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< February 2008
April 2008 >


St. Olaf names new football coach
MARCH 31, 2008 — Jerry Olszewski, most recently the defensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has been named head football coach at St. Olaf.

Business Week cites St. Olaf's turbine as example of eco-architecture
MARCH 31, 2008 — In an article that describes how colleges are leading the green architecture movement, Business Week notes that St. Olaf College has an "energy-saving giant" in its wind turbine. "Today in Minnesota, campuses that once guzzled watts without a care are making energy out of thin air," the article states.

Hassler obit notes Postlethwaite's Times review
MARCH 28, 2008 — The New York Times obituary for Minnesota author Jon Hassler notes a Times review of his 1997 title, The Dean's List, written by St. Olaf Professor of English Diana Postlethwaite. "Jon Hassler is Minnesota's most engaging cultural export," she wrote.

Jazz pianist Toby Koenigsberg to perform
Koenigsberg
MARCH 27, 2008 — Jazz pianist Toby Koenigsberg, who has performed around the world as a solo artist and with the Toby Koenigsberg Trio, will present a recital at St. Olaf April 4.

Inside Higher Ed quotes Lund on declining dollar and overseas study
MARCH 27, 2008 — St. Olaf -- a longtime leader in the number of students it sends abroad -- continues to see stable application numbers from students who want to participate in off-campus programs. But, says Director of International and Off-Campus Studies Eric Lund, because of the global economy "... we're wondering if this is going to be the year when we see a drop in the number of applications."

Guest pianists Deanne Mohr, Eric Brisson to perform
MARCH 27, 2008 — Canadian pianists Deanne Mohr and Eric Brisson will perform at St. Olaf April 3. "The program they will present is an exciting mix of the music of various French composers," says St. Olaf Associate Professor of Piano Performance Kent McWilliams.

Star Tribune profiles alumnus
MARCH 27, 2008 — "I took an investments class [at St. Olaf] and from that moment on I knew what I wanted to do with my life," Keith Tufte '82 tells the Star Tribune in a recent profile. The alumnus is president of Longview Wealth Management.

Continuing the cleanup
Rambachan
MARCH 26, 2008 — "Katrina was really an awakening to us across the country that America wasn't perfect," St. Olaf student Ishanna Rambachan '08 recently told The Mississippi Press. Rambachan has returned to Biloxi this week as part of the Ole Spring Relief III effort.

Sing For Joy founder Alvin Rueter dies
MARCH 26, 2008 — The Rev. Alvin Rueter, creator of the unique radio program Sing For Joy that is now produced at St. Olaf College, died Friday, March 21, in Blair, Neb.

New York Times cites Christmas Fest simulcast as part of growing trend
MARCH 24, 2008 — The New York Times notes that the simulcast of St. Olaf's 2007 Christmas Festival is part of a growing trend of showing broadcasts of live events in movie theaters.

St. Olaf to present special Sing For Joy broadcasts, host Easter Vigil
MARCH 20, 2008 — St. Olaf will host the area Easter Vigil Saturday, and broadcast special Sing For Joy radio programs during the weekend.

Student EMTs make a difference -- one call at a time
MARCH 19, 2008 — St. Olaf is one of just three colleges in Minnesota that have a highly trained group of on-call student EMTs. "We can conduct assessments, treat injuries and administer oxygen," says student EMT Julia Smith '08.

Alumna inducted into California 'Oldtimers' sports hall of fame
MARCH 19, 2008 — Carol Jean Bordsen '53, who helped usher women's sports at Yuba College into the mainstream, is the first woman inducted into the Northern California Sports Association's "Oldtimers" Hall of Fame.

For many Oles, spring break means service, biking and Frisbees
MARCH 18, 2008 — "I see spring break as sort of a built-in opportunity to do service work every year," says Daniel Langseth '10, who will travel to Nicaragua with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The group is just one of a number of campus organizations putting their break time to good use.

Students to lobby for grant program during 'Day at the Capitol'
MARCH 14, 2008 — On April 9 students will lobby legislators for the continued support of student financial aid. "This is an opportunity to talk with legislators, learn how a state body works, and advocate for a tangible way to affect policy," says Tyler Hauger '08.

Orchestra to perform Spring Concert Sunday
MARCH 13, 2008 — One of the pieces the St. Olaf Orchestra will perform during its Spring Concert in Boe Memorial Chapel Sunday is by Christy Mooers '08. "Christy's piece is based on the idea that we should live in the moment," Conductor Steven Amundson says.

Alumnus to step down as state's chief justice
Anderson
MARCH 13, 2008 — Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell Anderson '64 has announced that he plans to retire this summer. Gov. Tim Pawlenty told the Star Tribune that Anderson is an "extraordinary leader and public servant."

Clean water activist named St. Olaf Commencement speaker
Seacrest
MARCH 13, 2008 — Last year activist Susan Seacrest '75 received an award that cited her creativity, collaborative abilities and persistence in building a foundation that operates in hundreds of communities across more than 40 states. She's returning to campus this spring to address the Class of 2008.

Kiplinger's cites St. Olaf as a 'Best Value'
MARCH 11, 2008 — The latest rendition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's "Best Values in Private Colleges" places St. Olaf in the top 50 in the nation based on quality and affordability.

Principal Rolf Carlsen '83 featured in Star Tribune
MARCH 10, 2008 — Rolf Carlsen '83, honored recently for his work as an elementary school principal, credits his experience at St. Olaf with having taught him how important relationships are between students and teachers. "Once you know as a student that your teacher cares about you, amazing things can happen."

Alumna opera singer to perform
MARCH 10, 2008 — Audience members will have the opportunity to hear what Entertainment News calls "... high notes that thrill and a creamy middle range" when St. Olaf College alumna Kelly Kaduce '96 returns to campus.

