1. Message from Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J.

Dear Marquette Students:

In the five months since being named Marquette’s next president, I have visited campus several times and begun a process I value tremendously: meeting with faculty, staff and students and learning what makes Marquette such an outstanding university.

It has been a pleasure to spend time with Father Wild and see what makes this institution so close to his heart. It is obvious that the momentum developed during his time is deeply rooted in Marquette’s Catholic, Jesuit mission. That’s a legacy of leadership I am proud to inherit. I know that you will relish the opportunities ahead to celebrate his accomplishments and share with him the praise he deserves.

Almost a dozen small group discussions, organized by Law School Dean Joseph D. Kearney at Father Wild’s request, have also introduced me to Marquette’s practices, people and ideas. The discussions have ranged from global engagement, health professions and the arts to student life, athletics and campus safety. The students who have participated in those sessions, as well as those I’ve met both at Board of Trustee meetings and at the several Marquette basketball games I’ve attended, have confirmed something I’d already felt about Marquette: students are at the heart of the university here and are true participants in the university’s mission of excellence, faith, leadership and service.

With the recent naming of Father Kevin Quinn, S.J., as the next president of The University of Scranton, I am also experiencing a presidential transition from the other side. I will have additional visits to Marquette throughout the spring semester and look forward to meeting more of you. When you see me around campus, please introduce yourselves. I am eager to meet you and to begin hearing about your dreams and aspirations, both for yourself and for this great Catholic and Jesuit university. Good luck with your studies.

Sincerely yours,

Scott Pilarz, S.J.

2. Haggerty Museum hosting cultural identity panel discussion

The Haggerty Museum of Art will host a cultural identity panel discussion with SNAPmilwaukee writers/artists in conjunction with The Truth Is Not in the Mirror: Photography and a Constructed Identity exhibition Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. in the Eckstein Hall Appellate Courtroom.

Panelists will be Kate Brandt, performance artist; Amelinda Burich, musician; John Riepenhoff, visual artist; Sarah Buccheri, film and video artist; and Lisa Danker, film and video artist.

SNAPmilwaukee.com archives critical discourse in and around the arts through in-depth study, commentary, historical analysis, synthesis and discussion of what’s going on.

3. Flu vaccinations still available

Influenza vaccinations (injectable), which are combined to cover both the seasonal and H1N1 influenzas, are still available to students at Student Health Service. Cost is $25 per person. Call 8-7184 for an appointment.

The Marquette Neighborhood Health Center also still has the combined influenza vaccine, both injectable (for ages 6 months and older) and nasal mist (for ages 2 to 49 years) available for $40. Call 414-933-9100 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.

Students experiencing flu symptoms, including fever, cough and general achiness, are encouraged to drink fluids, rest and stay home until fever-free for 24 hours. Student Health Service also has flu and cold kits available. Each $10 kit includes acetaminophen, ibuprofen, decongestant, cough suppressant drops, hand sanitizer, sports drink singles, and a dosage/self-care informational sheet.

4. W-2 forms for 2010 are now available

Annual W-2 tax forms for student employees are now available online via MyJob. Select “MU Employee Self Service,” “Personal Actions,” “Employee W-2” and “start.”

Printing the W-2 from this web page is an acceptable copy for attaching to annual tax returns. Use the printer icon below the words "Select Organization/Year," not the printer icon on your browser, to print the form.

Some users may need to adjust their Acrobat settings to access the W-2 forms. Instructions for doing this are on the MyJob log-in page or call the Help Desk (8-7799) for assistance.

Traditional paper forms will also be mailed to permanent (home) addresses. The post office asks users to allow up to 10 days to receive W-2 forms in the mail.

See the Office of the Comptroller website for more information.

5. 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.

6. Applications for Dorothy Day Social Justice Community available

Applications for the Office of Residence Life’s Dorothy Day Social Justice Community are now available. The program provides an opportunity for 44 sophomore students to live together in Straz Tower and participate in a yearlong social justice-focused living/learning experience.

