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< April 2002
June 2002 >


Rambachan invited to Vatican to plan improved interreligious dialogue
MAY 31, 2002 — A St. Olaf College professor of religion is among only 10 people worldwide who have been summoned to the Vatican in June to discuss how the world's religions can promote peace instead of violence. This is Anant Rambachan's second such trip, and he says interreligious dialogue is "risky" but essential for our times.

First-year student chosen for TRIO internship in D.C.
MAY 30, 2002 — Angelica Torralba of Richfield, Minn., a first-year student at St. Olaf College, was chosen as 2002 intern for the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) in Washington, D.C. She is only the second Minnesotan to be named for the prestigious scholarship. Torralba will work in the governmental relations division of the national office during June and July. A St. Olaf TRIO student since the ninth grade, when she began her college exploration as a St. Olaf Educational Talent Search participant, Torralba beat out 70 applicants for the summer position. "I was impressed with her experiences growing up," said Debra Henderson, director of public policy for COE. "She did a good job addressing how two TRIO programs -- Talent Search and Student Support Services -- influenced her life." TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.

'Off-the-wall' advice amuses, appeases St. Olaf students
MAY 30, 2002
Don Bezanson
Bezanson
For 11 years, St. Olaf College librarian Don Bezanson has been "channeling" the wisdom of "Jean Q. Jacques," a 200-year-old French trader with roots in the Bezanson family. Students turn to the bulletin board Bezanson reverently -- and irreverently -- maintains outside the library for advice on the ups and downs of college life.


St. Olaf music legend and community volunteer Frederick Schmidt dies at age 92
MAY 30, 2002 — A legacy ended May 29 with the death of Northfield native Frederick Schmidt, former manager of music organizations at St. Olaf College -- a position he inherited from his father, P.G. Schmidt. Together, father and son served the college for 70-some years, helping to build the performance ensembles into the powerhouses they are today.

Physics professor to address 'Spirituality in Higher Ed'
MAY 29, 2002 — Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics at Amherst College, will lecture on "Spirituality in Higher Education: Cognitive Foundations and Practical Implications" on Wednesday, May 29, 4:30 p.m., in the Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons. Zajonc has an international reputation as an expert on quantum optics but is also a well-known commentator and social thinker concerned about the interaction of mind and consciousness with the physical world. He is an authority on the history of science and on Goethe, the great German thinker, poet and literary figure. An author of numerous works, Zajonc also is the former program director of the Fetzer Institute, which tries to combine science, consciousness and spirituality.

Classics professor, author, renaissance man Jim May named provost and dean at St. Olaf
MAY 29, 2002
Jim May
May
Teamwork learned while rowing a Greek trireme will serve Jim May well in his new role at St. Olaf College, where he will oversee the academic programs as provost and dean of the college. A longtime professor of classics at St. Olaf, May was appointed to his position effective June 1.


'Spirituality in Higher Ed' to be subject of professor's address
MAY 29, 2002 — Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics at Amherst College, will lecture on "Spirituality in Higher Education: Cognitive Foundations and Practical Implications" on Wednesday, May 29, 4:30 p.m., in the Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons. Zajonc has an international reputation as an expert on quantum optics but is also a well-known commentator and social thinker concerned about the interaction of mind and consciousness with the physical world. He is an authority on the history of science and on Goethe, the great German thinker, poet and literary figure. An author of numerous works, Zajonc also is the former program director of the Fetzer Institute, which tries to combine science, consciousness and spirituality.

Berkman promotes women who made a difference Sept. 11
MAY 27, 2002
Brenda Berkman
Berkman
New York City fire captain and St. Olaf distinguished alumna Brenda Berkman '73 told the graduating class of 2002 to "take risks, help your neighbor and be brave." Before commencement May 26, she told a crowd of parents and alums that women are heroes and patriots -- and they're on the front lines of the war against terrorism, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.


