1. Mission Week kicks off with Sunday Mass

The Marquette community will celebrate Mission Week Feb. 19-24 beginning with Mission Week Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Church of the Gesu. Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J., associate vice president of Mission and Ministry, will celebrate and Marquette President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., will deliver the homily. A reception to celebrate the start of Mission Week will follow mass, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Father Herian Hall, inside Church of the Gesu.

This year’s keynote address will be given by Dr. Bernard Amadei, founding president of Engineers Without Borders USA, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom.

Monday’s Mission Week events include:

  • Faculty and staff luncheon with Mission Week speaker
    Faculty and staff are invited to attend a lunchtime discussion with one of Mission Week’s featured speakers, Dr. Jennifer Beste, about the complex social reality of today’s hookup culture on college campuses on Monday, Feb. 20, at noon in AMU, Ballroom E.
  • “Who’s your neighbor?” coffee house
    The Repairers of the Breach choir will sing soulful music based on testimonials shared by members of the Repairers Community, Monday, Feb. 20, at 4 p.m., in the AMU, Lunda Room. Complimentary coffee and treats will be served.

Each February, the Marquette community pauses to reflect on our university's Catholic, Jesuit mission through Mission Week. This year’s theme is “Who is my neighbor?” Throughout the week, the Marquette community will be invited to reflect on who their neighbors are locally, nationally and internationally, and to examine how they can create international networks to address issues of faith, justice and ecology.

Watch for daily Mission Week News Briefs next week, Feb. 20-24, featuring Mission Week activities. The complete schedule for Mission Week is available online.

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2. Baseball legend Hank Aaron to be Commencement speaker

Former Major League Baseball star Hank Aaron will be the Commencement speaker at this year’s spring ceremony and will also receive an honorary degree from the university. Aaron played outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers from 1954-1976 and holds many of baseball’s most prestigious records.

Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and was also hired as the Atlanta Braves’ vice president and director of player development, making him one of the first minority executives in Major League Baseball. In 1999, Major League Baseball announced the introduction of the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the best overall offensive performer in the American and National Leagues. In addition to Aaron’s contributions to baseball, he has worked on behalf of racial equality and civil rights through his Chasing the Dream Foundation, which helps underprivileged children. 

Marquette will also award Sister Mary Miguel Conway, BVM, an honorary degree. Sister Miguel is co-director of the Working Boys’ Center in Quito, Ecuador, which serves more than 400 families of working children annually at three locations in Quito.

Marquette’s 131st Commencement ceremony will be held at the Bradley Center Sunday, May 20.

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3. Manresa Scholars Program applications due Feb. 20

Faculty and staff are asked to encourage interested students to apply for the Manresa Scholars Program, which is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year. This program invites junior and senior students to explore and discern their vocation through weekly service and regular reflection. Manresa Scholars receive an $8,000 tuition scholarship and engage in weekly meetings and an annual retreat.

Interested students should apply online by Monday, Feb. 20 at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Annie Devine, assistant director of campus ministry, at 8-3689.

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4. Last McNair Scholars Program info session, Feb. 22

Undergraduates interested in applying to the McNair Scholars Program for the upcoming year should attend the final informational session about the program, which will be held Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m., in the Raynor Memorial Libraries, Beaumier Suite A.

Current McNair scholars will be available to share insights and provide an overview to the McNair experience. This program prepares eligible students for graduate study by providing a variety of services including research internships, GRE Prep, funding to attend conferences and graduate school visits. All applications are due Friday, March 9.

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

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5. Study abroad information sessions being held

The Office of International Education is currently offering site-specific study abroad information sessions. Sessions highlight programs in various geographic areas and provide students the opportunity to talk with study abroad alumni. A detailed schedule of information sessions is available on the Office of International Education website. Applications for summer, fall and academic year study abroad are due March 1.

