MARCH 21, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Book discussion leaders needed for First Year Reading Program

The steering committee for the First Year Reading Program is pleased to announce that the class of 2017 will discuss Chitra Divakaruni's One Amazing Thing. The novel follows a group of strangers trapped by an earthquake; they find relief and readers find inspiration in the stories they tell about their diverse but converging lives.

Divakaruni, author of the bestselling novels Sister of My Heart, The Palace of Illusions and The Mistress of Spices, is a professor of creative writing at the University of Houston. She will speak to the entire incoming class at the Convocation on the first day of orientation. The book discussion will take place late in the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 22.

Faculty and academic staff interested in acting as book discussion leaders should contact Dr. James Marten, chair and professor of history, at 8-7901 by Friday, April 19.

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2. John Steinbeck's work to be performed, analyzed

The Center for Peacemaking will host author/actor/educator Paul McComas, a Milwaukee native and two-time recipient of the Chicago Reader's "Critic's Choice" in Theater and Performance, Monday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom D. The event is free and open to the public.

Three-quarters of a century after the publication of "the great American novella" Of Mice and Men (1937) and the epic Depression-era protest novel The Grapes of Wrath (1939), McComas will present dramatic readings from, and commentary on, these and three other Steinbeck classics.

McComas is the author of four acclaimed books: two novels, Planet of the Dates and Unplugged, and two short-story collections, Unforgettable (a Silver Prize-winner at 2012's Midwest Book Awards) and Twenty Questions. A recipient of the Mental Health Association's Distinguished Service Award, he serves on the National Leadership Council of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

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3. Registration still open for Halo Project Interfaith Summit

The College of Business Administration and the Center for Teaching and Learning will host the Halo Project Interfaith Summit Friday, March 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the AMU, 227. This summit will bring faith community leaders together with faculty and students to create dialogue about faith traditions and social justice in Milwaukee. A panel featuring Muslim, Jewish, Protestant and Roman Catholic representatives will begin the event, followed by table conversations to further explore partnerships for research, service learning and internships.

Breakfast is included. Space is limited; registration can be completed online. This event is supported with a grant from the Simmons Religious Commitment Fund. For additional information, contact Dr. Noreen Lephardt, adjunct associate professor of economics, at 8-7411, or Dr. Susan Mountin, director of Manresa for Faculty in the Center for Teaching and Learning, at 8-3693.

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4. Panel discussion on engaging LGBTQA community is tonight

The Gender Sexuality Alliance will host "Bringing the Rainbow to Marquette," Thursday, March 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites. This panel discussion is aimed at building awareness and engaging the campus community on various concerns impacting the LGBTQA+ community at large and on campus. The panel will be staffed by GSA members and moderated by Dr. Susannah Bartlow, director of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center.

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5. Attend training session on new D2L upgrade system

Desire2Learn, the university's core management system, will be upgraded to version 10 during Commencement weekend, May 17 to 19. Six training sessions for the new software have been scheduled for the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 26, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 2, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Friday, April 19, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, April 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to noon

Faculty teaching summer courses, both online and in the classroom, are strongly encouraged to attend. Registration can be completed online.

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6. Colloquium to address estimation and assimilation strategies for lagrangian ocean data

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Spring 2013 Colloquium Series will host "Estimation and Assimilation Strategies for Lagrangian Ocean Data," Tuesday, March 26, at 2 p.m. in Olin, 120. Dr. Elaine T. Spiller, assistant professor of mathematics, statistics, and computer science, will lead the seminar.

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

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7. Applications for Women's and Gender Studies fellowships due March 27

The Women's and Gender Studies program is seeking proposals for four research fellowships to be awarded to faculty and undergraduate students. Two collaborative research fellowships will be awarded to faculty and undergraduate student teams for research to be performed in the summer and fall of 2013 related to gender and/or sexuality. In addition, two undergraduate summer research fellowships will be awarded for undergraduate research related to gender and/or sexuality, performed under the supervision of a faculty member during the summer of 2013.

Students and faculty in all disciplines and colleges are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, students must be undergraduates who will be enrolled at Marquette in the fall of 2013. All fellowship recipients will be expected to present their research to the campus community at a formal event in November. Contact Carla Hay, associate professor of history, at 8-7150, for an application. Applications are due by Friday, March 27.

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8. AMUW Spring Book Club to discuss The Aviator's Wife

The Association of Marquette University Women will host its annual Spring Book Club Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites. All faculty and staff are invited to read the book and join AMUW for an evening of conversation about The Aviator's Wife.

This event is free and open to the public; registration can be completed online by Monday, May 6. For additional information, contact AMUW or Andreana Moody, advancement associate, at 8-0359.

