1. Harvard professor of Jewish Studies to present Sunday’s Père Marquette Lecture

The 2010 Père Marquette Lecture will be presented by Dr. Jon Levenson on Sunday, March 27, at 2 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. Levenson, the Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies at Harvard University, will present “Abraham Between Torah and Gospel.” Levenson will highlight differences rather than similarities in the relations of Judaism and Christianity to the figure of Abraham, with additional differences that appear in Islam. Levenson’s work concentrates on the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, including its reinterpretations in the “rewritten Bible” of Second Temple Judaism. A reception will follow.

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2. ESPN analyst to speak about journalism and entertainment

Chris Broussard, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com senior writer, will present “The Decision: Journalism, Gossip or Entertainment” for the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication Axthelm Lecture. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, in the Helfaer Theatre.

Broussard appears regularly on ESPN, serving as an NBA analyst on shows such as SportsCenter, Outside the Lines, ESPN’s First Take, NBA Fastbreak, NBA Coast to Coast, ESPN News and Mike and Mike in the Morning. Last summer, he was among the nation’s most visible journalists consistently breaking news and offering perspective during the NBA’s free agency period that saw the league’s most valuable player, LeBron James, leave Cleveland for Miami.

The Pete and Bonnie Axthelm Memorial Program was established to acknowledge and recognize the life of Pete Axthelm, a former writer at the New York Herald Tribune, Sports Illustrated and Newsweek, and his sister, Bonnie, a former Media Networks and 3M executive.

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3. Faculty promoted for fall 2011 semester

The university has promoted 22 faculty members to professor or associate professor with tenure effective for the fall 2011 semester. Promoted to professor are Dr. Thomas Bradley, dental developmental sciences; Dr. Sarah Knox, counselor education and counseling psychology; Dr. Christine Krueger, English; Chad Oldfather, law; Dr. Brian Schmit, biomedical engineering; and Dr. Chae Yi, chemistry.
 
Promoted to associate professor with tenure are Dr. Kathleen Clark, educational policy and leadership; Dr. Lisa Edwards, counselor education and counseling psychology; Dr. Sarah Feldner, interpersonal, organizational and public communication; Dr. Kristen Foster, history; Dr. Sarah Gendron, foreign languages and literatures; Dr. Alyson Gerdes, psychology; Dr. Todd Hernandez, foreign languages and literatures; Dr. Astrida Kaugars, psychology; Dr. Chima Korieh, history; Dr. Andrew Kunz, physics; Dr. Felissa Lee, management; Dr. Praveen Madiraju, mathematics, statistics and computer science; Dr. Jodi Melamed, English; Dr. Rebecca Nowacek, English; Dr. Terence Ow, management; and Dr. Rebecca Sanders, mathematics, statistics and computer science.

Five full-time participating faculty members were also promoted. Promoted to clinical associate professor in dentistry are Dr. LynnAnn Bryan, Dr. James Glore and Dr. Sheila Stover. Promoted to clinical associate professor in nursing is Dr. Kerry Kosmoski-Goepfert. Leslee Ruscitti was promoted to adjunct associate professor in professional studies.

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4. University to extend benefits to registered domestic partners

Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., has directed the Department of Human Resources to include coverage for “registered domestic partners” in the university’s health insurance plans, beginning with the start of the new coverage year — Jan. 1, 2012.

Father Wild said it was an issue he had wrestled with the past few years. “If we are truly pastoral in our application of the Jesuit principle of cura personalis, I asked myself if I could reconcile that with denying health benefits to a couple who have legally registered their commitment to each other,” he said. He noted that the State of Wisconsin gives legal recognition both to marriage for heterosexual couples and to a registered domestic partnership for same-sex couples.

Cas Castro, director of human resources, said, while there are details that will need to be worked out, medical, dental and vision benefits currently offered to married couples and their dependents will be extended to registered domestic partners. In order to be eligible for the registry, an individual must be: 18 years old; not in a marriage or a currently registered domestic partnership recognized by the State of Wisconsin; share at least one “common residence” with the intended domestic partner; not be nearer in kin than second cousins to the intended domestic partner; and be a “member of the same sex” of the intended domestic partner. The declaration of domestic partnership may be initiated by an application filed with the clerk of the county in which an individual resides.