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6. "Defying Gravity" opens tonight at Helfaer Theatre

“Defying Gravity,” a drama about the events surrounding the Challenger space shuttle crash, opens tonight at the Helfaer Theatre and continues through Sunday, Feb. 26. Inspired by the life of astronaut Christa McAuliffe, “Defying Gravity” explores human beings’ need to reach beyond ourselves. Performances will be held:
•    Thursday, Feb. 16, through Saturday, Feb. 18 – 7:30 p.m.
•    Sunday, Feb. 19 – 2:30 p.m. 
•    Wednesday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 – 7:30 p.m.
•    Thursday, Feb. 23 – 8 p.m.
•    Sunday, Feb. 26 – 2:30 p.m.

A special pre-show presentation, “Challenger: Life, Death and the Re-birth of a Masterpiece,” by Marquette College of Engineering OPUS Dean Robert H. Bishop will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23. One of Bishop’s colleagues was aboard the Challenger when it fractured during ascent to orbit on January 28, 1986, resulting in the death of all seven astronauts. 

Discounts on “Defying Gravity” tickets are offered to Marquette students and employees. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the theatre box office at 8-7505.

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7. Free Comedy Night for all students

The Muslim Students Association will be hosting a free Comedy Night headlined by comedian Asif Ali, who has appeared on “Modern Family” and “The Young and the Restless,” on Friday, Feb. 17, at 6:30 p.m., in the Weasler Auditorium. Contact Wajiha Ahmad for additional information.

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8. Fashion consultant to speak about dressing for your body type

Mary Sheehan, fashion consultant and author of It’s So You, will speak about fitting fashion to individual style and body type Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m., in the second floor lounge at Cobeen Hall.

Contact Carolyn Madigan with questions.

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9. 2012 Aquinas Lecture: "The Post-Racial Ideal"

The Department of Philosophy will host its 2012 Aquinas Lecture, “The Post-Racial Ideal,” a presentation by Dr. Howard McGary, Sunday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m., in the Raynor Memorial Libraries Conference Center. McGary is a professor of philosophy at Rutgers University and is also the founder of the Rutgers Summer Institute for Diversity in Philosophy. A reception will immediately follow the lecture.

For more information, contact the Department of Philosophy at 8-6857.

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10. Phi Sigma Tau to present "Last Lecture"

Phi Sigma Tau, Marquette’s chapter of the International Philosophy Honors Society, is hosting a "Last Lecture" given by Dr. Javier Ibáñez-Noé on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m., in the Haggerty Museum of Art. Ibáñez-Noé is an associate professor of philosophy at Marquette and was nominated by Phi Sigma Tau members to give a lecture addressing the question, “If this were your last lecture to Marquette students, what would you say?”

For more information, or to join Phi Sigma Tau, contact Phi Sigma Tau's president, Sarah Gresser.

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11. Campus Ministry holding spirituality events during Lent

Campus Ministry is offering a Women’s Wisdom spirituality group during Lent for all undergraduate women interested in exploring readings in Christian spirituality and theology, and sharing questions, reflections and experiences of faith.

Campus ministry will also hold a Silent Ignatian Weekend, a two-day silent retreat that encourages students to detach from the many ways in which they are ‘plugged in’ on a daily basis and re-center their spirituality through prayer, reflection and contemplation. The retreat will take place Feb. 24-26, at Holy Hill. Registration is available online.

Contact Emily Schumacher-Novak or Annie Devine, assistant directors in Campus Ministry, for more information about both events.

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12. Take health assessment for chance to win $100 Target gift card

Students should monitor their Marquette email for a notification to be sent Monday, Feb. 20, requesting participation in the National College Health Assessment from the American College Health Association. The assessment will help college health providers, educators, counselors and administrators collect data about students’ behaviors and perceptions on certain health topics. Participation is confidential. 

Students who return a completed survey will be entered in a drawing to win prizes, including $100 gift card from Target and Marquette Cash.

For more information, contact Amy Melichar-Messman, coordinator of health education and promotion in Student Health Service, at 8-5217.

