1. College of Engineering receives $5 million gift for faculty chair

An alumni couple have donated $5 million to the College of Engineering to establish an endowed chair in electrical engineering, Opus Dean of Engineering Robert Bishop announced today.

V. Clayton and Beverly Lafferty, who now live in Minneapolis, are 1950 graduates of the College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences, respectively. Clay Lafferty, 85, grew up in Iowa and spent much of his professional career as the head of research and development at United Parcel Service. He holds several patents and created the hub system used to support the company’s package delivery and logistics business. He also developed the prototype for the smart pad used by the company for tracking and delivery confirmation.

“We’re proud of our Marquette educations,” Mrs. Lafferty said. “When we were able to begin contributing financially, we agreed education was one priority.”

Bishop said the couple’s generosity extended to all aspects of the college’s transformation, including endowing the Lafferty Professorship in Engineering and the Elizabeth and Ray Lafferty Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Clay Lafferty’s parents. They also contributed to the building fund for the college’s new Engineering Hall. The Micro Sensors Research Laboratory will be named in honor of the Laffertys.

Bishop said a search for the Lafferty Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is already underway, with a focus on “a scholar and educator with an international reputation” and expertise in smart sensor systems.

2. Opening celebration for new engineering building is Friday

The College of Engineering will celebrate the opening of its new $50 million facility, Engineering Hall, Friday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. The campus community is invited to tour the building and hear speakers, including Marquette President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., and Opus Dean of Engineering Robert Bishop. The ceremony will take place in a tent south of Engineering Hall, 1637 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Engineering Hall was planned to illustrate engineering principles, according to Bishop. “This building is a form of art, combining function with aesthetics,” he said. “The details of the 115,000-square-foot building — from the exterior design and front canopy to the stained and polished concrete floors, from the LED lighting to the experimental green roof – are designed to display engineering.”

Bishop emphasized that Engineering Hall is not just a building — he called it a “platform for the transformation taking place inside.” He said, “Today’s engineers must be problem-solvers, creative thinkers, innovators. They need to understand business and be able to communicate. We’re changing the way we educate engineers and the new building reflects those changes. It’s organized not by departments but by the key engineering challenges we face as a global society — clean water, safe roads, efficient energy and healthy families.”

The new building is the first of a two-part initiative, with a 135,000-square-foot, $50 million second phase addition already designed and fundraising underway.

3. $20,000 Teaching Enhancement Award applications being accepted

The submission guidelines for the 2012-13 Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Awards are now available. Applications are due Dec. 2, 2011.

This annual award is given to a team of two or more faculty to develop, implement and evaluate a specific teaching project. One award of up to $20,000 will be given to the selected project team for one fiscal year. The award fosters improvement in student learning within specific courses or clusters of courses. Projects for 2012-13 that feature innovations that promote high-impact educational practices — such as undergraduate research, collaborative/interdisciplinary projects and capstone courses — are of particular interest.

4. Biometric screening scheduling for HRAs begins today

Online scheduling for the biometric screening portion of the health risk assessment begins today, Oct. 3. Appointments, which are available Oct. 24 to Nov. 18 to all employees whether they enroll in the Marquette health plan or not, can also be made by calling 1-877-765-3213 and pressing “1.”

New this year is that employees who complete the two-part health risk assessment will receive a 10-percent discount on the employee portion of their 2012 medical premium, an increase from the 5-percent discount that was previously offered.

Biometric screenings completed with a primary care provider are also eligible if completed between July 1 and Nov. 18. The primary care provider can complete the Health Risk Assessment Primary Care Provider Form and submit it to Aurora Health Care (contact information provided on the form) by Nov. 18. All screening information is confidential.

Participation in the HRA includes the biometric screening and completion of an online health questionnaire after the screening. Upon completion of both parts of the HRA, employees will be eligible to receive the 10 percent discount, starting Jan. 1, 2012.

The benefits enrollment period will begin with Benefits Information and Wellness Day on Monday, Oct 24, and run through Friday, Nov. 11.

Everyone choosing a medical plan, even if previously enrolled, must re-enroll at myjob.mu.edu. Those participating in a flexible spending account re-enroll annually.

Watch your home mailbox for the benefits information packet, which is expected to arrive the week of Oct. 10.

5. Flu vaccinations available

Influenza vaccinations (injectable) will be available to students, faculty and staff at several sessions beginning Wednesday, Oct. 5. This year's vaccination is combined to cover both the seasonal and H1N1 flu strains.

