1. Accreditation site visit set for fall 2013

The Higher Learning Commission, Marquette University's accrediting agency, will conduct its onsite visit Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2013. During the past year, more than 120 faculty, staff and student members on nine subcommittees and the steering committee have been working to prepare a self-study report, articulating the excellent work the university does and reflecting on areas where improvement may be made. The campus community will be able to review and comment on the self-study draft between Jan. 28 and Feb. 15, 2013. The self-study includes five core criteria, along with a section dedicated to federal compliance.

Additional information and a timeline of the process can be found in the October issue of Marquette Matters or on the accreditation website. Recently posted on the website is the latest progress report, which provides a brief summary of the goals and accomplishments of the steering committee and subcommittees.

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2. Memorial service for Dr. Eufemia "Femy" Sanchez de la Calle is tomorrow

A memorial service for Dr. Eufemia "Femy" Sanchez de la Calle, director of the Marquette en Madrid Program, will be held this Friday, Oct. 12, at 4 p.m. in the AMU, Chapel of the Holy Family.

A gathering will be held afterward in the AMU with light refreshments. Please join the campus community in remembering the gift Femy was to Marquette University, and all that she embodied as a teacher, colleague, friend, mentor and director.

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3. University mourns the death of Mary T. (Klein) Diederich, A&S '52

Marquette University alumna Mary T. (Klein) Diederich, Arts & Sciences '52, passed away on September 30, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Mary and her husband Bill Diederich, the founding inspiration behind The Weather Channel and prominent owner of numerous newspapers who died in 2006, made one of the largest charitable gifts in the history of Wisconsin in 2005: the couple established the J. William and Mary Diederich Charitable Lead Trust through a $25 million gift to Marquette. This exceptional contribution was directed to support a number of initiatives within what was then called the Marquette College of Communication, subsequently renamed the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication. Bill and Mary's generosity has resulted in the renovation of Johnston Hall, including the upgrading of broadcast studios from analog to digital; endowments to support professors, research and scholarships; the creation of programs to bring top experts in the field of communication to visit Marquette; and other initiatives to bring together the fields of print, broadcast and electronic communication and journalism.

Mary and Bill chose to make a difference at Marquette because the university made a difference in their lives. Specifically, Marquette was where the couple originally met as students. After marrying during Bill's senior year, Mary graduated and played viola for many years in the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra and later in the Carson City Symphony Orchestra. She was a cantor and choir member in all of the Catholic parishes to which she and Bill belonged throughout their lives and was a devoted mother to the 13 children she and Bill raised, who live throughout the country.

Diederich College of Communication Dean Lori Bergen said: "All of us at Marquette are deeply saddened by the death of Mary Diederich. Our thoughts are with her family. Because of her generosity and that of her husband Bill, their spirits live on through their gifts to our college and Marquette, through which the Diederich family has created an enduring legacy."

Services will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Norfolk, Va., on Friday, Nov. 23. A service and interment will be held at a future date in Port Washington, Wis.

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4. Vice presidential debate viewing party at the Annex tonight

MUSG and the Les Aspin Center for Government will co-sponsor a viewing party for the vice presidential debate Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Annex. The debate will start at 8 p.m., but students are encouraged to come early to enjoy a limited supply of free food.

The viewing party will be non-partisan; all political affiliations are welcome. For more information, contact Alex Lahr, MUSG communications vice president.

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5. Pile driving begins today at Dental School, expected to last one month

Beginning today, work will begin on installing the earthwork system at the Dental School Building for the Future Expansion Project. This will involve driving piles into the ground, which may result in loud noises and vibrations on campus between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. This portion of the project should last approximately one month.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Office of the Architect at 8-7335.

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6. Liturgical celebration of 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council is tonight

The Marquette community is invited to a liturgical celebration Thursday, Oct. 11, at 10 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Chapel, which will commence the university-wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.

Fifty years ago on this date, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council, the largest ecumenical council in the Church's history. Over the next year, the university will host a variety of events to help further dialogue concerning the impact the council made on the Church and the world.

For more information, contact Rev. Thomas Anderson, S.J., assistant director of campus ministry, at 8-4203.