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13. "On the Issues with Mike Gousha" features February Law School Poll

The results of the latest Marquette Law School Poll will be the topic of “On the Issues with Mike Gousha,” Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 12:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. Professor Charles Franklin, the director of the poll and nationally recognized expert in voter analysis, will discuss with Gousha the latest insights into voter attitudes on the possible gubernatorial recall, open U.S. Senate seat, presidential election and more. The complete results of the February poll will be released that day.
 
Register for the event online. For more information on the Law School Poll, visit law.marquette.edu/poll.

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14. Biological Sciences Seminar Series continues tomorrow

The Biological Sciences Seminar Series will host “How is smooth muscle contraction regulated?” Friday, Feb. 17, at 3:30 p.m., in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. The discussion will be led by Dr. Thomas Eddinger, professor of biological sciences. Refreshments will be served prior to the seminar at 3:15 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 108.

For more information, contact the Department of Biological Sciences at 8-7355.

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15. Symposium on Africana studies will be held tomorrow

The Office of the Provost and the College of Arts and Sciences will sponsor, “Race and Global Institutions: A Symposium in Africana Studies at Marquette,” Friday, Feb. 17, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in Raynor Memorial Libraries, Beaumier Suites B and C. This event will highlight three recent books published by faculty across the disciplines. These works ask large questions about how racial formations influence global institutions such as education, religion and capitalism. Each presenter will speak for 15 minutes on the genesis and aim of their book, and the final hour will be dedicated to questions and group discussion.

Information on the authors and their works can be found online.

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16. Mission Week service project donation drive

A service project donation drive will take place throughout Mission Week. The communities and groups below are in need of the following donations:

  • Belize – School supplies and monetary donations for St. Peter Claver Parish students at 30 primary schools. Make checks payable to: St. Peter Claver Parish.
  • Haiti Clinic – Pain medications, gauze, Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment for a clinic sponsored by Church of the Gesu. Make checks payable to: Gesu Haiti Projects.
  • Global Medical Brigades – Cough, cold and pain medications, antacids and dental hygiene products. To help subsidize travel costs for student service trips, make checks payable to: Marquette – GMB.
  • Project Night Night – Blankets, children’s books and stuffed animals. Make checks payable to: Marquette University.
  • Project Stand Down – Men’s t-shirts, underwear, washcloths and toiletries (razors, shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, toothpaste)

Help support local and global neighbors in need by dropping off donation items in Campus Ministry, AMU 236, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., throughout Mission Week. Contact Campus Ministry at 8-6873 with questions.

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17. Ash Wednesday services will be held Feb. 22

Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of ashes will be held at the following times and locations on Wednesday, Feb. 22:

  • 6:15 a.m. and 7 a.m. – Church of the Gesu (lower)
  • 11 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Church of the Gesu (upper)
  • Noon – Chapel of the Holy Family
  • 6 p.m. – Ecumenical service and distribution of ashes – Chapel of the Holy Family

For additional information, contact Timothy Johnston, assistant director of liturgical programs, at 8-0522.

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18. Eastern Orthodox Vespers service to be held next week

The Marquette chapter of Orthodox Christian Fellowship will host an Eastern Orthodox Vespers service Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m., in the St. Joan of Arc Chapel. Vespers is an evening prayer service that is spiritual and peaceful, filled with God’s love in Christ through the Holy Spirit. The service is open to the entire Marquette community.

This event is co-sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Marquette Chapter of Orthodox Christian Fellowship. For more information, contact Rev. John D. Jones at 8-5938.

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19. Marquette University Symphony Orchestra performing at Varsity Theatre

The Marquette University Symphony Orchestra will be performing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, as well as works by American composers Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, at the Varsity Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. This is a free concert.

Contact Jason Ladd, assistant director of instrumental music, at 8-7476 with questions.

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20. Free group fitness classes on Friday

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering free group fitness classes tomorrow, Feb. 17, for members. The cost is $2 for faculty and staff who are non-members.

• Zumba at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center 
• Spinning at 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Kickboxing at 1 p.m. at the Rec Plex 
• Zumba at 4 p.m. at the Rec Plex

For more information, call the group fitness office at 8-6979 or contact Shannon Bustillos, assistant director of recreational sports, at 8-7778.

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