English Professor David Wee shares his love of the game with baseball fans
MAY 26, 2002
David Wee
Wee
"Who do I care so much about baseball?" David Wee pondered that question aloud during a learning seminar recently at St. Olaf College on baseball and American values, a mini-version of the class he has taught for 25 years. Sharing the stage with Wee was 10-year-old Madeline Barnicle, a pretty avid fan herself. Read about it in the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune.


Firefighter Berkman to give talks, show film on Ground Zero
MAY 25, 2002
Brenda Berkman
Berkman
St. Olaf alumna and New York City firefighter Brenda Berkman will give two public talks at St. Olaf and show the film The Women of Ground Zero. She will appear at the Viking Theater in Buntrock Commons on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m. and Sunday, May 26, at 12 noon.


Premier ensembles to perform during commencement weekend
MAY 24, 2002 — The St. Olaf Band, the St. Olaf Orchestra and the world-renowned St. Olaf Choir will give performances during Celebration Weekend on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 in Skoglund Center Auditorium. All concerts are free and open to the public. The band concert (Friday, May 24, 8 p.m.) will include a piece by conductor Timothy Mahr. The orchestra concert (Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m.) will feature the premiere performance of conductor Steven Amundson's "Three's Company," composed for three bassoons, strings and percussion. And the St. Olaf Choir concert (Saturday, May 25, 8 p.m.) will feature the 75 voices of this well-known ensemble under the direction of St. Olaf alumnus and Tosdal Professor of Music, Voice and Conducting Anton Armstrong. In addition, 89.3 WCAL -- the radio service of St. Olaf College -- will broadcast the concerts at the following times: band, Saturday, May 25, 5 p.m.; orchestra, Saturday, May 25, 7 p.m.; and choir, Sunday, May 26, 7 p.m.

Daily chapel at St. Olaf College stands the test of time
MAY 22, 2002 — Unlike most competitive liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf has not cut its ties to the church that founded. Daily chapel is a less-attended but much-loved tradition on campus, where students, faculty and staff still gather every day for prayers, reflection and meditation, says a story in the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. warns of action against 'animal factories'
MAY 22, 2002 — Factory farming has come to Minnesota, and it's hurting our rural economy and our environment. That's the message Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., delivered recently at St. Olaf College. An attorney and founder of Waterkeeper Alliance, Kennedy says industrial "farms" with 1,000 or more animals are a growing danger.

Eight faculty members at St. Olaf are awarded tenure, promotions by board of regents
MAY 22, 2002 — Two St. Olaf assistant professors have been granted tenure, and six others -- from economics, education, history, nursing, philosophy and physics -- have been promoted to full professor, according to outgoing Provost and Dean of the College James Pence.

Philosophy professor waxes eloquent about boxer Mike Tyson
MAY 22, 2002 — He's misunderstood. He's badgered by the media. He's among the most talented boxers ever to appear in the ring. He's Mike Tyson, and he is more human and humane than he appears to be, writes Professor of Philosophy Gordon Marino in the New York Times.

Walters wins statewide award for chemistry teaching, to be presented May 21
MAY 21, 2002
John Walters
Walters
On Tuesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m., St. Olaf College Professor of Chemistry John P. Walters will receive the 2002 Robert Brasted Award, presented every three years by the Minnesota American Chemical Society to an educator, nominated by his or her peers, for contributions to teaching chemistry at the college level. The award will be presented at a meeting of the Minnesota ACS section held in Science Center 280. Walters will deliver an address on role-playing in chemistry classes and labs. The public is encouraged to attend.


Hilleboe Award to be presented to Pence, Quade
MAY 21, 2002
Jim PencePat Quade
PenceQuade
Jim Pence, the outgoing provost and dean of St. Olaf College, and Pat Quade, professor of theatre and director of international and off-campus studies, will receive this year's Gertrude Hilleboe Awards for Faculty Involvement in Student Life during the Division of Student Life's end-of-the-year program on May 30. The award is named after a longtime member of the faculty and dean of women. Pence, who soon will move to Tacoma, Wash., to become provost at Pacific Lutheran University, "articulates a student-centered approach for our work and for the work of the faculty...," wrote the person who nominated him. Of Quade, his nominator noted, "Our off-campus studies program ... is a signature program of the college and contributes to some of the most significant learning our students become engaged in... [H]e does this with a very talented and committed staff, who if they were faculty, would share this nomination."


