1. Consortium awarded $2 million grant for older adult health care

The Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center, housed in the College of Nursing, has been awarded a five-year, $2 million grant from the United States Health Resources and Services Administration to help ensure that older adults throughout Wisconsin have access to quality healthcare. Stacy Barnes, College of Nursing, is director of the WGEC. One hundred percent of the $2,050,868 total grant award is financed with federal funds.

Similar to the nation’s population trends, Wisconsin is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number and proportion of older adults. Individuals aged 65 and older are projected to increase more than 90 percent by 2030 and the state’s oldest citizens (age 100-plus) will almost quadruple in the same period. Despite national and state population trends, healthcare workforce studies reveal that no health care profession has the minimum projected number of trained personnel necessary to meet the unique healthcare needs of older adults.

The WGEC consortium will focus its efforts on improving patient care and safety for Wisconsin’s older adults by training health professions students, faculty and practitioners in Wisconsin, with emphasis on Milwaukee and Dane counties.

The WGEC will develop, implement and evaluate several new educational interventions during the five-year grant period. It will:

• Train students from non-dental health disciplines about geriatric oral health issues
• Train health professionals how to integrate palliative care practices into geriatrics
• Develop and evaluate new injury-related geriatrics curriculum
• Train health profession students about evidence-based standards and practices for depression
• Provide health profession students with clinical geriatric training in hospitals and clinics
• Provide ongoing interdisciplinary continuing education opportunities to health professionals

2. Dr. Azar Nafisi, Iranian author, to speak about power of literature

Dr. Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books, will present "The Republic of the Imagination: The Power of Literature to Liberate Minds and Peoples” for the Allis Chalmers Distinguished Professor in International Affairs Lecture series Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Nafisi is visiting professor and the director of Cultural Conversations at the Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. She is best known as the author of the national bestseller Reading Lolita in Tehran, a portrait of the Islamic revolution in Iran and how it affected one university professor and her students. The book has spent more than 117 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into 32 languages and has won many literary awards.

Nafisi has also conducted workshops in Iran for female students on the relationship between culture and human rights, has lectured and written extensively in English and Persian on the political implications of literature and culture, as well as the human rights of the Iranian women and girls and the important role they play in the process of change for pluralism and an open society in Iran.

The lecture is sponsored by the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.

For more information, contact Dr. Richard Friman, professor of political science and Eliot Fitch Chair for International Studies, at 8-5991.

3. Nationally known journalists to discuss whether entertainment is eclipsing news

The Diederich College of Communication will host a student-produced Centennial Seminar for the Burleigh Lecture Series on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m., streamed live to the Johnston Hall student lounge and available on Time Warner Cable’s Wisconsin on Demand afterward.

A live roundtable discussion of nationally known journalists will discuss “Is Entertainment Eclipsing News?” Panelists include:
• Bill Burleigh, Jour ’57, chairman, retired president and chief executive officer of The E.W. Scripps Company
• Dr. Sybril Bennett, professor of media studies at Belmont University and Emmy Award-winning television news journalist
• Quiana Burns, Emmy Award-winning journalist with The Last Word on MSNBC
• Dr. Pamela Hill Nettleton, assistant professor of journalism at Marquette
• Kimberly Schwandt, Emmy Award-winning White House producer at Fox News
• Ben Tracy, Comm ’98 and Grad ‘04, Emmy award-winning CBS News correspondent
• Baratunde Rafiz Thurston, web editor at The Onion
• Gideon Yago, writer and former correspondent for MTV News and CBS News.

4. Former Gonzaga president to present Ciszek Lecture

Rev. Robert Spitzer, S.J., president of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership and former president of Gonzaga University, will present “What is Contemporary Physics Saying about Creation and God?” for the 2011 Ciszek Lecture. His lecture, Monday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium, will be based on his recent book, New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy.

Ciszek Lecture speakers are selected from the many authors represented in the Ciszek Catholic Spirituality Collection in the Raynor Memorial Libraries, a collection of books and DVDs on Catholic devotional literature, meditations, catechisms, apologetics, conversion stories and works on lay and religious vocation.

The lecture, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Marquette, Raynor Memorial Libraries and the Department of Theology.

5. Marquette University Chorus invited to perform for Paradise Lost in Chicago

Distinguished Concerts International in New York City has invited the Marquette University Chorus and director Mark Konewko to participate in a performance of Eric Whitacre’s Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings on Tuesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. in Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre.

“The Marquette University Chorus received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and the exceptional recommendation given by Mr. Konewko’s choral colleagues,” said Dr. Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for DCINY. “It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in Chicago. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”

The performance is open to the public. Tickets cost $40.

Thirty-nine Marquette students will spend about 10 hours in rehearsals over a three-day residency leading up to the performance.

Whitacre will be the guest conductor for this special concert, which is a prelude event to the American Choral Directors Association National Conference that begins Wednesday, March 9.

For information about providing financial support for the students’ trip, contact Konewko at 414-881-5551.

6. Summer registration begins March 7

Before registering for summer classes, students should visit their academic adviser, as determined by the student’s college advising policy. Students should use Academic Advisement in CheckMarq to determine what courses may apply to their degree. Registration appointments are not needed for summer courses. Registration begins March 7.

Additional information is available on the Marquette Central website.

7. McNair Scholars applications due March 11

Applications for the McNair Scholars Program, for eligible undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate study, are due Friday, March 11. Students accepted to the program will participate in an eight-week summer research experience and receive a $2,800 stipend.