Students will enroll in discrete sections of Philosophy of Human Nature in the fall semester and Christian Discipleship in the spring semester. Each course meets the university’s core requirement and each will incorporate a shared service-learning component. The curricular and service components are enhanced by out-of-classroom experiences that bring students together for reflection on classroom concepts and their service and other experiences that help shed light on the meaning of justice in their lives.

Applications are due Feb. 25.

7. Accounting alumnus honored for high CPA Exam score

Andrew Rebstock, a 2009 graduate of the Graduate School of Management, has been honored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with its Elijah Watt Sells Award, given annually to the top performers on the CPA Exam. The awards are presented to the 15 candidates earning the highest cumulative scores on the four sections of the computerized Uniform CPA Examination.

This is the second consecutive year a Marquette graduate has earned the prestigious award. Last year the honor went to Jennifer Luchs, a 2008 graduate of the College of Business Administration.

Rebstock completed his master’s of science degree in accounting with a 4.0 grade point average, earning him the Graduate School of Management’s highest honor, the T. R. Martin Award. He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of Business Administration in 2008. Rebstock now works for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Milwaukee.

8. MUSG hosting weekend movie, requesting senior speaker nominations

MUSG will host showings of Hereafter Friday, Jan. 28, at 9 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre. The lives of three people, George (Matt Damon), a former medium helping clients connect with dead relatives, Marie (Cecile de France) and a London schoolboy, are forever changed when their paths cross and their beliefs about life after death are challenged. Tickets cost $2 with an MUID and $3 without.

MUSG is accepting nominations for senior speaker for eligible seniors interested in speaking at graduation. Nominations are due Monday, Feb. 7. Contact MUSG for more information or to nominate a senior speaker.

9. Books wanted and available at Sunday’s book swap

Marquette will host a book swap for readers of all ages from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, in the AMU second floor lobby.

Participants are encouraged to bring gently used books of all kinds and will be allowed to take home half as many books as they provide, up to a maximum of five books. Marquette students will be on hand to help with young children to allow families to participate. The students will also help arrange books by theme and reading level to help participants find books.

The book swap is coordinated by Friends and Alumni/ae of Marquette English. In the spirit of Jesuit hospitality, FAME seeks to support a community of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, alumni/ae and friends through public readings, speakers, social occasions and community service.

For more information about the book swap or FAME, contact the Department of English at 8-7179.

10. Free half-day retreat offered for graduating seniors

Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, is holding a free, half-day retreat for graduating seniors, “OMG! I’m a senior … now what?” Saturday, Feb. 5, from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., in AMU 157. Participants will be given an opportunity to reflect, discern and discuss the next step in their lives as they prepare to graduate.

Contact Alpha Sigma Nu by Thursday, Feb. 3, to register.

11. Free lessons with renowned pianist Hwaen Ch‚uqi offered

Hwaen Ch‚uqi, a three-time Tanglewood fellow, is offering free piano lessons to students of any ability level during the last week of February. Sign-ups by the AMU Brew will be available Monday, Jan. 31, and Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

12. Cultural competence of healthcare professionals to be discussed

The College of Nursing will hold a program Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in the Clark Hall terrace. Dr. Aruna Lal, creating nursing workforce diversity retention specialist, will present “Cultural Competence of Healthcare Professionals and Optimal Health Outcomes.”

13. Blood drive hosted by student nurses

The Marquette University Student Nurses’ Association is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the Blood Center of Wisconsin on Friday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in AMU 157. Appointments can be scheduled online. Walk-ins are also welcome.

14. Free group fitness classes offered tomorrow

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering free group fitness classes tomorrow, Jan. 28.

The classes are free to members:
• Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Cardio Step at 1 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Zumba at 3 p.m. at the Rec Plex and at 4 p.m. at the Rec Center

Call 8-6979 for more information.

Registration for group fitness classes offered through the Department of Recreational Sports is still open. Classes will run for 10 weeks, with no classes held the week of spring break. All classes are first-come, first-served. For more information contact Shannon Bustillos, assistant director of recreational sports, at 8-7778.