1. College of Communication receives $8.3 million gift to fund public service journalism fellowship

A couple has donated $8.3 million to the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication, President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., announced yesterday.

Peter and Patricia Frechette, of Minneapolis, made the gift in honor of Patricia's parents, Perry and Alicia O'Brien. Perry and Alicia graduated from Marquette in 1936 and 1935, with degrees in journalism and liberal arts. The couple designated the gift toward the launch of "The Perry and Alicia O'Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism." Patricia's father, Perry, was a longtime reporter with the Janesville Gazette.

"This remarkable contribution will allow us to enhance our commitment to innovative academic excellence," said Pilarz.

The new fellowship, which will begin in fall 2013, will bring three journalists from all types of media to Marquette for each academic year. During this time, the journalists will research and produce an in-depth public service journalism project.

The fellowships will integrate students from the Diederich College of Communication into the journalism projects as assistants, exposing them to first-hand experience in the work of journalism. Dr. Lori Bergen, dean of the Diederich College of Communication, described the fellowship as the "teaching hospital model" of journalism, noting it will be "consistent with experiential teaching and learning."

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2. Raynor Memorial Libraries to host discussion on Peter Jackson's film, The Hobbit

Raynor Memorial Libraries will host "A Roundtable Discussion on Peter Jackson's The Hobbit," Thursday, Feb. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites B/C.

Tolkien scholars Dr. Robin Reid of Texas A&M University, Dr. Yvette Kisor of Ramapo College of New Jersey, Dr. Edward L. Risden of St. Norbert College and Richard C. West of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will share insights on Jackson's film adaptation and engage in a lively conversation about the work.

This event is in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic, The Hobbit. The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited; all attendees are asked to pre-register with the Library Archives at 8-7256 by Wednesday, Feb. 20, at noon.

For more information, contact Emily Zegers, assistant librarian and coordinator of marketing and outreach for the Dean's Office, at 8-7068.

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3. Simmons Fund applications deadline extended to Feb. 23

The submission deadline for proposals to the Edward D. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund is Saturday, Feb. 23, for grants for the 2013-14 academic year. The fund finances small projects or seed money for programs and events that deepen the religious nature of Marquette. Grants generally range from $500 to $2,500. Proposals that promote religious aspects of the mission of the university will be given preference.

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4. Workshops to address undergraduate learning in the disciplines

David Pace and Joan Middendorf, national experts on teaching and learning in the disciplines, will conduct two workshops introducing an approach to undergraduate learning known as "Decoding the Disciplines." These interactive workshops will address why students struggle to master fundamental concepts and how assignments can be designed to get them through the "bottlenecks" of disciplinary learning.

"Decoding the Disciplines" will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Cudahy Hall, 401. In this session, participants will learn how to "decode" their own unconscious disciplinary competence in order to make it available to students. Participants will view videotapes of and conduct their own decoding interviews and practice modeling techniques. Light refreshments will be served.

"Decoding Emotional Bottlenecks" will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites B/C. In this cross-disciplinary workshop, participants will view videos of "Decoding the Disciplines" interviews applied to emotional bottlenecks and consider useful frameworks for understanding and overcoming these problems. Participants will design questions to address emotional bottlenecks in their own courses and discuss ways to uncover the patterns of emotions in their disciplines. Lunch will be provided.

Both workshops are sponsored by the Ott Memorial Writing Center, with the support of a Mellon Grant and in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning. Registration for both workshops is available online. For more information, contact Karina Mendoza, office assistant in the Center for Teaching and Learning.

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5. Journalism professor to present research at Gender and Sexuality Resource Center event

The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center will host "Television Boys' Clubhouses as Wedding Chapels: Who Needs a Bride?" Tuesday, Feb. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in the AMU, 425. Dr. Pamela Nettleton, assistant professor of journalism, will present her research at the event.

This event is free and includes lunch. RSVP by Monday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. to guarantee a lunch.

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6. Faculty to share research paths at "One Thing Led to Another" seminar

Dr. James Marten, Dr. Kim Factor and Dr. Chris Foley will discuss the paths they followed to their research and academic focuses at a "One Thing Led to Another" seminar, Monday, Feb. 18, from noon to 1:15 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suite A.

  • Dr. James Marten, chair and professor of history, will present "A Caution for Fun: Helping to 'Invent' Children's History."

  • Dr. Kim Factor, associate professor of math, statistics and computer science, will present "I Am Never Going to College: Yeah…Right!"

  • Dr. Christopher Foley, chair and professor in civil, construction, and environmental engineering, will present "Supercomputing to Highway Signs - A Journey from Doctoral Student to Department Chair."

A complimentary light lunch will be served. For more information or to register, contact Jennie Schatzman, office coordinator, at 8-7225. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Manresa for Faculty in the Center for Teaching and Learning.

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7. Global Discussion Series to focus on "What's Next for the Middle East?"

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Raynor Memorial Libraries and the Office of International Education will host the third installment of the Global Discussion Series, "What's Next for the Middle East?," Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Raynor Memorial Libraries' lower level conference room. This discussion will focus on the large questions facing the region and will allow faculty and students to share their views, experiences and research questions. Tea and coffee will be served. A librarian will also be present to provide reliable sources to further explore topics discussed.

This event is free and open to all faculty, staff and students. For additional information, contact the Office of International Education at 8-7289.