Employee spouses and dependents are also eligible for vaccinations. Cost is $20 per person. Employees and dependents participating in the Marquette health plan are eligible to receive reimbursement for their flu shot. Those eligible pay for the shot at the time of vaccination and Marquette University will submit for reimbursement on their behalf. The reimbursement levels will vary based on the health insurance plan (EPO coverage is 100 percent; PPO is 80 percent).

Flu clinics are:

• Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., AMU second floor lobby
• Monday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., AMU second floor lobby
• Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cobeen Hall lobby
• Monday, Oct. 24, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., AMU second floor lobby
• Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., AMU first floor lobby

Clinics are administered by the Student Health Service in collaboration with the College of Nursing and Department of Human Resources.

The Marquette Neighborhood Health Center is also offering the combined influenza vaccine, both injectable (for ages 6 months and older) and nasal mist (for ages 2 to 49 years) for $40. Both are covered by MU insurance with no co-pay — insurance is billed directly. Call 933-9100 for an appointment. Appointments are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and some Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

6. Challenges of religious pluralism to be discussed tonight

Dr. John Esposito, professor of religion and international affairs and Islamic studies at Georgetown University, will discuss the challenges of religious pluralism in the 21st century in part one of the Gathering Points lecture series. The lecture, which is sponsored by Marquette and Church of the Gesu, will take place today, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the AMU Ballroom.

Esposito is founding director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is vice president and president-elect of the American Academy of Religion, a member of the E.C. European Network of Experts on De-Radicalisation, on the board of C-1 World Dialogue, and an ambassador for the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations.

7. Torture and American democracy is topic of Klement lecture

"Reconciling American Democracy and Torture: From the Age of Contact to Abu Ghraib" is the subject of the Frank L. Klement Lecture, sponsored by the Department of History. Dr. W. Fitzhugh Brundage, William B. Umstead distinguished professor of history at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, will give the lecture at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 4, in Cudahy 001. Brundage is the author of The Southern Past: A Clash of Race and Memory and Lynching in the New South.

8. Law lecture to address "Reality-Challenged Philosophies of Punishment"

The Law School will host its annual Barrock Lecture, Thursday, Oct. 6, at 12:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. Robert Weisberg, Edwin E. Huddleson, Jr. professor of law at Stanford University, will present “Reality-Challenged Philosophies of Punishment.”

The theme of “American exceptionalism” has found perverse corroboration in the size of the prison population, according to Weisberg. At the same time, discourse about the “purposes of punishment” is thriving, with a recent revival of highly abstract theorizing about the nature and legitimacy of retribution, he says. In this lecture, Weisberg will describe the disconnection and recommend ways of overcoming it, stressing that the abstract theorizing must be more sensitive to what punishment means and what effects it has in modern America.

9. Language and bilingualism in early childhood learning is subject of lecture

The College of Education’s Tommy G. Thompson Lecture, “Language, Bilingualism, Cognition and Learning in Early Childhood,” will be presented Thursday, Oct. 6. Dr. Eugene García, vice president for education partnerships at Arizona State University, will deliver the lecture at 4:30 p.m. in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom. García researches effective schooling for linguistically and culturally diverse student populations.

10. Chinese writer and media commentator to give Chalmers lecture

Jianying Zha, writer and media commentator, will deliver the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences’ Allis Chalmers International Affairs Lecture, “Transformation in Modern China,” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in the Weasler Auditorium. Zha is the author of several books, including Tide Players: the Movers and Shakers of a Rising China and China Pop: How Soap Operas, Tabloids and Bestsellers are Transforming a Culture. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times and other magazines and newspapers.

11. Marquette faculty to share research journeys

Dr. Kati Berg, Dr. Abdur Chowdhury and Dr. Michael Politano will discuss the paths they followed to their research and academic focuses at a “One Thing Led to Another” seminar, Tuesday, Oct. 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Raynor Beaumier Suite A.

• Dr. Kati Berg, assistant professor of corporate communication, will present “Not Exactly Sure How I Got Here but Sure Glad I Did.”

• Dr. Abdur Chowdhury, chair and professor of economics, will present “How Research Helps Policy Making."

• Dr. Michael Politano, associate professor of physics, will present “From CVs to Mergers: One Astronomer's Journey.”

A complimentary light lunch will be served. RSVP to Jennie Schatzman, ORSP office coordinator, by Friday, Oct. 7.

This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Manresa for Faculty in the Center for Teaching and Learning.

12. Education reform advocate to speak at Law School

Abby Ramirez, executive director of Schools That Can Milwaukee, will be a guest for “On the Issues with Mike Gousha,” Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall.

A former business executive, Ramirez has become a leading voice for education reform in Milwaukee. The goal of the organization she co-founded, Schools That Can Milwaukee, is to have 20,000 children in high-performing urban schools — public, charter and choice — by 2020. To do that, Ramirez and her organization work to identify schools where children are succeeding and attempt to replicate those models across the city.

