1. Mission Week events begin Monday, tickets available for keynote event

 

All Opus Prize guests will be interviewed together for the first time, a compelling public conversation among international leaders of faith and justice at the Mission Week keynote event, The World is our Home, Thursday Feb. 7, at 4 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre.

Ambassador Mark Dybul, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, will facilitate. The fund has invested nearly $23 billion in support of large-scale prevention, treatment and care programs, and Dybul is widely recognized as a visionary leader on global health for his role in creating and implementing the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, the largest global health initiative undertaken to address a single disease.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are required and are available in the AMU, Brooks Lounge. One ticket per MUID will be issued. For additional information, contact University Special Events at 8-7431 or visit the Mission Week website.

After the keynote event, meet the Opus Prize recipients, who will be scattered among various "salons" for individual and small-group conversations, Thursday, Feb. 7, at 5:15 p.m. on the second floor of the AMU. Wander among the salons and talk personally with these amazing women and men of faith who have made the world and its people their home. All Opus Prize recipients and representatives will attend.

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2. New password reset method uses security questions

 

The university community has a new method to reset forgotten and/or expired passwords: by answering security questions. If you know your unexpired password, you can change it without answering the security questions.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit https://pwdreg.mu.edu/ to register answers to your security questions before your password expires. Your answers will be used to validate your identity before you can reset a forgotten or expired password. Learn more about how to register your security questions and how to reset your password if forgotten or expired.

You will also receive email message warnings asking you to reset you password before your password expires.

Please remember that safeguarding your password is critical to protecting your personal information. IT Services will never ask for your password. If you have questions please contact the Help Desk at 8-7799.

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3. W-2 tax forms available online

W-2 tax forms are now available online via MyJob. Login and select "MU Employee Self Service," "Personal Actions," "Employee W-2" and "Start."

Printing the W-2 from this webpage is an acceptable copy for attaching to annual tax returns. Use the printer icon on the form, not the printer icon on your browsers, to print the form.

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

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4. Seminar to address gene therapy approaches to spinal cord injuries

The Biological Sciences Seminar Series will host "Rebooting the Growth Machinery: Gene Therapy Approaches to Spinal Cord Injury," Friday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. Dr. Murray Blackmore, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, will lead the seminar, which will be hosted by Dr. Michelle Mynlieff, associate professor of biological sciences.

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.

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5. Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science colloquium series to begin tomorrow

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science colloquium series will host "On Generalized Gamma Convolution Distributions," Friday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. in Cudahy, 401. Dr. Gholamhossein Hamedani, professor of mathematics, statistics and computer science, will deliver the lecture.

Pre-colloquium refreshments will be served at 12:30 p.m. in Cudahy, 342. For additional information or questions, contact Dr. Rong Ge, assistant professor of mathematics, statistics and computer science, at 8-6344.

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6. Lecture to address strengths and barriers in womanist AIDS activism

The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center will host "Strengths and Barriers: Spirituality and Religion in Womanist AIDS Activism," Monday, Feb. 4, from noon to 1 p.m. in the AMU, 425. Dr. Angelique Harris, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences, will deliver the lecture.

RSVP by Monday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. to receive a free lunch.

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7. Apply for new faculty learning community focused on developing contemplative pedagogies by Feb. 1

The Center for Teaching and Learning is launching a new faculty experience focused on developing contemplative pedagogies across the curriculum. The experience will begin with a reading group of no more than 12 members that will meet Feb. 14, Feb. 21, March 21, April 4 and April 18, from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The initial text will be Arthur Zajonc and Parker Palmer's The Heart of Higher Education. Faculty participants in the learning community will receive a free copy of the text.

Information about the application is available online. Applications are due Feb. 1. For additional information, contact Dr. Susan Mountin, director of Manresa for Faculty, at 8-3693.

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8. Opus Prize recipients Rev. Trevor Miranda, S.J., and Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann will be honored during Mission Week 2013

The 10 Opus Prize recipients will be celebrated at events throughout Mission Week. Background on the achievements of two Opus Prize recipients can be found below, and additional information on all the recipients is available on the Mission Week website.

2005 Opus Prize recipient Rev. Trevor Miranda, S.J., founded and runs a system of 450 one-room schools known as the Reach Education Action Programme. Located along one of India's most populous and poverty-stricken transportation corridors, REAP provides early childhood education programs in the hope of encouraging poor families to continue to send their children to school. Since 1998, REAP has succeeded in leading thousands of children into the mainstream municipal school system and established microfinance opportunities for thousands of women while promoting the conviction that they can be agents of social change. Through education, students discover a world of opportunity that stands in stark contrast to the factories and garbage dumps in which they might otherwise have to work during their adult lives.

