1. Free concerts this weekend and next week

The Marquette University Chorus, Marquette Symphony Orchestra and the Marquette Faculty and Staff Chorale are holding free concerts within the next week:

The chorus concert, Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. (not 2 p.m., as previously stated), in the Church of the Gesu, will include selections by composers J.M. Martin and Franz Abt.

The orchestra will perform Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m., in the Varsity Theatre, featuring an extra academic focus this year. The concert will include performances of Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, and Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin, a Russian composer and chemist. Shubert’s Symphony No. 8 Unfinished will also be featured.

The chorale will present its annual spring concerts Tuesday, May 3, at 11:15 a.m. and Thursday, May 5, at 12:15 p.m. Both concerts are free, open to the campus community and held in the Varsity Theatre. Music selection will include sacred and secular choral selections from the medieval era through the present.

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2. The Lion in Winter runs through Sunday

The Department of Performing Arts is presenting The Lion in Winter through Sunday, May 1. This black comedy features Henry II banishing his wife, Eleanor, locking her in the castle and taking on a French mistress. Eleanor is temporarily freed for the holidays, however, and all three of their sons vie to inherit the throne.

The play is produced in collaboration with the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, so all performances will be at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Cabot Theatre, 158 N. Broadway. Tickets cost $15 with a Marquette ID when purchasing or picking up tickets, which are available by calling 414-291-7800 (mention “Marquette discount”).

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3. Marquette student honored with Goldwater scholarship

Marquette junior Elise Pellman has been named a 2011 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. Pellman, who is studying biochemistry and molecular biology, designed a research proposal that focuses on new structural, kinetic and computational approaches to drug design. She intends to pursue a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry and conduct structural, computational and kinetic studies on the design of biologically active compounds.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship recognizes college students who have the potential to significantly contribute to the fields of mathematics, science and engineering. Pellman is one of eight Goldwater Scholarship winners from Wisconsin and one of 275 nationally named scholars. She will also be awarded the university’s undergraduate research award in biochemistry and molecular biology.

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4. Department of Social and Cultural Sciences sponsoring Vagina Monologues

The Department of Social and Cultural Sciences will sponsor a performance of the Vagina Monologues Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. Presented by the student group Empowerment, the Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler that has been performed all over the world. Donations will benefit The Native Youth Sexual Health Network, which supports Native American women who have been affected by domestic violence. A talkback with Dr. Kathy Coffey-Guenther, director of Ignatian programs and associate director and Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality; Dr. Heather Hlavka, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences; cast members and representatives of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network will follow the performance.

For more information contact Dr. Roberta Coles, chair and professor of social and cultural sciences.

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5. Conference to cover German philosopher Martin Heidegger

The Department of Philosophy will host the Heidegger Circle’s 45th annual conference Friday, May 6, to Sunday, May 8, in the Alumni Memorial Union. The Heidegger Circle is an association of international scholars who study the philosophy of German philosopher Martin Heidegger. Twenty-nine speakers will present at the conference, including Dr. Pol Vandevelde, professor of philosophy, and doctoral students in philosophy David Leichter and Arun Iyer.

The event is open to all members of the Heidegger Circle and those interested in joining the circle. On-site registration is free. For more information contact Vandevelde at 8-5962.

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6. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund recipients announced

Six projects have been awarded financial support from the Simmons Religious Commitment Fund for fiscal 2012. The projects and grant recipients are:

• “An Investigation on Environments that Promote Student Spirituality” to conduct a study that will focus on learning about the spiritual development of Marquette undergraduate students in comparison to other Catholic universities — Dr. Jon Dooley, senior associate dean of student development; Dr. Jody Jessup-Anger, assistant professor of educational policy and leadership; and Rev. Andy Thon, S.J., clinical associate professor of educational policy and leadership.

• “Campus Ministry Boarder Experience” to hold a pilot trip to the United States/Mexican border to expose students with the transformative real-life experience of migrants and those who work with them — Gerry Fischer, assistant director of campus ministry.