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7. Register for open house for College of Nursing's new Center for Clinical Simulation, Oct. 19

The College of Nursing will hold an open house for the new Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Center for Clinical Simulation Friday, Oct. 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Emory T. Clark Hall. All are invited to see firsthand how the university is setting a high standard in health care delivery through excellence in nursing education. The new state-of-the-science clinical simulation center provides a realistic health care environment where students can strengthen essential clinical competencies, develop sound clinical reasoning and prepare for high-risk patient situations.

Reserve a spot for the open house by contacting University Special Events at 8-7431. Free parking is available in the 16th Street Parking Structure between West Wisconsin Avenue and West Wells Street.

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8. Gender Sexuality Alliance to hold open mic night as part of National Coming Out Day

The Gender Sexuality Alliance will celebrate LGBTQA diversity on campus with "Chronicles of the Closet," an open mic night Thursday, Oct. 11, in the AMU, Brew Bayou, where members of campus can share their coming out stories.

The event is being held in conjunction with National Coming Out Day, an internationally observed civil awareness day for coming out and for discussion of LGBTQA issues, as well as the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

For more information, contact Bin Han Ong.

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9. Applications for Les Aspin Center winter break program in Africa due Monday

The Les Aspin Center will offer a study abroad opportunity in Ghana over winter break. During the three-credit course, students will examine the manner in which culture, values and identity shape global and domestic politics in a developing democracy. Applications are available online and are due by Monday, Oct. 15.

For more information, contact Meghan Lefeber, manager of business and programs at the Les Aspin Center for Government, at 202-544-6265.

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10. Lecture to address history of nonviolence in Afghanistan

The Center for Peacemaking will present "Nonviolence in Afghanistan," Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in the AMU, 227, in conjunction with the 11th anniversary of the American military presence in Afghanistan. Patrick Kennelly, associate director of the Center for Peacemaking, will provide a concise history of Afghanistan during the last 30 years and an overview of peacemaking efforts in the country. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a discussion on what can be done to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan.

For additional information, contact Carole Poth at 8-8446.

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11. President and CEO of the Stimson Center next guest for "On the Issues"

Ellen Laipson, president and CEO of the Stimson Center, will be the next guest for "On the Issues with Mike Gousha," Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. On the 67th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Laipson will provide perspective and insight on the role of the U.N. today, and recent events in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, including the civil war in Syria, the aftermath of the Arab Spring movement and Iran's nuclear threat, among others.

Laipson has held key positions at the National Intelligence Agency, U.N. and National Security Council. In 2002, after 25 years of government experience, she joined the Stimson Center, a non-partisan Washington think tank focused on national and international security issues. Laipson currently leads Stimson and frequently gives speeches on Middle East issues.

Register online.

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12. Department of Philosophy to host lecture on Averroes' account of prophecy

The Department of Philosophy will host "Averroes' Philosophical Account of Prophecy," as part of the Midwest Seminar in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites. Dr. Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, will deliver the lecture.

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

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13. Colloquium to address smartphone technologies

The Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science will host a colloquium Friday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. in Cudahy Hall, 401. Jahangir Majumder, research assistant, and Md. Osman Gani, teaching assistant, will present "Towards a Novel Real-Time Smartphone-Based Fall Prevention System and Wi-Fi based Localization on Smartphones."

For more information, contact the Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science at 8-7573.

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14. College of Professional Studies to hold undergraduate degree information sessions

The College of Professional Studies will hold an undergraduate degree information session for prospective adult students Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in Cudahy, 414. Information presented will include eight-week session bachelor's degree programs, Saturday sessions, weeknight sessions, blended online education and fully online course offerings, the application process and financial aid opportunities. Register online or by contacting the College of Professional Studies at 8-3153.

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15. Submit artwork for display in the AMU

The Information Center in the Alumni Memorial Union is looking for student artwork to display as part of its semi-annual "Artist in You" contest. To submit an entry, email a digital photo of the artwork, the artist's name, contact information and dimensions of the piece by Wednesday, Oct. 17. All artwork will be returned at the end of the fall semester. For additional information, stop by the Information Center on the second floor of the AMU.

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16. Free group fitness classes on Friday

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering the following free group fitness classes to members tomorrow, Oct. 12. The following classes will be offered free of charge:

Rec Center:

  • Zumba at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Spin at 4 p.m.

Rec Plex:

  • Hot Lunch Variety at noon
  • Zumba at 3 p.m.

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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