Castro said the new provisions will be explained in detail in the benefit information employees receive each October.

Father Wild said both student and employee groups have called for the extension of benefits, most recently in a motion passed Feb. 21 by the University Academic Senate and a recommendation approved by the Marquette University Student Government March 3. He said he had discussed his decision with trustees, including Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., Marquette’s incoming president.

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5. Gingrich event moved to Varsity Theatre

The presentation by Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and his wife Callista, has moved from the Weasler Auditorium to the Varsity Theatre. All previously issued tickets are valid for the new location. Tickets are required and can be picked up in the AMU Brooks Lounge. Limit two tickets per Marquette ID.

The Gingriches will visit Marquette on Tuesday, March 29, to present Nine Days that Changed the World, a documentary they produced about Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Poland in 1979. The 7 p.m. screening of the film in the Tony and Lucille Weasler Auditorium will include a presentation by the Gingriches, followed by a book and DVD signing.

For more information or special needs, contact University Special Events at 8-7431.

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6. Faculty research interests to be discussed with community partners

The Service Learning Program will host its annual Community Partner and Faculty Roundtable Luncheon Friday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in AMU Ballroom A. Faculty and community partners will discuss how they can work together to share resources and knowledge to empower communities, enhance student learning and develop meaningful research agendas focused on real community needs.

RSVP by Monday, March 28.

Guests will be grouped with individuals who share similar interests. Faculty will be asked to share their teaching and research interests, and community partners will be asked to share information about their programs, mission and agency needs. The goal is to “match-make” and bring together the expertise of the right people to advance the quality of service learning projects, community-based scholarship and community development efforts.

The event is made possible by the Institute for Urban Life, and is co-sponsored by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Center for Peacemaking, Manresa for Faculty in the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee.

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7. Dining Services offering 10 percent off purchases tomorrow

In honor of the men’s and women’s success in the NCAA basketball tournaments, Dining Services is offering 10 percent off purchases in Marquette Place and the Brew Cafes tomorrow, March 25, to anyone wearing blue and gold spirit wear.

The Spirit Shop also has a supply of NCAA Sweet 16 merchandise, which is available with the employee 20-percent discount.

The men's basketball team will play the University of North Carolina at 6:15 p.m. tomorrow, March 25, at the Prudential Center in Newark, in the Sweet Sixteen. The Union Sports Annex will hold a viewing party with fan giveaways and food specials. The Annex website will be updated with viewing party and game information if the team progresses through the tournament.

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8. Gold ‘n Blues concert to benefit disaster relief in Pakistan

The Gold ‘n Blues will present their second annual Harmony for Hope concert Sunday, March 27, at 2:30 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre. The a cappella group will be joined by four other a cappella groups from the Midwest, including the Naturals from Marquette. The groups will be joined by the Spanish O’Donnell’s, who will moderate the event.

The Gold ‘n Blues will partner with RU4PKMU for proceeds to benefit post-flood disaster relief in Pakistan. Last year, the effort raised more than $3,200 for Haiti and Chile.

Tickets cost $5 and are available in the AMU Brooks Lounge and at the door. Doors open at 2 p.m. E-mail for more information.

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9. Photographers to discuss their work

The Haggerty Museum of Art will host a lecture by photographers LaToya Ruby Frazier and Jesse Burke on Wednesday, March 30, at 6 p.m. in the Eckstein Hall Appellate Courtroom. The lecture is part of the The Truth is Not in the Mirror: Photography and a Constructed Identity exhibition, which explores the nature of portraits and portraiture in contemporary photography. A reception will follow the lecture at the museum.

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10. “The Science of Performance Nutrition” to be presented

The College of Health Sciences Alumni Association will host “The Science of Performance Nutrition” Thursday, March 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Cramer 004E. Dr. Steven Hertzler, senior research scientist of performance nutrition at Abbott Laboratories, will discuss the importance of performance nutrition, scientific background of current technologies and the Performance Nutrition Academy as a resource.