Recital to premiere 1940's piano composition
Beach
MARCH 10, 2008 — Two pianists, a soprano, a violinist and a cellist will combine forces Thursday to celebrate the work of composer Amy Beach -- known in her lifetime as the foremost U.S. woman composer. The recital will include the premiere of a long-lost Beach composition for two pianos.

Annual Belgum Lectures to focus on virtue, happiness
Annas
MARCH 10, 2008 — University of Arizona Professor of Philosophy Julia Annas will explore whether virtue leads to happiness at the upcoming Belgum Lectures, which will be held at St. Olaf College Monday and Tuesday.

Star Tribune finds a 'Doctor in the House'
MARCH 9, 2008 — Jon Hallberg '88 is the on-call doctor for the Guthrie, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra and more. "His understanding of art carries over into his practice of medicine so that it's not just a science for him but also an art." says Osmo Vanska, music director of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Hofrenning appears on Almanac
Hofrenning
MARCH 8, 2008 — St. Olaf Professor of Political Science Dan Hofrenning appeared on Twin Cities Public Television's March 7 Almanac show as part of the Political Science Panel that discussed the current state of the presidential campaign.

Series of art-related events to highlight global climate change
MARCH 7, 2008 — An exhibit that is on display at St. Olaf's Flaten Art Museum through April 13 uses the ancient medium of batik to explore global climate change. A number of exhibit-related events are planned March 31-April 3.

Great Conversation announces students of the year
MARCH 7, 2008 — This year's Great Conversation Student of the Year event not only honored Cody Venzke '10 and Matthew Jobe '10, but also included the announcement that longtime program director Edmund Santurri is stepping down.

St. Olaf Band to perform Sunday
MARCH 7, 2008 — The St. Olaf Band, playing under guest conductor John Whitwell, will perform on campus in Skoglund Center Auditorium Sunday. The concert will be free and open to the public, and streamed live.

Ruby interviewed for MPR debt story
MARCH 6, 2008 — "The tightening of credit market has also affected private student loans so that they're becoming harder to borrow," St. Olaf Director of Financial Aid Kathy Ruby recently told MPR for a story on how college students are dealing with debt.

Sandberg presents wind turbine webinar
Sandberg
MARCH 6, 2008 — Pete Sandberg, assistant vice president for facilities at St. Olaf, recently facilitated a two-part webinar titled "Deploying a Wind Turbine for Your Campus" to representatives from more than 30 academic institutions.

MTV interviews politically active alumna
MARCH 6, 2008 — Beth Cieslik '04 was interviewed for a recent MTV story about young poll workers. "We're trying to simplify [the process] so you don't have to dig through these sometimes confusing government Web sites," says Cieslik.

St. Olaf team presents Regents Hall to national audience
MARCH 6, 2008 — St. Olaf faculty member Dave VanWylen '80 and head of facilities Pete Sandberg recently attended a conference in Washington, D.C., where the duo helped teach other institutions how to build a great science building.

Star Tribune profiles globetrotting Ole
MARCH 5, 2008 — "My nearest neighbor was 20 minutes away down a dirt road," Bria Schurke '08 told the Star Tribune recently about growing up in Ely, Minn., on her parents' dogsled lodge. "But we had the world coming through our door."

Scandinavian expert to discuss 'IKEA effect'
Supphellen
MARCH 5, 2008 — With hundreds of stores in more than 35 countries around the world, Swedish furniture giant IKEA has made its mark. But what effect has it had on consumers? Norwegian academic Magne Supphellen will discuss the "IKEA effect" during a March 11 lecture.

Lecture to examine role of World Bank
MARCH 5, 2008 — What happens when one of the largest organizations in the world working to reduce poverty fails to follow through on its promises? Michael Goldman, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, will examine the work of the World Bank during a lecture at St. Olaf College March 17.

Retired staff member Bill Morson dies
Morson
MARCH 5, 2008 — Retired St. Olaf Public Safety Officer Bill Morson died recently in Northfield. The funeral will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield.

Alumna elected president of Minnesota RollerGirls
MARCH 5, 2008 — "I don't think anyone would expect a nice Ole to [look] for a sport that requires smashing into other people, but that is exactly what I ended up doing," says Lindsy Halleckson '02 on her new role with the Minnesota RollerGirls.

Walter to discuss biological research in Mellby Lecture
MARCH 4, 2008 — After 35 years of research Professor of Biology Anne Walter is fluent in the permeability of cell membrane compositions. During her upcoming Mellby lecture she'll compare her work today to when she began, as well as look to the future.

International Night to celebrate 42 years of 'Unity Through Diversity'
MARCH 4, 2008 — The 42nd International Night will celebrate dance, music and art from around the world. "Classes will only teach you so much, but once you become a 'global citizen' ... that's when real and positive change can be made in this world," says event co-chair Ladeisha Bhide '09.

Etiquette expert offers tips for St. Olaf students, employees
Cawdron
MARCH 3, 2008 — "Anyone can have good manners," says etiquette expert Anthony Cawdron. A former butler who has worked with England's royal family, Cawdron was on campus recently to offer mealtime tips to St. Olaf students, faculty and staff.

President Anderson notes college's buoyant mood
MARCH 3, 2008 — A recent posting by St. Olaf College President David R. Anderson '74 notes that it's "a season of celebration" on campus. The college has met its $33 million goal for the new science complex, and the campus community is making plans for commencement.

St. Olaf events celebrate Women's History Month
MARCH 2, 2008 — To honor the 30th anniversary of women's history celebrations, St. Olaf College will be hosting events such as a book discussion on Nancy Drew and a look at the women stars of the "silver screen."