AsiaNetwork-Freeman grants underwrite research in China by two seniors, faculty adviser
MAY 21, 2002 — Xun Pomponio, an associate professor of economics, will travel to China this summer with junior Julie Stiehl, Eugene, Ore., and Matthew Wright, a senior from Newberg, Ore., to conduct a joint research project -- thanks to a $16,500 faculty-student research grant from the AsiaNetwork-Freeman Foundation. Stiehl, an economics and Asian studies major, will examine how the Chinese government is dealing with the bad debt created by lending money to state-owned enterprises. Wright, a history major, will investigate the transition of state-owned enterprises in China from government control to private ownership. Pomponio is an authority on international economics and regularly teaches an Interim abroad class on economic progress in China; she has been a member of the faculty since 1991.

St. Olaf junior wins ACM's 2002 Nick Adams Short Story Contest
MAY 20, 2002 — Benjamin Jacobson, a junior at St. Olaf College, has won the 30th annual Nick Adams Short Story Contest sponsored by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM). Jacobson's story, "Faculty Brat," was selected from more than 40 stories submitted by students from ACM colleges. He will receive a prize of $1,000. "Faculty Brat" was written in an independent creative writing course taught by Associate Professor of English Jim Heynen, to whom Jacobson, an English major from Lake Crystal, Minn., expressed his thanks. Stephen Raleigh Byler, author of Searching for Intruders: A Novel in Stories, served this year as the final judge for the contest, which derives its name from The Nick Adams Stories written by Ernest Hemingway. Judges in past years have included Jane Smiley, Saul Bellow, Joyce Carol Oates, John Updike, Anne Tyler, Maya Angelou, Barbara Kingsolver, Jane Hamilton and Charles Baxter.

Norwegian breakfast to celebrate Constitution Day
MAY 17, 2002 — Celebrate Syttende Mai on Friday, May 17, with a traditional Norwegian breakfast hosted by the St. Olaf College Norwegian Department and the Norwegian Honor House. The breakfast will feature a variety of Norwegian breads and cheeses, meats and fish, waffles, pastries and fruit. Entertainment will be provided by a choir of Norwegian students singing the national anthem and other traditional songs and by the Lars Skjervheim Spelemannslag, a Hardanger fiddle group led by Associate Professor of Music Andrea Een, recent winner of the St. Olav's Medal. The breakfast will be from 7 to 9 a.m. in the Kings' Room, third floor of Buntrock Commons. Cost is $9.50 per person. Reserve tickets by calling (507) 646-3230 or buy them at the door.

Commencement weekend May 24-26 to feature concerts, learning seminars and more
MAY 16, 2002 — Some 700 students will celebrate their graduation from St. Olaf College during Celebration Weekend, May 24-26, but alumni and the public will have plenty to celebrate, too. Lectures, seminars, tours of campus and concerts are among the events to commemorate 2002 commencement.

'Superachiever' Nick Wallace feels prepared for real world
MAY 16, 2002
Nick Wallace
Wallace
"When they were babies," writes Star Tribune (Minneapolis) reporter Mary Jane Smetanka, "Ronald Reagan was a new president. Something called the compact disc had just burst onto the music scene. Post-It notes were new, and everyone wanted to know who shot J.R." They are the college graduating class of 2002, a group of students whose senior year began with the horror of Sept. 11 -- and they are well represented by Nick Wallace, a budding attorney and the outgoing student body president at St. Olaf College.


One-act festival to showcase student actors, directors
MAY 15, 2002 — St. Olaf College's annual one-act festival -- the culmination of months of student preparation -- will be presented Sunday through Wednesday, May 12-15, in Haugen Theater in the Speech-Theater Building. Shows are at 7 p.m. each evening with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Each performance features three to four one-act plays directed by students in the advanced stage-directing class taught by Artistic Director Gary Gisselman, who has directed plays at the Guthrie Theater, Children's Theater Company and elsewhere. The performances are free and open to the public.