• “Conversation Club” to help International and ESL students improve their English language and communication skills, especially on reflective topics focusing on social justice, spirituality and Marquette’s mission — Karen Desotelle, director of student educational services.

• “Improving Religious and Spiritual Consciousness: Understanding How Spirituality and Science Apply to Mental Health” to improve the provision of spiritually conscious care provided in the Center for Psychological Services and promote interdisciplinary, university-wide dialogue regarding the intersection of spirituality and science and how they relate to mental health concerns — Drs. Nakia Gordon, Astrida Kaugars and Lucas Torres, assistant professors of psychology; and Dr. Stephen Saunders, professor of psychology.

• “Marquette Contemplative Community” to hold a speaker series for students that will run in addition to weekly contemplative sessions — Dr. Anthony Peressini, director of the Honors Program.

• “Healing Visions 2011” to sponsor a speaker for the Healing Visions conference held at Marquette this summer — Dr. Bill Thorn, associate professor of journalism.

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7. Information sessions about Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; confirmation to be held

An information session about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will be held Monday, May 2, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Campus Ministry, AMU 236. RCIA is the formation process used throughout the Catholic Church to welcome, inform, prepare and support individuals interested in becoming Catholic. Marquette’s RCIA process is focused particularly on the needs of students and runs from the end of September to the beginning of May.

An information session about the sacrament of confirmation will be held Tuesday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to noon in Campus Ministry, AMU 236. Monthly sessions begin at the end of September, with confirmation taking place during the Easter season.

Members of the Marquette community will receive the sacraments of Christian Initiation on Sunday, May 1, during the 4 p.m. Mass at Church of the Gesu. Rev. Thomas Anderson, S.J., assistant director of campus ministry, will preside. One candidate for full initiation will receive baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist; three candidates will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and receive confirmation and first Eucharist; 14 candidates will complete their initiation by receiving the sacrament of confirmation. These 18 candidates have spent the fall and spring semesters growing in Catholic, Christian faith through either the Rite of Christian Initiation process or confirmation program sponsored by Campus Ministry. A reception will follow.

For more information, contact Steve Blaha, assistant director of Campus Ministry, at 8-6873.

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8. Math, engineering and neuroscience seminars to be held

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science will hold a colloquium Friday, April 29, at 4 p.m. in Cudahy 401. Dr. Adam Welc, senior researcher at Adobe's Advanced Technology Lab, will present “Parallel Programming for Internet Clients.”

Dr. Serge Guiot will present “Bio-upgrading of Synthesis Gas through Biological Water Gas Shift Reaction, Syngas Biomenthanation or Carboxydotrophic Butanol Fermentation,” Tuesday, May 3, from noon to 1 p.m. in Haggerty Engineering 494. Guiot is the principal scientist and leader of the Environmental Bioengineering Group at the National Research Council of Canada Biotechnology Research Institute, where he focuses on harnessing bacteria to produce fuels such as methane, hydrogen and alcohols. The event is part of the Regional Environmental Biotechnology Research Group meetings.

The Integrative Neuroscience Research Center will host Dr. Jakie McGinty, professor of neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, Tuesday, May 3, at 3:30 p.m. in Schroeder Complex 256. McGinty will present “BDNF Infusion into the Prefrontal Cortex Suppresses Cocaine-seeking.”

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9. Counseling Center offering suicide prevention training

The Counseling Center is offering QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention Tuesday, May 3, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. QPR trains participants how to get help for someone who is suicidal. Register with the Counseling Center at 8-7172.

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10. Free group fitness classes, including outdoor class, offered tomorrow

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering a free group fitness class, Cardio Kick, at 4 p.m. tomorrow, April 28, outside on the sand volleyball courts behind the Helfaer Recreation Center. In addition to the outdoor class, two other free classes will be offered tomorrow.

The classes are free to members:
• Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Total Body Burn and Flexibility at 3 p.m. at the Rec Plex

Call 8-6979 for more information.

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