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8. Colloquium to focus on high frequency transducers

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Spring 2013 Colloquium Series will host, "Two-Dimensional High Frequency Resonant Transducers based on Atomically-Thin Nanostructures – Graphene and Beyond," Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. in Olin Engineering, 120. Dr. Philip Feng, assistant professor of Electrical Engineering at the Case School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, will lead the seminar.

Refreshments will be served prior to the seminar at 1:30 p.m. in Olin Engineering, 204-A. For more information, contact the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at 8-6820.

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9. Committee on Research and Board of Graduate Studies to host faculty forum

The Committee on Research and the University Board of Graduate Studies invite faculty to a discussion on future directions in research and graduate education Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the AMU, 163. The forum will utilize small group discussion focusing on topics such as:

  • Identifying areas of research/scholarship strength and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration;

  • Increasing the role of graduate education on campus;

  • Supporting increased student involvement in research; and

  • Increasing the role of graduate education on campus;

The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Kerry Egdorf, ombuds and adjunct assistant professor. Summary information from this session will be available on the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs research forum website for future planning. Ideas for potential university strategic plan goals will also be forwarded through the strategic planning feedback process.

RSVP to Melody Baker, administrative assistant in the Graduate School, at 8-1532.

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10. Marquette Wind Ensemble to host concert Feb. 24

The Marquette University Wind Ensemble will welcome guest soloist John Beck for a concert, "Music of the Dance," Sunday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre.

Beck, an internationally-renowned soloist and educator, is an artist and faculty member at the North Carolina School of the Arts. He will perform two works with the wind ensemble as a part of this concert. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Erik Janners, director of music in the Office of Student Development, at 8-7125.

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11. Prize-winning pianist to join Marquette Symphony Orchestra for winter concert

Prize-winning pianist Hwaen Ch'uqi will join the Marquette Symphony Orchestra for a winter concert Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre. Ch'uqi will perform with the orchestra in Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1. Also on the concert's program is Mozart's Overture to the Magic Flute, Haydn's Symphony No. 94 'Surprise,' and Strauss, Jr.'s Blue Danube Waltz.

For more information, contact Dr. Jason Ladd, assistant director of instrumental music, at 8-7476.

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12. Submit feedback on new interface for Marquette website

The Office of Marketing and Communication has developed a new interface for the Marquette website, and a prototype is available for the university community to review. Faculty, staff and students are invited to review the prototype and share suggestions or recommendations via the feedback forms available on each page. The prototype will be open for review until mid-February, with the goal of beginning implementation of a new web interface this summer.

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13. Nominations sought for female staff who support underrepresented students

Intercultural Engagement in the Office of Student Development is seeking nominations for the Fourth Annual Golden Roses: A Tribute to the Women at Marquette. Golden Roses is a celebration recognizing female staff, faculty and administrators for their contributions towards supporting underrepresented students in the campus community.

More information on Golden Roses and the nomination form can be found online. Nominations can be made by any Marquette community member and must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 18. For additional questions, contact Intercultural Engagement at 8-7205.

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14. Cancer support group available for employees

The Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality will hold a cancer support group Monday, Feb. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. in Schroeder Complex, 111. The group is open to all who are dealing with cancer in their lives, whether as a patient, a survivor, or a friend or family member of someone suffering from cancer. A light lunch will be served.

To reserve a spot, contact Ellen Blonski, administrative assistant, at 8-7205.

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15. Suicide prevention training offered Feb. 21

The Counseling Center will hold a "Question, Persuade, Refer" (QPR) suicide prevention training session Thursday, Feb. 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in AMU, 254. QPR training is a nationally recognized program designed to save lives by teaching individuals to identify and refer someone who may be suicidal. During the training session, participants will learn about the risks and warning signs of suicide, how to talk to someone about suicide and how to facilitate appropriate mental health referrals to sites at Marquette and within the Milwaukee community.

For more information and registration, contact the Counseling Center at 8-7172. Those unable to make the training may schedule a private QPR training with a group of ten or more individuals.

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16. GROW with Marquette to offer seminar on communication skills

GROW with Marquette will host "True Colors," a seminar on communication skill building, Friday, Feb. 22, with identical sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the AMU, Ballroom C/D. This user-friendly personality traits seminar uses colors to identify four distinct perspectives and personalities and uses results to lead to enhanced relationships, increased understanding and improved communication. Dr. Robert Ray Meadows, former associate director of 4-H and professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, will lead the seminar.

RSVP to reserve a space for an individual or a department by contacting GROW with Marquette at 8-1560.

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17. Pre-law students and advisors invited to Wisconsin Statewide Minority Students and Advisor Seminar Day

The 2013 Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Minority Students and Advisors Day will be held Friday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison. This free event for pre-law students and academic advisors will include conversation with admissions officers from Marquette University Law School and the University of Wisconsin Law School. For those traveling from Milwaukee to Madison, free round-trip bus transportation is available from the law schools.

Registration for the event and free bus transportation can be completed online. Participants must register separately for the event and transportation. This event is cosponsored by Marquette University Law School, the University of Wisconsin Center for Academic Excellence, the University of Wisconsin Law School and Multicultural Affairs and Student Success at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

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18. Free group fitness classes on Friday, register for 5k

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering the following free group fitness classes to members tomorrow, Feb. 15. The following classes will be offered free of charge:

Rec Center:

  • Cardio Kickboxing at 4 p.m.
  • Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Rec Plex:

  • Full Body Sculpt at 3 p.m.

In addition, registration for the Leprechaun Leap 5k is now open. Registration is available in the main office at the Rec Center or 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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