2006 Opus Prize recipient Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann created Pastoral da Criança, a network of volunteers and community leaders dedicated to addressing family issues among the poor in Brazil and Latin America, particularly those related to the care of mothers and children. In the municipality where her work began, infant mortality dropped from 127 deaths per 1,000 births to only 28 deaths in just one year, and malnutrition declined significantly. Her focus soon went beyond infants to the care of children up to the age of 6. Today, Pastoral da Criança is actively changing lives, breaking barriers and creating hope for millions of families thanks to its 212,000 volunteers and leaders serving more than 1.5 million mothers and children in Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean. Neumann lost her life in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Her valiant work continues under the guidance of her son, Dr. Nelson Neumann, who is representing Pastoral de Criança during Mission Week and brings his mother's spirit to campus.

For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit the Mission Week website.

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9. Attend reception for Dr. Jo Lusi and Nadine Lusi on Monday

Visit with Dr. Jo Lusi and Nadine Lusi, husband and daughter of the late Lyn Lusi, who co-founded HEAL Africa, at a reception hosted by the College of Professional Studies. A presentation will be made Monday, Feb. 4, at 5 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom, followed by a reception at 6 p.m.

Registration is required. For additional information, contact University Special Events at 8-7431 or visit the Mission Week website.

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10. Two breakfast receptions with Opus Prize recipients will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5

Join Opus Prize recipient Rev. Trevor Miranda, S.J., and College of Education students and faculty for conversation about his creative work and a continental breakfast, Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 8 a.m. in Schroeder Complex, 112. This event is hosted by the College of Education. Registration is required. Capacity is limited. For additional information, contact University Special Events at 8-7431 or visit the Mission Week website.

Students and faculty interested in social entrepreneurship should attend a breakfast reception with Opus Prize recipient Monsignor Richard Albert to learn more about Monsignor Albert's groundbreaking work with Helping Hands for the Poor, Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 8:30 a.m. in the Straz Hall Atrium. Registration is required. Capacity is limited. For additional information, contact University Special Events at 8-7431.

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11. Learn about communication lessons from Pastoral da Criança

Behind the scenes at every large-scale humanitarian effort are the countless volunteers and staff members who coordinate efforts to provide services and support to neighbors in need. Join Dr. Kati Tusinski Berg's class for a discussion on mobilizing support from our neighbors, featuring communication lessons from Pastoral da Criança, an exemplar of mobilizing the efforts of hundreds of thousands of volunteers.

Opus Prize recipient Dr. Nelson Neumann, founder of Pastoral da Criança, will discuss how the organization coordinates its efforts Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 9:30 a.m. in Johnston Hall, 415. The lived experience of the organization and its leaders will provide a case study for students to consider how strategic communication can help them serve their local and global neighbors.

This event is sponsored by the College of Communication. Registration is required. Capacity is limited. For additional information, contact University Special Events at 8-7431 or visit the Mission Week website.

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12. Guided meditation sessions offered throughout the semester

The Employee Wellness Program will offer three guided meditation sessions throughout the semester. Each session will be four weeks, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 13, and will be held every Wednesday from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Coughlin Hall, 001. The cost for each four-week session is $16; space is limited to 15 participants per class.

Additional information and registration can be found online. For additional questions, contact Kristin Kipp, adjunct instructor of physical therapy, at 8-4476.

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13. Region and program-specific study abroad information sessions to be held

Faculty and staff are requested to encourage students interested in studying abroad to attend a region or program-specific study abroad information sessions next week, Feb. 3 through Feb. 11. Sessions will cover types of programs, academics, scheduling, housing, financial aid and the application process. Additional information and specific dates and times can be found online.

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14. Praise and Worship offered Monday

Praise and Worship style prayer will be offered Monday, Feb. 4, in the Chapel of the Holy Family, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by fellowship. The event is co-sponsored by Campus Ministry, Cru, InterVarsity, Knights of Columbus and Lutheran Campus Ministry.

For more information, contact Steve Blaha, assistant director of Campus Ministry at 8-6873.

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15. Free group fitness classes on Friday

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering the following free group fitness classes to members tomorrow, Feb. 1. The following classes will be offered free of charge:

Rec Center:

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

Rec Plex:

  • Variety Class at 11:50 a.m.
  • Dance Fitness 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.

Registration for the Leprechaun Leap 5K sponsored by the Fitness Assessment Center will officially open Friday, Feb. 1. Stop by the Rec Center or the Rec Plex for more details or contact the Fitness Assessment Center at 8-5624.

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16. News Briefs will be published every day during Mission Week

News Briefs will be published daily during Mission Week, Feb. 4–8, to keep the campus community informed of events. Submit items for consideration online.

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