1. Marquette recognized with Well Workplace Award

Marquette has received a Gold Well Workplace Award from The Wellness Council of America for its employee wellness program. WELCOA recognizes organizations throughout the country with Well Workplace Awards for their commitment to the health and well-being of their employees.

According to WELCOA, Marquette’s Well Workplace Award indicates that the university integrates health promotion into the way the university operates and demonstrates that Marquette is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its employees.

“Our faculty and staff are our most valuable asset,” said Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., president of Marquette. “It is their expertise that allows us to educate our students to become men and women for others. We’ve made it a priority to take care of our employees and create a wellness program that supports our employees’ efforts to improve their own well-being and reduce their health risks.”

Marquette launched its wellness program in January 2009 to develop a culture of health and wellness, promote healthy lifestyle choices for employees and serve as a centralized source of employee wellness information. All employees were surveyed to determine their wellness needs and interests. Wellness programming developed during 2009 included initiatives addressing nutrition, smoking cessation, health management, exercise and stress management, as well as a running group and blood pressure screenings.

2. Two forums for dean candidates this week

Dr. Robert Bishop, Joe J. King Professor of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin, will participate in an open forum as a candidate for OPUS Dean of the College of Engineering from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in AMU 157.

Dr. Jodi O'Brien, the Louis B. Gaffney endowed chair of sociology and chair of anthropology and sociology at Seattle University, will participate in an open forum as a candidate for dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in AMU 157.

Additional open forums for dean candidates will be:

• Dr. David Cohn, director of business informatics at IBM, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, in AMU 163 (engineering).

• Dr. Howard Brown, professor of history at Binghamton University State University of New York, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, in AMU 157 (arts and sciences).

• Dr. Steven Leigh, head and professor of anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 2, in AMU 157 (arts and sciences).

Information on the arts and sciences candidates' backgrounds can be found online.

Information on the Engineering OPUS Dean candidates' backgrounds can be found online.

3. Several Ash Wednesday Masses Feb. 17

Campus Ministry will hold an Ash Wednesday Mass at noon Wednesday, Feb. 17, and a 6 p.m. Ecumenical Service in the AMU Chapel of the Holy Family; and a 9 p.m. Mass in the Church of the Gesu. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at each service. For more information contact Emily Schumacher-Novak, Manresa coordinator liturgy, 8-3058.

Church of the Gesu will hold Masses at 6:15 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the Lower Church, and 11 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Upper Church. A free, simple meal of soup and bread will be served in the Gesu Parish Center after the 11 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses. For more information, contact the Gesu Parish offices at 8-7101.

4. Student issued citation for altercation

A physical altercation occurred between students early Sunday morning in the parking lot adjacent to Schroeder Hall. Marquette's Department of Public Safety was on the scene within minutes and detained a suspect. The injured student was transported to Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital and released by 9 a.m. with what was described as a minor wound. The Milwaukee Police Department also responded to the incident, and a suspect was taken into custody and later released after being issued a municipal citation for assault and battery. University officials are also investigating the incident and will take appropriate disciplinary action, which can include a range of sanctions up to and including suspension and expulsion.

No safety alert was issued to the campus community because the suspect was immediately detained and there was no danger to other students.

5. Former AIG executive to discuss crisis communication

Nicholas Ashooh, Jour 76, former senior vice president for corporate communications at American International Group, will discuss “Crisis Communication: Navigating AIG Through the Storm” Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the AMU ballrooms. The free, public event will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:15 a.m.; the program will start at 7:30. Registration is required and available online.

Ashooh, who in January became vice president of corporate affairs at Alcoa, led AIG’s crisis communication response efforts during the federal bailout of the insurance giant, which many observers deemed “too big to fail.”

Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy and an award-winning journalist, will moderate the discussion, which is sponsored by Alumni Relations.

6. Les Aspin Center hosting foreign aid discussion

The Les Aspin Center for Government Alumni Council will host “Foreign Aid: Helping or Hurting?” Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Marquette 200. Four speakers will discuss the topic of foreign aid as part of the Les Aspin Center’s “The Way Forward” speaker series.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Jeffrey Drope, assistant professor of political science, who has extensively researched African health development and international affairs;

• Dr. Ryan Hanley, associate professor of political science, who is an expert in Adam Smith studies and political philosophy;

• Izete Bagolin, visiting Fulbright scholar in the Department of Economics, who specializes in human development and the economics of developing countries; and

• Susan Schaefer, international delegate to the American Red Cross, who serves on the staff of the southeastern Wisconsin branch of the Red Cross as the program coordinator for disaster service and information management

7. Encounter between missionary women and Palestinian girls to be discussed

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will present "Cultural encounter between American missionary women and Palestinian girls at the American Friends School in Ramallah, Palestine, between 1889 and 1948," Thursday, Feb. 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Lalumiere 292. The presenter, Dr. Enaya Othman, adjunct professor of Arabic, is the president and director of the Arab and Muslim Women Research and Resource Institute.