Innovative role-playing labs earn Professor John Walters the 2002 Brasted Award
MAY 15, 2002
John Walters
Walters
Chemistry Professor John Walters has earned at least five major awards for his teaching -- and his students could explain why. It's because Walters allows them to have fun, to make their own mistakes and to role-play some "real-world" ways of working. The learning of analytical chemistry is almost a side benefit.


Music about baseball, poetry, college kids highlight faculty composers' recital
MAY 15, 2002 — The compositions of music faculty at St. Olaf College will be on colorful display in a recital Wednesday, May 15, at 8:15 p.m. in Studio A, which is in the WCAL building on campus. Featured works include compositions by Peter Hamlin, Christopher Gable and Tom Schnauber. The concert is free and open to the public.

St. Olaf alum wins prestigious musical composition award
MAY 14, 2002
Mark Kilstofte
Kilstofte
Mark Kilstofte, artistic director of the Heritage Chamber Society and associate professor of composition and theory at Furman University, was recently awarded the Frederick A. Julliard and Walter Damrosch Rome Prize for Fellowship in Musical Composition. The award was granted by the American Academy in Rome. Kilstofte graduated from St. Olaf College in 1981 with a degree in music composition. The award provides fellowships ranging from six months to two years for American artists and scholars to live and work at the Academy's 18-building, 11-acre site atop Rome's highest hill, the Janiculum. Earlier this year, the Dale Warland Singers announced that Kilstofte was one of the four finalists of its 2002 Choral Ventures program. The group performed his composition "Being" in May.


St. Olaf honors retirees from faculty, staff at president's reception
MAY 14, 2002 — On Thursday, May 9, the St. Olaf community honored members of the faculty and staff who have retired or will retire during the 2001-02 academic year. The president's annual reception, which took place in the Black and Gold Ballroom of Buntrock Commons, celebrated the many contributions to St. Olaf of 13 colleagues: Gary Anderson, director of the Office of Servant Leadership, a member of the St. Olaf staff since 1988; Pat Day, academic administrative assistant, Department of Nursing, since 1989; Margaret Eaves-Smith, associate professor of music, since 1979; Olivia Frey, associate professor of English, since 1982; Arlene Gustafson, student loan coordinator, Office of Financial Aid, since 1992; Judy Holt, circulation associate, St. Olaf Library, since 1979; Carolyn Jennings, professor of music, 1960-63 and since 1966; Bruce Law, public safety officer, since 1986; Richard Olson, associate professor of history, since 1967; Judy Rahmann, custodian, since 1978; Pat Scully, associate director of human resources, since 1975; Jan Shoger, associate professor of art and art history, since 1980; and Carolyn Weidner, administrative assistant, Center for Experiential Learning, 1967-69 and since 1980.

St. Olaf graduate part of nanotechnology revolution
MAY 13, 2002 — Scientist and business owner Willie Hendrickson, a 1974 graduate of St. Olaf College, is among the entrepreneurs aiming to put Rushford, Minn., on the map as southeastern Minnesota's "Nanotechnology Valley." Star Tribune business columnist Neal St. Anthony calls the project part of the next Industrial Revolution.

World War II-era service program revived at St. Olaf
MAY 13, 2002 — Between 1947 and 1968, 19 graduates of St. Olaf College (supported in part by their graduating classes) served the Martin Luther Schule in Rimbach, Germany, teaching English and literature for one year. This post-World War II international service was the brainchild of Howard Hong '34 while he was on leave from the St. Olaf faculty and working with the Lutheran World Federation service for refugees. Last year, James V. Anderson '51 initiated a Rimbach-Ole reunion during Celebration 2001, bringing these Oles together for the first time. Thanks to the efforts of Anderson and of Hans-Juergen Schmidt, current director of the Martin Luther Schule, the Rimbach-Ole program has been revived. Schmidt secured enough funding from the German government to support a graduating St. Olaf senior for one year. That senior is Eriin Birch '02, a political science major who will begin teaching at the school in August. Anderson and Virginia Larsen '59, who taught at the Schule from 1959-60, will meet Erin on campus in mid-May.