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9. Marquette women's basketball earns WNIT bid, will host Northern Iowa Friday

The women's basketball team has earned a WNIT bid and will host Northern Iowa Friday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at the Al McGuire Center. Tickets are $10 for reserved seats and $7 for general admission bench seating. Groups of 15 or more can purchase tickets for $4 each. Tickets may be purchased by calling the ticket office at 8-4668 or in person at the Al McGuire Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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10. Physical therapy class looking for babies for motor skills "Baby Lab"

The Department of Physical Therapy's Lifespan Development class is looking for babies from 0 to 18 months old to be observed during a motor skills lab. PT students will work in small groups to analyze the children's movements, including observing spontaneous activity as well as performing tests to elicit certain reflexes, reactions and motor skills. Parents will be present during the activities and older siblings are welcome to come along. There will be two sessions:

• Monday, April 22, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monday, April 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Parents must register their children for participation by Wednesday, April 10. For additional information or to participate, contact Emilie Aubert, adjunct associate professor of physical therapy, at 8-3378.

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11. NeuroMotor Control Laboratory seeking children for research study

The NeuroMotor Control Laboratory is seeking healthy right-handed children ages 11-18 for a study investigating motor coordination and brain activity. Study participation involves three research sessions at the Medical College of Wisconsin. During each session, children will be asked to play a video game in which they move the handle of an exercise device to control graphics on a computer screen.

The final session involves participation in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a non-invasive, non-harmful way of measuring the children's brain activity. Parents and children will be asked to complete questionnaires about the child's development. Children are not allowed to participate if they have metal within the body, such as orthodontic braces, aneurysm clips, metal implants or pacemakers. Participants will be compensated $15 per hour for practice sessions and $30 per hour for the MRI session and will be provided with free parking. Sessions will last up to 2 hours. Boys, in particular, are needed for the study. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

The study has been approved by Marquette's and the Medical College of Wisconsin's Institutional Review Board for the protection of human subjects. For more information or to volunteer, contact Nicole Salowitz, research assistant of biomedical engineering, or Dr. Robert Scheidt, associate professor of biomedical engineering, at 8-6184.

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12. TIAA-CREF consultants available for free financial counseling

In conjunction with TIAA-CREF, Marquette will offer individual and confidential financial counseling sessions for faculty and staff. The 45-minute sessions will answer three common questions asked by participants: am I saving enough for retirement, am I properly allocated, and what are the options for taking distributions from my account? One-on-one sessions are available Tuesday, March 26, in the AMU, 368 and Wednesday, March 27, in the AMU, 231.

To schedule an appointment, call (866) 843-5640, Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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13. First Year Photo Project to be exhibited Friday

The Office of Student Development will host an exhibit of photography from five first-year students Friday, March 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m in Raynor Memorial Libraries. Five students were chosen for the First Year Photo Project to document their first-year experience at Marquette in still photography. This exhibit is free and open to the public.

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14. Faber Center to offer Bible study on gospel of Luke

The Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality will host a weekly Bible study group, "Luke – The Good News of God's Mercy," beginning Wednesday, April 3, from noon to 1 p.m. in Schroeder Complex, 111. Michael Dante, director of the Faber Center, and Rev. J.J. O'Leary, S.J., associate director of the Faber Center, will facilitate the group.

Space is limited; register by Thursday, March 28, by contacting the Faber Center 8-4545.

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15. Palm Sunday Mass is at 9 p.m. on March 24

The campus community will celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Sunday, March 24, at 9 p.m. in the Church of the Gesu. The 4 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Masses will not be celebrated.

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

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16. Jewish Student Union to host Passover Seder

In honor of Passover, the Jewish Student Union will be holding a Passover Seder Sunday, March 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Center for Intercultural Engagement. Food will be served at the event; all members of the Marquette community are invited to attend.

For more information, contact Ryan Perel.

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17. Commuter Value Pass deadline is March 22

The deadline to participate in the Commuter Value Pass payroll deduction program is Friday, March 22. Formerly known as the Easy Pass, the Commuter Value Pass offers unlimited Milwaukee County bus rides, including Freeway Flyers and special event shuttles to the Bradley Center, Miller Park and other locations.

The program costs $210 per quarter and can be deducted before taxes to save money. Sign up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the AMU, Union Station, for passes that will be good during April, May and June. Those who wish to drop the pass must also do so in Union Station by March 22.

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18. Free group fitness classes on Friday

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering the following free group fitness classes to members tomorrow, March 22. The following classes will be offered free of charge:

Rec Center:

• Spin Class at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Boot Camp at 4 p.m.

Rec Plex:

• Variety Class at noon

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

Faculty and staff can purchase a Fit Pass, which will serve as an all-access pass for fitness classes after spring break. The pass is $30, and participants can choose to have access to aerobics classes only or spin classes only. An Ultimate Pass can be purchased for $40, and will give participants access to any class at either facility. Passes may be obtained between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. from the Group Fitness Office at the Rec Center. For additional information, call 8-6979.

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