

9. Tell us about interesting December graduates by Thursday

The Office of Marketing and Communication is seeking stories about December 2010 graduates for possible use with area media. Graduates with unusual backgrounds; who overcame substantial obstacles in getting their degree; who will be doing something unusual after graduation; with recent national-level exclusive awards, academic recognition, publications or scholarship; etc. are some ideas that would be appropriate.

What graduates do you know who have fascinating stories to tell? E-mail their names and plenty of details by Thursday, Dec. 9.

10. Fair trade fair taking place this week

The student organization JUSTICE will host its annual Fair Trade Holiday Fair on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the AMU Ballrooms. Items for sale include Christmas ornaments, tea, coffee, hats, mittens, handicrafts, purses, bags and more.

11. Buzz Williams appearing at Spirit Shop on Wednesday

Men's Head Basketball Coach Buzz Williams will meet members of the Marquette community at the Spirit Shop’s Christmas sale Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

12. Math and chemistry departments hosting colloquiums

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science will hold a colloquium Friday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m. in Cudahy 401. Dr. Michael Papka, interim division director at Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, will present “Efforts to Enable Analysis at the Petascale.”

The Department of Chemistry will host a colloquium Friday, Dec. 10, at 4:15 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry 121. Dr. Preston Snee, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will present “Synthesis and functionalization of novel, emissive semiconductor nanocrystals.”