1. Update on strategic planning, emerging vision for the university from President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.

Dear students:

During a semester full of bright moments ranging from the opening of the new clinical simulation center at the College of Nursing to the groundbreaking for a new addition to the School of Dentistry and the bestowing of an honorary degree on one of America's most celebrated poets, Mary Oliver, the most exciting development of all has been the university community's engagement in a rich and constructive dialogue about Marquette's future.

Beginning with 17 listening sessions across campus and carried forward this semester by a highly collaborative Coordinating Committee, this planning process has achieved some remarkable progress.

Weighing all that we have heard through the collaborative planning process, I, Provost John Pauly and other university partners have worked to distill this vision into a concentrated form. Watch this video to hear about the key elements of this emerging vision, including the urgent way our community must collaborate and innovate to ensure that we graduate students who are ready to assume lives as agents for change and problem solvers in a world of growing complexity.

Throughout the fall semester, the strategic planning Coordinating Committee has considered feedback from nearly 200 emails from students, faculty, staff, alumni and university benefactors, conducted six office hours sessions and led conversations across campus about five core themes that have been identified. Now we have begun incorporating this feedback and will share updated versions of the five themes later this semester.

I am grateful for the feedback we've heard from so many of you during the past months. As you take time this Advent season to reflect on the multitude of blessings God has provided, know that your Marquette family is thankful for allowing us to be a part of your lives.

Sincerely,

Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.
President
Marquette University

2. Campus-wide events held as part of "Beat Bucky Week"

Marquette Nation will sponsor its first "Beat Bucky Week," Monday, Dec. 3 through Friday, Dec. 7, leading up to the Marquette vs. Wisconsin men's basketball game Saturday, Dec. 8. Events will be held throughout the week to fire up Golden Eagles spirit before the rivalry game.

T-shirt Trade-in – Monday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the AMU
Food Drive and Logo Sculpture – Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the AMU
Residence Hall Desk Judging – Wednesday, Dec. 5, beginning at 5 p.m. in the residence halls
MU Trivia Night at the Annex – Thursday, Dec. 6, beginning at 8:45 p.m.
Badger Roast – Friday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the AMU, Marquette Place.

In addition, a class penny war will be held each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the AMU. For additional information, follow Marquette Nation on Facebook or use hashtag #BeatBucky on Twitter.

3. Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee hosting office hours Monday

The Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee co-chairs and members will host office hours Monday, Dec. 3, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the AMU, 231. Other strategic planning office hours throughout the semester include:

Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the AMU, 233

Those interested in attending any of the office hours should RSVP to Laura Hagan, office assistant in the Office of the University Architect, at 8-4439.

4. 'Diederich Ideas' student production wins College Emmy Award

The student-produced "Diederich Ideas: Reporting from the Front Line" program was awarded an Emmy by the Television Academy at a Nov. 18 ceremony in Chicago. The program, focused on reporting during times of conflict, featured a panel discussion and pre-recorded interviews with a number of locally and nationally recognized media professionals, including James Foley, Arts '96, who was captured by the Libyans while reporting on the war. "Diederich Ideas" was produced by MUTV, with help from the Instructional Media Center. The full story can be found online.

5. E-Transcripts available Dec. 3

As of Monday, Dec. 3, students may order their official transcripts to be sent electronically. This service is provided only for those students who order their transcript online via the National Student Clearinghouse. In addition, the cost for all transcripts, both e-transcripts and standard, will increase to $7.00. Instructions on how to order transcripts can be found on the Marquette Central web pages.

6. Law School to host panel reflecting on Wisconsin's historic election season

On Thursday, Dec. 6, one month after the historic November elections, the Law School will host "Wisconsin 2012: The voters have spoken. What did they tell us?" from 8:15 a.m. to noon in Eckstein Hall. A group of panelists will look back at what happened this election season and why, from voter attitudes and media coverage to political advertising and campaign strategy. Panelists will include:

Dr. Charles Franklin, visiting professor of law and public policy and director of the Marquette Law School Poll
Dr. Amber Wichowsky, assistant professor of political science
Ken Goldstein, president of Kantar Media/Campaign Media Analysis Group
Craig Gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Washington, D.C., bureau chief
Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics
Keith Gilkes, campaign manager for Scott Walker and Tommy Thompson
John Kraus, campaign communications director for Tammy Baldwin

Reserve a spot online.

7. NFL Hall of Fame member, entrepreneur and Marquette Trustee Emeritus Willie Davis to discuss new book

Willie Davis, Green Bay Packer legend, NFL Hall of Fame member, Marquette trustee emeritus and entrepreneur, will discuss his new book, Closing the Gap, Thursday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club. The event is free but registration is required, which can be completed online.