St. Olaf Orchestra and Senior Soloists to present Mother's Day concert
MAY 12, 2002 — The annual St. Olaf Orchestra and Senior Soloists Concert will be held on Mother's Day -- Sunday, May 12 -- at Skoglund Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature St. Olaf College senior musicians who auditioned for the opportunity to perform with the St. Olaf Orchestra. Featured works will include Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Darius Milhaud's Concerto for Marimba and Vibraphone.

Renowned musicians from Norway to perform May 8
MAY 8, 2002
Lars Anders TomterHåvard Gimse
TomterGimse
Violist Lars Anders Tomter and pianist Havard Gimse, two of Norway's most high-profile international musicians, will perform at St. Olaf College on Wednesday, May 8, 8:15 p.m., in Urness Recital Hall, Christiansen Hall of Music. Tomter studied at the Oslo Music Conservatory and the Norwegian State Academy, where he currently is a professor. Gimse is assistant program manager of the Oslo Chamber Music Festival. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will feature works by Schumann, Britten and Grieg. Call (507) 646-3179.


Popular Broadway Revue to bring New York to Northfield
MAY 8, 2002 — Twenty-five St. Olaf College students will revive the best of Broadway musicals Wednesday, May 8, when they put on two performances of the annual Broadway Revue, at 7 and 8:30 p.m. The performance, to be held in Studio One of the Dittmann Center for arts and dance, will include solos, duets and ensemble pieces from Guys and Dolls, Company, The Scarlet Pimpernel and other beloved Broadway shows. The event is free and open to the public. Call (507) 646-3184.

Hardanger fiddle aficionado Andrea Een to be awarded prestigious St. Olav's Medal
MAY 8, 2002 — Andrea Een, an associate professor of music at St. Olaf College, has been awarded the St. Olav's Medal, an honor instituted by H.M. King Haakon VII on March 17, 1939, in recognition of those who promote knowledge about Norway abroad and close ties between emigrated Norwegians and the mother country. Een, who has a special research interest in the Norwegian folk Hardangar fiddle, will receive the medal Wednesday, May 8, at 4 p.m. in Urness Recital Hall in the Christiansen Hall of Music. Norwegian Consul General Thor Johansen and his wife, Kerstin Starmark, will preside at the ceremony. The public is invited.

Oles finish 2002 Fastpitch Season
MAY 8, 2002 — The St. Olaf College fastpitch team ended their season on Saturday, May 4, 2002 at Mabel Shirley field against Hamline University. The Oles finished 5-19 in the MIAC and 10-28 overall.

Peace Corps deputy director Olsen to visit St. Olaf
MAY 7, 2002 — New Peace Corps Deputy Director Jody Olsen will speak on "The Importance of Service" at Boe Memorial Chapel at St. Olaf College at 11:10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7. Olsen, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia, is visiting the region to speak at events for past and future Peace Corps volunteers. A brown-bag luncheon for community members interested in the Peace Corps is scheduled for noon in the Sun Room of Buntrock Commons. St. Olaf ranks third nationally for the number of graduates (22) serving in the Peace Corps. In addition, 35 St. Olaf students are currently in the application process. Both events are free and open to the public.

89.3 WCAL celebrates an important 80th anniversary
MAY 7, 2002 — 89.3 WCAL, the radio service of St. Olaf College and the oldest public radio station in America, began humbly more than 80 years ago in the basement of the St. Olaf Chapel. Many decades and some hard times later, the station is alive and thriving.

Postlethwaite reviews The Fall of Light for the New York Times
MAY 7, 2002 — Niall Williams' The Fall of Light is "an unabashed, grandly romantic (and romanticized) saga," writes St. Olaf College Professor of English Diana Postlethwaite in a review in the New York Times. She savors the author's "lush and lilting prose" and says the work may best be enjoyed as a book on tape.