8. Open Minds event to explore media in democracy

The authors of a new book, The Death and Life of American Journalism, will be the keynote speakers for “Open minds: A day for contemplating the role of media and communication in a democratic society,” Thursday, Feb. 25, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Helfaer Theatre.

Authors Robert McChesney and John Nichols will also host a reception and book signing in the AMU Henke Lounge from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The program, which is sponsored by the J. William and Mary College of Communication, is free and open to the public.

9. Author to speak about achievement of African American students

Dr. Theresa Perry, professor of Africana Studies at Simmons College, will present this year’s Tommy G. Thompson lecture, “Toward a New Conversation about the School Achievement of African American Students.” Perry will speak at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom. Perry received her master’s in theology from Marquette in 1970 and her doctorate in education from Harvard University. She is the author of four books, including Young, Gifted, and Black: Promoting High Achievement Among African-American Students and Teaching Malcolm X: Popular Culture and Literacy.

10. Student recognized for leadership and scholarship by BEYA

NROTC Midshipman Donna Meyer will be honored as a Modern-Day Technology Leader during the 24th annual Black Engineer Year Award STEM conference, Thursday, Feb. 19, in Baltimore. Meyer, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering, was nominated by Marquette’s NROTC unit to recognize her performance and leadership within ROTC and the university at large.

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

Students can win a $200 cash prize for entering Raynor Memorial Libraries’ 13th 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 2009 calendar year are eligible. The submission deadline is Friday, March 5.

12. Dialogue series to explore key diversity issues in Milwaukee

MUSG’s diversity commission will host “At the Intersection: Culture and Segregation” Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. in AMU 254. The program will address the relationship between segregation and culture in Milwaukee, one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. Speakers will include Dr. Heather Hathaway, associate professor of English, and Dr. Michael Monahan, associate professor of philosophy.

“At the Intersection” is a free dinner and dialogue series that addresses prominent diversity issues in today’s society. For more information, e-mail Desiree Valentine, MUSG diversity commissioner.

13. Full-time service opportunities available for graduating seniors

Current volunteers from Public Allies, Summit Educational Association, Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps and Jesuit Volunteer Corps will discuss their experiences and the application and interview process Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in AMU 157.

Contact Laura Furey, graduate assistant for community service and sustainability in the Center for Community Service, at 8-5791 for more information.

14. Psychology, chemistry departments holding seminars

The Department of Psychology will hold a colloquium Thursday, Feb. 18, at 3:30 p.m. in Schroeder Complex 256. Dr John Grych, professor of psychology, will present “Toward a More Comprehensive Model of the Impact of Interparental Conflict on Children.”

The Department of Chemistry will hold a colloquium Friday, Feb. 19, at 4:15 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry 121. Dr. Mark Ratner, professor of chemistry at Northwestern University, will present “Nano and Energy: The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship.”

15. Workshop to address teambuilding in student organizations

The Office of Student Development is hosting “Teambuilding: Create an Effective Progression of Activities to bring your group together” Monday, Feb. 22, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in AMU 163. The workshop will address facilitating a group through teambuilding. Snacks will be provided. RSVP online.

The session is part of “Forward! A Leadership Workshop Series” to help student organization members develop leadership skills and learn effective approaches when managing and working with others.

16. MUTV holding annual singing competition

MUTV is presenting its third annual installment of Marquette Superstar. Contestants must “sing their way into the hearts” of the judges and the Marquette community in this American Idol-style competition. Auditions are tomorrow, Feb. 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third floor of Johnston Hall.

RSVP on Facebook or e-mail MUTV for more information.

17. Qdoba sales to benefit Hunger Clean-Up

Hunger Clean-Up 2010 is hosting a Qdoba night Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., during which a percentage of sales will support grants given to local organizations on the day of Hunger Clean-Up, Saturday, April 17.

Hunger Clean-Up, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary, is the largest service project that Marquette sponsors each year. Groups of students, alumni and faculty are sent to various organizations around Milwaukee, assisting these organizations by providing services such as preparing meals, picking up trash and spending time with their community.

Sign-ups for teams and individual volunteers will be available beginning Tuesday, Feb. 16.

18. Blood drives scheduled

The Graduate School of Management will also host a blood drive Thursday, Feb. 18, from noon to 5 p.m. in the Marquette Graduate School of Management, Straz Hall first floor atrium. Go online to schedule an appointment. Drive ID is DRV0099642.

The Alumni Memorial Union will also host a blood drive Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the AMU ballrooms. Go online to schedule an appointment. Drive ID is DRV0099431.

19. Celebrating women at Marquette — female Olympians

The experience of competing in the Olympic games remains the distinct privilege of only the greatest athletes — including women from Marquette. Want to know more? Go to the Centennial Celebration of Women Web site. A new note will be featured each week.

In 1909, Marquette became the first Catholic university in the world to offer coeducation as part of its regular undergraduate program. To help honor the centennial, a year-long series of historical notes highlighting turning-point moments and figures in Marquette’s collaborative past is running in News Briefs.