The program offers a variety of services and activities, including GRE preparation, visits to area graduate schools and participation in national and regional research conferences.

To qualify, students must have a GPA of at least a 2.5 and have completed 60 or more credits by the end of the spring 2011 semester.

For more information, contact the McNair Program Office at 8-1771.

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

Students can win a $200 cash prize for entering Raynor Memorial Libraries’ 14th 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 2010 calendar year are eligible. The submission deadline is Friday, March 11.

9. “Careers in Social Change” to be discussed at webinar

A “Careers in Social Change” webinar will be held tomorrow, Feb. 22, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Zilber 370. Mrim Boutla, co-founder of The More Than Money League, and Katie Kross, EDGE associate director and author of Profession and Purpose, will discuss resources, information and best practices for partnering with others on campus and beyond to help changemakers translate their education into careers that will build a better world. The program will address how to connect students and alumni with the resources and insights they need to compete for opportunities in corporate social responsibility, social enterprises and nonprofits. No registration needed.

The program is sponsored by the Office of the Provost’s Social Entrepreneurship Initiative.

10. Symphony orchestra and blind Incan pianist to perform

Pianist Hwaen Ch’qui, a blind Incan pianist and three-time Tanglewood fellow, will present a free master class in which he will briefly perform and discuss ways to improve piano technique tomorrow, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre.

Ch’qui will also perform with the Marquette University Symphony Orchestra at a free concert Sunday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre. Ch’qui will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” followed by Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major.

The performances are sponsored by the Office of Student Development Music Programs.

11. Korieh to give lecture in conjunction with Haggerty exhibition

The Haggerty Museum of Art will host a lecture by Dr. Chima Korieh, assistant professor of history, Wednesday, March 2, at noon at the museum.

Korieh will present ”Through a Glass Darkly: African Popular Arts as History” in conjunction with the Hollywood Icons, Local Demons: Ghanaian Popular Paintings by Mark Anthony exhibition, which consists of paintings for three different plays. Ghanaian master artist Mark Anthony is acclaimed for his signage-inspired paintings that attract audiences to itinerant theatrical performances or “concert parties” by local musicians and actors. This exhibition of Anthony’s work consists of sets of paintings for three different plays: Some Rivals Are Dangerous; In This World, If You Do Not Allow Your Brother to Climb, You Will Not Climb; and When A Royal Dies, We Take Him Home. Each set portrays key scenes from the plays, including tales that reflect the social pressures brought about by rapid change and globalization, designed to attract attention and promote discussion as people walk or ride by.

12. Psychology, biology and chemistry seminars this week

The Department of Psychology will hold a colloquium Thursday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 p.m. in Cramer Hall 104J. Dr. Darren Wheelock, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences, will present “Need not apply: Employment restrictions for ex-felons and racial inequality in the labor market.”

Dr. Stephen Downs, Wehr professor of biological sciences, will discuss “Sex and the Oocyte” Friday, Feb. 25, at 3:15 p.m. in Wehr Life Science 111. Refreshments will be served at 3 p.m. For more information, call the Department of Biological Sciences at 8-7355.

Dr. Bill Poirier, professor of chemistry and joint professor of physics at Texas Tech University, will present “Quantum Dynamics of Hydrogen Interacting Exohedrally with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.” This Department of Chemistry colloquium will be Friday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry 121. Refreshments will be available beginning at 3:45 p.m.

13. Kick-off event for energy and climate policy conference to be held

Students for an Environmentally Active Campus is hosting a kick-off for Power Shift on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. in Cudahy 114. Power Shift is a weekend national conference in Washington, D.C., of youth leaders about change on energy and climate policy. Another session will be held Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. in Cudahy 137.

Information provided will also include the opportunity to register for the conference, which is open to the entire campus community.

14. Pan-African heritage to be celebrated this week

The Office of Student Development Multicultural Affairs is sponsoring a series of events in celebration of Pan-African heritage:

• “Soup with Substance: Black Migration,” Wednesday, Feb. 23, noon, AMU 227 —Activist and community organizer Reuben Harpole will speak about the process of black migration to Milwaukee and other areas of Wisconsin. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Patrick Kennelly, associate director for the Center for Peacemaking, or D.J. Todd, coordinator for intercultural programs in the Office of Student Development.

• “Career Café: Speed networking,” Thursday, Feb. 24, 12:30 p.m., AMU 157 — co-sponsored by Career Services, the networking session will be an opportunity to meet Marquette alumni who work in the greater Milwaukee area. Bringing business cards is recommended.

• “I Love My Hair,” Thursday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m., AMU Monaghan Ballroom — Professionals, academics and students will discuss the social implications of living in a society not accustomed to cultural hair and hairstyle.

• “Brew City Stomp Down,” Feb. 26, 6 p.m., Varsity Theater — Marquette’s 12th annual rhythmic stepping and movements show is sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Tickets are $15 and available in the AMU Brooks Lounge. Proceeds benefit scholarship funding.

15. Free drawing class offered at Haggerty Museum

A free drawing class for Marquette students will take place at the Haggerty Museum of Art on Friday, Feb. 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants can stop in anytime.

The museum galleries will serve as the drawing studio/classroom, allowing students the opportunity to observe pieces from the Haggerty’s current exhibitions and permanent collection while receiving guidance from the instructors. Instructors are Anastacia Stevens and Jill Fitzmaurice, students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.

No prior drawing experience is necessary. Drawing materials will be supplied. Register at 8-5915.