St. Olaf Women's tennis team finishes seventh in the MIAC tournament
MAY 6, 2002 — The St. Olaf Women's tennis team competed Friday and Saturday May 3rd and 4th in the MIAC tournament held in St. Paul at Gustavus Adolphus. The women put is a strong performance during the dual season finishing 3-8 in the MIAC.

Mens tennis finishes third in MIAC conference tourney
MAY 6, 2002 — The St. Olaf men's tennis team had a solid season ending conference tournament on May 3rd and 4th. The Oles finished in third place with support from their strong 7-2 dual match record during the regular season.

Oles drop last two games to Hamline
MAY 6, 2002 — The St. Olaf College fastpitch team ended their season with two losses. The Pipers of Hamline University beat the Oles 3-2 and 11-6. The Oles ended their season 5-19 in the MIAC and 10-28 overall.

Womens track finished season strong
MAY 6, 2002 — The St. Olaf women's track and field team concluded their season as a whole team with a successful finish at the Tommie Twilight, hosted by St. Thomas on Wednesday, May 1st. Throughout every event multiple personal records and bests were achieved.

Peterson competes in Heptathlon
MAY 6, 2002 — St. Olaf's Becky Peterson competed on May 3rd-4th at the MIAC Heptathlon Championship where she finished 4th overall, after leading the meet after the first day of competition. Peterson also provisionally qualified for the national heptathlon meet with her final score of 4250 points.

American Physical Society honors St. Olaf Professor Jim Cederberg with national award
MAY 5, 2002 — Physics Professor Jim Cederberg in April was honored with his second national prize from the American Physical Society. This one recognizes outstanding achievement in physics research at an undergraduate institution. Cederberg, whom students widely describe as an affable guy, says the award really belongs to them.

CRASH to perform at Dittmann Center celebration Saturday
MAY 4, 2002 — Composer Mary Ellen Childs, sculptor Norman Andersen and CRASH -- the vibrant ensemble that performs the visual percussion works of Childs -- will collaborate on two performances at St. Olaf College this Saturday, May 4. At 12:15 and 1:45 p.m., the group will perform on the third floor of the new Dittmann Center, overlooking the student gallery. The public is invited to this free event. Call (507) 646-3248.

Hardanger fiddle aficionado Andrea Een keeps a Norwegian folk tradition alive at St. Olaf
MAY 3, 2002 — Associate Professor of Music Andrea Een is trained as a classical violin and viola player. During the past 25 years, however, she's developed a love of the Hardanger fiddle -- and worked to keep the Norwegian folk fiddling tradition alive. On May 8, 2002, Een received the St. Olav's Medal, a prestigious honor from the Norwegian government that acknowledges her work on behalf of the motherland.

MacPhail Center's O'Fallon to speak at Honors Day convocation
MAY 3, 2002 — Dr. David O'Fallon, a co-founder of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre in Minneapolis and the new president of the MacPhail Center for the Arts, will speak at the 2002 Honors Day Convocation in Boe Memorial Chapel on Friday, May 3. The event, which will be followed by a public reception, begins at 10:10 a.m. The MacPhail Center in Minneapolis is the second largest community music school in the country.

Oles clinch their third straight MIAC Conference Tournament bid
MAY 2, 2002 — On Wednesday in St. Cloud, the St. Olaf baseball team clinched their third straight MIAC Conference Tournament bid with their sweep over St. John's 7-2 and 16-1.

Oles compete in Luther Invite
MAY 1, 2002 — The Oles competed in the Luther Invite this past weekend in Decorah, Iowa. Seven of the women played and finished well against some tough competition.

Men's Tennis defeats Carleton
MAY 1, 2002 — St. Olaf College Men's tennis team defeated crosstown rival Carleton College on Monday the 29th, with a score of 6-3. This win brings the Oles to 7-2 in the MIAC and 11-7 overall.

St. Olaf Fastpitch splits with Carleton, Drops two to Stout
MAY 1, 2002 — The St. Olaf fastpitch team split with Carleton on Monday, April 29th. After losing the first game 12-4, the Oles came back strong in the nightcap winning 5-1. On Tuesday, April 30th, the Oles dropped two to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, 10-2 and 9-7.