Members of the Marquette community can pre-order a signed copy of Closing the Gap by Willie Davis in time for the holidays if ordered through the Spirit Shop by Wednesday, Dec. 5. Book orders, which are $36.95 and include shipping and handling, can be placed by contacting the Spirit Shop at 8-3050.

8. Celebrate start of Advent season with holiday concerts

Marquette University's music programs will hold multiple music events during the holiday season.

The Liturgical Choir and Marquette University Chorus will perform their annual Lessons and Carols Concert Friday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Gesu. Approximately 150 student musicians will perform in the concert, which will celebrate the upcoming Advent season. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

The Music Area Holiday Concert, featuring the Jazz Ensembles, Gospel Choir, Chorus, Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will take place Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre. These six different musical ensembles will be performing a variety of holiday music.

Both concerts are free; donations are appreciated.

9. Integrative Neuroscience Research Center hosting seminar

Barry E. Levin of the department of neurology and neurosciences at the New Jersey Medical School/UMDNJ will present, "Metabolic sensing neurons and astrocytes and the control of energy homeostasis," Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m. in Schroeder Complex, 256.

This seminar is sponsored by the College of Health Sciences' Integrative Neuroscience Research Center (INRC). The full schedule of the INRC's fall seminar series is available online. For additional information, contact the Integrative Neuroscience Research Center at 8-7329.

10. Biological Sciences Seminar rescheduled for Dec. 14

The Biological Sciences Fall Seminar Series will host, "Environmental Pollution, Human Impact, and Microbes in Action," Friday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. Dr. Krassimira Hristova, assistant professor of biological sciences, will lead the seminar.

Refreshments will be served prior to the seminar at 2:45 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 108.

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

11. Honors Program to present exhibition of mindfulness in photography

The Honors Program will present "Miksang Contemplative Photography Class Closing Show," Thursday, Dec. 6, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Coughlin Hall, 001. Attendees can view the class perceptions of a semester-long exploration of mindfulness in photography. More information about Miksang and contemplative photography can be found online.

Light refreshments will be served. For additional information, contact Miriam Hall, lecturer for the Honors Program.

12. Students to share research on life at Marquette

Students of English 3210 – Advanced Composition – "Ethnography of the University: Developing an Inquiry State of Mind," will host a research poster fair Monday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. in the Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites. Fourteen students will present their undergraduate research of university life at Marquette and their proposals for change. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Dr. Beth Godbee, assistant professor of English, at 8-3468.

13. Contemplative Community to host presentation on centering prayer

Contemplative Community will present, "Centering Prayer: A Christian Form of Meditation," Monday, Dec. 3, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites.

Barbara B. Prendergast, who holds a master's degree in theology from Marquette, will deliver the presentation. Prendergast is a trained presenter for centering prayer and serves on the leadership team for Contemplative Outreach of Southeastern Wisconsin.

For more information, contact Alice Gormley, database management and serials librarian, at 8-7252.

14. Tell us about interesting December graduates by Dec. 7

The Office of Marketing and Communication is seeking stories about December 2012 graduates for possible use with area media. Graduates who have remarkable plans and jobs post-graduation; unusual backgrounds; overcame substantial obstacles in getting their degree; recent national-level exclusive awards, academic recognition, publications or scholarship; etc. are some ideas that would be appropriate.

What graduates do you know that have fascinating stories to tell? E-mail their names and plenty of details by Friday, Dec. 7.

15. Advent penitential service and confession to be held

All members of the Marquette community are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the AMU, Chapel of the Holy Family. There will be a short penance service followed by individual confession. For additional information, contact Timothy Johnston, assistant director of liturgical programs, at 8-0522.

16. Gift sale to benefit physical therapy scholarship fund ends tomorrow

The "almost everything $6 gift sale" in the AMU will continue through Friday, Nov. 30. The hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sale features gifts, jewelry and accessories, with 20 percent of the sale proceeds going to the Physical Therapy Faculty Student Scholarship Fund. Items will include both licensed merchandise greater than $6 and specials under $6.

Marquette Cash and credit cards are accepted. Those interested in making a contribution to the scholarship fund to assist graduate students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program can contact Kathleen Ludington, director of development for the College of Health Sciences, at 8-1410.

17. Marquette Faculty/Staff Chorale to present annual Christmas concert

The Marquette Faculty/Staff Chorale will present its annual Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 6, at 11:30 a.m. in Varsity Theatre. Marquette faculty, staff and students are encouraged to come and enjoy this free concert of Renaissance, modern and traditional carols.

18. Free group fitness classes on Friday

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering the following free group fitness classes to members tomorrow, Nov. 30. The following classes will be offered free of charge:

Rec Center: