January 2009

Now is the time to encourage your students to fill out important financial aid forms to make sure they are eligible for assistance. Marquette recommends that students complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 15, so it is processed and sent to Marquette by the March 1 Priority Deadline. Complete and submit the FAFSA online. The student and one parent will need their own federal pin numbers to electronically sign the FAFSA. You can apply for a federal pin or reapply for a duplicate online.

If the FAFSA is filed after the March 1 Priority Deadline, financial aid could be reduced or eliminated due to limited funding. Any required documents must also be submitted to the Marquette Office of Student Financial Aid within 45 days of the office’s initial request for missing documents. Missing documents are listed on Checkmarq. Questions can be directed to the Financial Aid Office at (414) 288-7390.

Mission Week features speakers, service activities

Mission Week, a celebration of the university’s Jesuit, Catholic mission of excellence, faith, leadership and service, is fast approaching. Campus Ministry will kick-off the week with an All-University Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at Gesu Church. Marquette’s Liturgical Choir will join the Gospel Choir for this important annual celebration.

Dr. Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, will receive an honorary degree from Marquette in ceremonies at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Alumni Memorial Union. Ebadi will provide personal remarks after the ceremony as the keynote speaker of Marquette’s Mission Week.

This year’s Mission Week theme, “iAct: Consequences of Faith,” reflects the importance of putting one’s beliefs into action. Additional information on Mission Week events is available online.

Campus Ministry offers service trips, spiritual reflection opportunities

Campus Ministry sponsors a series of spring break alternative trips through which students can give a week of service to those in need. The Marquette Action Program (M.A.P.) offers trips to various areas of the United States. This year, students will travel to 16 different sites over the course of spring break.

In addition, a full schedule of retreats for students at every level is available during the spring semester. With the busy nature of college life, students enjoy taking a step back to reflect and reconnect. More information is available at the Campus Ministry Web site.

Study Abroad information available

Marquette will host the spring semester campus-wide study abroad fair Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Alumni Memorial Union. The fair is an excellent opportunity for students to see what programs Marquette offers, including summer programs, and to speak with program representatives and the staff of the Office of International Education.

Read more about study abroad opportunities at Marquette, as well as advising and information sessions, online.

Save money when filing your federal income tax return

Did you know there are federal tax credits available to students when you file your income tax return? Students and parents can take advantage of thousands of dollars in such credits when filing because of their student status. When completing a 2008 return, consider if you are eligible for the following:

Especially for students attending colleges and universities in Milwaukee County:

Students attending colleges and universities in Milwaukee and certain other Wisconsin counties can take advantage of increased Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits that are double those of last year. In addition, the definition of qualified educational expenses has been expanded:

• The Hope credit for students in Milwaukee County is 100 percent of the first $2,400 of qualified educational expenses and 50 percent of the next $2,400 of such expenses for a maximum credit of $3,600. This expanded credit is due to a disaster area declaration announced following severe flooding in June.

• Students can also take advantage of an increased Lifetime Learning credit of 40 percent of qualified expenses paid, with a maximum credit of $4,000.

Business deduction for work-related education:

If you drive your car to and from school and qualify to deduct transportation expenses, the amount you can deduct for miles driven has changed for 2008. You can deduct 50 1/2 cents per mile for miles driven from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008. For miles driven from July 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008, you can deduct 58 1/2 cents per mile. This is up from 48 1/2 cents per mile in 2007.

New amounts for the Hope, Lifetime Learning and education savings bond programs: Credit is gradually reduced for these if your modified gross adjusted income matches new thresholds.

How do you know if you qualify for these credits on your taxes? What are qualified education expenses? And where can you learn more? Download the Internal Revenue Service guide to educational tax benefits online.

Flu Shots still available

If your son or daughter still hasn’t received the flu shot, have him/her call Student Health Service at (414) 288-5217 to schedule an appointment. Cost is $30. Available while supplies last.

Student forum with university leadership

Does your son or daughter have a question they want answered about Marquette? Encourage him or her to attend the Marquette University Student Government (MUSG) student forum, Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. in AMU. During this forum, held each semester, students have the opportunity to ask questions of Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., Provost John Pauly and Senior Vice President Greg Kliebhan.

Marquette Admissions update

Do you know a high school senior who applied to Marquette? Admission decisions to more than 17,000 undergraduate freshman applicants began rolling out Jan. 7 and will continue to be mailed over the next few weeks. This is an increase in applications of more than 15 percent from last year. Applications are still being accepted, although a wait list currently exists in all colleges. Late applicants will be considered on a space availability basis. For more information, visit Marquette Admissions online.

Career Services Center offers tips to stay strong in a weak economy

It’s no secret that these are harder times to find a job, but helpful tips and resources for job hunting are available at the Career Services Center Web site. For example, experts say the first key to success in finding a job in a weak economy is to stand out. That is, to market yourself well, perfect your job search materials and think critically about what skills and experience make you unique. Being flexible is also important, especially for those just starting their careers. Doing some informational interviewing allows students to think outside the box and learn more about what types of careers they can pursue with their major.

Mastering networking is extremely important to developing connections that may lead to jobs. The Career Services Center has some great tools to assist students in meeting people working in various career fields, including the online MU Connect Alumni Network. Although it is your student that needs to make the connection, you can help by encouraging him/her to contact family friends or family members who may be able to sit down for an informational interview or provide them with information regarding a certain company or job. Also, encourage your student to check out professional networking Web sites such as LinkedIn. It is one of the latest trends for professional networking and is a great way to get connected to people you may have otherwise never met.

Lastly, creating a plan for the future will help any student prepare for what is ahead. This can include anything from setting weekly goals for the job search to planning out where you want to live and how you are going to get there.

Marquette Parents: Watch men's basketball take on DePaul

The Marquette University Parents Association invites you to attend the annual Basketball Game and Lunch this Saturday, Jan. 24, which also marks National Marquette Day.

First join Women’s Head Basketball Coach Terri Mitchell and the women’s basketball team for a luncheon, then stick around for National Marquette Day at the Bradley Center, when the Marquette men’s team will take on DePaul. Alumni, parents and friends will gather around the country to support the Golden Eagles. You won’t want to miss this exciting event!

Details and registration are available online, or call Alumni Relations at (414) 288-7441.

For men’s basketball tickets only, please call the box office at (414) 288-7127.

If you can’t be in Milwaukee for the big event, join other Marquette fans and friends to watch the Golden Eagles in your area. The 1 p.m. game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Information about additional receptions and game watching parties in other areas of the country for Marquette men’s and women’s basketball games is available online.

Haggerty Museum to host annual Student Fine Arts Night

The annual Student Fine Arts Night will be held Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Haggerty Museum of Art, featuring an exhibition of art work in all media by Marquette University students. Free food and refreshments and live reggae music by Kilimanjaro are also planned.

Any Marquette student can submit up to two works in any medium for the exhibition; all work will be accepted and shown. Work must be brought to Lynne Shumow at the Haggerty Museum no later than Wednesday, Feb. 11. For more information, contact Shumow at 414-288-5915 or lynne.shumow@marquette.edu.

Dr. Amelia Zurcher, associate professor of English

Dr. Amelia Zurcher, associate professor of English in the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, recently received the university’s highest teaching honor, the Rev. John P. Raynor, S.J., Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

With her work in the areas of early modern British literature and culture, genre, gender and feminist theory, Zurcher aspires to foster real conversations, both among students and between her students and the materials they read. Real conversation requires active listening, intellectual curiosity and a belief in the dignity of every person, according to Zurcher.

“What I enjoy about teaching is that it creates substantive, focused and sustained conversations with smart, engaged students,” said Zurcher. “I absolutely love it when something in class stimulates a student to have a new idea and he or she realizes how powerful that idea can be.”

Zurcher received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University, her master’s degree from Oxford University and her Ph.D. in English language and literature from Princeton University.

Special ticket deal for Marquette parents

The Marquette men’s basketball team is off to a hot start to 2009, winning its first five BIG EAST Conference games and improving to a 16-2 overall record.

Parents and family members of Marquette students can take advantage of a special discounted ticket offer to the team’s game against Connecticut on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. Parents and family members can purchase tickets online for $5 off the regular price. When prompted to enter a special offer code, type “marquette” and then enter your email address under “Create an Account.”

Additionally, all fans in attendance at the Feb. 14 game vs. St. John’s will receive a mini statue of legendary head coach Al McGuire. Tickets are currently available at the Marquette Athletics Web site.