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11. Mary Peabody Mann is topic of presentation

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will sponsor “From Slaves in Cuba to Yankee Schoolmarms in Argentina: Mary Mann and Nineteenth Century Latin America” on Friday, April 1, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Lalumiere 192.

Dr. Julia Paulk, assistant professor of Spanish, and Dr. Barry Velleman, professor of Spanish, will speak about Mary Peabody Mann, wife of North American educator Horace Mann, and her efforts relating to Latin American culture.

Paulk will discuss Mann’s posthumously published antislavery novel, Juanita: A Romance of Real Life in Cuba Fifty Years Ago (1887), which is based on Mann’s year-long stay in Cuba in the 1830s.

Velleman will speak about Mann’s publicity campaign on behalf of the Argentine statesman, writer and educator D.F. Sarmiento (1811-1888), and her assistance in recruiting North American teachers to travel to Argentina to establish school systems like those in the United States. Excerpts from the film 1420: La aventura de educar will be shown with English subtitles.

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12. Math and engineering colloquiums to be held

The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science will hold a colloquium tomorrow, March 25, at 4 p.m. in Cudahy 401. Dr. Ozgur Martin, visiting assistant professor of mathematics at Miami University, will present “Disjoint Hypercyclic Linear Fractional Composition Operators.”

Dr. George Corliss professor of electrical and computer engineering, will present a Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering colloquium at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in Olin Engineering 120. Corliss will present “Wanted: Nails to be Hit with Numerical ODE Hammers.”

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13. Retirement planning programs offered

The Department of Human Resources is offering retirement planning programs, “Retirewise,” which focus on retirement savings, how to calculate inflation, tax-saving tips and selecting distribution schedules from 403(b) or 401(k) plans. The series is presented by Paul Tourville, financial planner at Next Level Planning & Wealth Management, and Mike Russo, financial services representative at MetLife.

The “Sophomore Series,” an intermediate to advanced course for employees who have an average to advanced understanding of the financial aspects of retirement planning, will be held Tuesday, March 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in AMU 157; and Wednesday, March 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in AMU 163.

Registration is required.

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14. Free group fitness classes offered tomorrow

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering free group fitness classes tomorrow, March 25.

The classes are free to members. The cost is $2 for faculty and staff who are non-members to enter the facility and participate in the classes:

• Zumba at 1 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Total Body Burn and Flexibility at 3 p.m. at the Rec Plex

Call 8-6979 for more information.

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15. Wellness program to address stress

The Employee Wellness Program will hold a “Stress or Success Program” Tuesday, April 5, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites. Tracey Weigel, communication studies instructor, will address the causes and symptoms of stress, the art of resiliency and changing mindsets and attitudes. Space is limited. Call Martha Jermé, health sciences librarian, at 8-3320 to register.

Participants will receive a punch on their Wellness Rewards punch card. Every time employees attend a qualifying employee wellness program, they’re eligible to receive a punch on a Wellness Rewards Card. Employees who complete a punch card with 10 punches earn a Wellness Reward Package and entry into an annual grand prize drawing, from participating partners. Wellness Rewards Punch Cards are available at all qualifying employee wellness programs.

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16. Public Safety offering self-defense classes

The Department of Public Safety will hold a free self-defense class at 5 p.m. Monday, March 28, and Tuesday, April 12, in AMU 163.

The class incorporates national and local crime trends, a hands-on approach and effective techniques with simple strategies for escaping potentially dangerous situations for both males and females. Participants are encouraged to wear athletic attire. Register is required by calling DPS at 8-6800.

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17. $7 massages available at Massage-A-Thon

Physical therapy students are holding their Massage-A-Thon through Friday, April 8, at Schroeder Health Complex 397. Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays noon to 8 p.m. and Fridays noon to 6 p.m.

Cost is $7 for every 15 minutes, up to 60 minutes. Appointments can be scheduled by e-mail. Walk-ins are welcome. Gift certificates are also available.

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18. Rec Center pool and other areas have reopened following water leak

The Rec Center pool, and the toilets, showers and drinking fountains in those areas are again operational, following the water leak that interrupted service earlier this week.

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