13. Workshops to address gender identity, assessment and D2L

In addition to one-on-one consultations and department-specific programming, the Center for Teaching and Learning is offering three workshops next week:

• “Addressing Sexuality and Gender Identity in the Classroom,” Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in Raynor 320h — Ways to raise controversial issues in a productive manner, maintaining a respectful environment for all students.

• “Thinking about Formative vs Summative Assessment,” Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Raynor 320h — Effective uses of creating feedback for students about their learning (formative) and effective goalposts for evaluating student learning (summative).

• “Using D2L to Make Your Job Easier: Communicate, Grade and Assess!” Thursday, Oct. 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Raynor 320h — Traditional and nontraditional ways in which the quizzing and grading tools in D2L can be used to increase student learning and save time.

The CTL is offering programming for faculty in thematic series this fall, beginning with an inclusive excellence program, “We are Marquette;” a series on best practices, “Teaching at Its Best;” and a series centered on creating feedback in courses, “In the Loop and in the Know.”

The CTL also offers an e-learning certificate in which participants integrate instructional technology in their courses. Manresa for Faculty is hosting “One Thing Led to Another” forums and the Service Learning Program is offering a series to assist and orient faculty to programs with community based-research and service learning.

To register, email Mary Grant, CTL office associate, at the Center for Teaching and Learning.

14. Hosts needed for Supper for 12 Strangers

Hosts for Supper for 12 Strangers are needed Saturday, Nov. 5; Sunday, Nov. 6; Saturday, Nov. 12; and Sunday, Nov. 13. This tradition offers Marquette faculty, staff and alumni an opportunity to host two to 12 students in their home for dinner and an evening of casual conversation. The “supper” can be as formal as a gourmet meal on fine china or as casual as pizza on paper plates. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Register online. For more information, contact Libby Gard, engagement and external relations office associate, at 8-8440.

The event is sponsored by the Association of Marquette University Women.

15. Get free office supplies; dispose of unwanted supplies

In conjunction with Office Max, Marquette will again offer departments a chance to redistribute excess office supply inventory on campus (no furniture, just supplies).

Items may be dropped off Monday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff can “shop” Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place in AMU 163.

The office supply exchange allows departments a chance to redistribute supplies that were ordered in incorrect quantities or by mistake, and are otherwise going unused. The items do not need to have an OfficeMax label on them to be included.

16. Nonviolence as philosophy of life to be discussed

“Gandhi’s Method of Social and Political Change” is the subject of Soup with Substance on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at noon in AMU 157.

Dr. Pravin Kamdar, professor of business and economics at Cardinal Stritch University, will lead a conversation that will emphasize the power of Ahimsa (nonviolence) as a philosophy of life. He will look at Gandhi's strategy and technique of Swaraj and Satyagraha, which were his ethical basis/spirituality for political and social change. Using Gandhi's ideas as a framework, he will share and exchange ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and César Chavez.

Soup with Substance is sponsored by the Center for Peacemaking, Campus Ministry and Multicultural Affairs. A light lunch of soup and bread will be served.

17. Psychology faculty to present research

The Department of Psychology will host its second annual Diversity in Psychology Open House on Saturday, Oct. 15, in Cramer Hall 087 and the lower level lounge.

A lunchtime research poster session will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by research presentations by Drs. Alyson Gerdes, associate professor; Nakia Gordon, assistant professor; John Grych, chair and professor; and Debra Oswald, associate professor.

RSVP by Friday, Oct. 7, to Trish Johnson, administrative assistant, at 8-3487.

The event is supported by a 2011-2012 Marquette Excellence in Diversity Grant.

18. Department of Chemistry holding colloquium

Dr. Jack Simons, professor of chemistry at the University at Utah, will present “The Wonderful World of Anions” for a Department of Chemistry colloquium. The program will be Friday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry 121. Refreshments will be available beginning at 3:45 p.m.

19. New engineering building featured in Marquette Matters

The October issue of Marquette Matters, the printed monthly employee newsletter, will arrive in employee mailboxes within the next few days. This issue features articles about new Engineering Hall, the university’s reaffirmation of accreditation efforts, new Assessment Director Sharron Ronco, Dr. William Thorn’s sabbatical in Rome and Student Safety Programs’ 25th anniversary.

20. Law School to hold information session

The Law School Office of Admissions will host an information session for prospective students Saturday, Oct. 8, in Eckstein Hall. The session will include information about admissions and financial aid, as well as panel of current students.

The session begins at 10 a.m., preceded by an optional tou at 9 a.m.r. Register online.