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< April 2006
June 2006 >


St. Olaf student wins Norwegian essay contest
Hopkins
MAY 30, 2006 — "I think that Ibsen... is as much a philosopher as an author," says St. Olaf philosophy major Nathan Hopkins, who just won first prize in a Henrik Ibsen essay contest with his paper, "Love's Reconciliation: On the Contemporary Significance of Ibsen's Ethics."

Commencement to be held outside at Manitou
Thomforde
MAY 28, 2006 — With blue skies, a brilliant sun and temperatures forecast to top 90 degrees, the St. Olaf Commencement exercises will be held outdoors on Manitou Field, President Christopher M. Thomforde announced at Baccalaureate this morning. The ceremony is open to the public and will be broadcast live on KYMN radio 1080 AM.

Nobel Laureate to speak at St. Olaf Commencement
MAY 28, 2006 — Nobel Laureate Peter Agre, professor of biological chemistry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will give the address during Commencement ceremonies at 2:30 p.m. on Manitou Field. In case of rain, commencement will be held in Skoglund Center Auditorium, where seating will be limited to graduates and their guests.

Other events during the Commencement weekend include the all-senior art show at the Flaten Art Museum in Dittmann Center, Baccalaureate worship service Sunday at 9 a.m. in Skoglund. Concerts during the weekend include the St. Olaf Orchestra on Friday at 8 p.m., the St. Olaf Band on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and the St. Olaf Choir Saturday at 8 p.m. All three concerts will take place in Skoglund Center and are free and open to the public.

St. Olaf Band to perform Celebration weekend concert
MAY 27, 2006 — The St. Olaf Band will present a Celebration Weekend concert at 2:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center Auditorium. The program features percussionist/pianist Jeffrey Bina '06, as soloist on Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1, Movement III" and Egil Lysebo '81, returning from Norway for his 25-year reunion, guest conducting the Grainger "Irish Tune from County Derry." Other works will include Melillo's "Without Warning," Ewazen's "A Hymn for the Lost and the Living," Susato's "Selections from the Danserye," Menard's "Joe's Last Mix," and Reed's "Carnival" from "La Fiesta Mexicana." The concert is free and open to the public.

St. Olaf Orchestra concert features orchestra alumni
MAY 26, 2006 — The St. Olaf Orchestra will be hosting a reunion during the 2006 Celebration Weekend on Friday with 160 orchestra alums joining the St. Olaf Orchestra for an afternoon rehearsal and evening concert. The program for the 8 p.m. concert in Skoglund Center Auditorium will include "A Short Ride in a Fast Machine" by John Adams, "Symphony No. 2, Movement III" by Rachmaninoff, "Second Essay" by Samuel Barber, "Academic Festival Overture" by Brahms, and "The Turtle Dove" arranged by G. Winston Cassler. The concert is free and open to the public.

Nursing student named St. Olaf Commencement speaker
Peterson
MAY 26, 2006 — "I have found nursing to be a way in which I serve people during the most vulnerable moments of their lives and promote change," says Peterson, who plans to address her classmates at Commencement about the responsibility that comes with their hard-earned liberal arts education.

Ole leads fight against junk food in school vending machines
MAY 24, 2006 — Bryan Bass ?95, assistant principal at North Community High School in Minneapolis, is featured in a recent Star tribune article on the de-proliferation of junk food in urban high schools.

Leming publishes two books on dealing with death
Leming
MAY 23, 2006 — Professor of Sociology Michael Leming recently published two books, both of which he co-authored with George Dickinson of the College of Charleston, S.C.

Bill Bennett works St. Olaf into Syttende Mai program
Bennett
MAY 23, 2006 — Thanks to a tip from Bob Marotz '75, St. Olaf College was able to send a package of Norwegian-related material to Bill Bennett, host of the nationally syndicated Morning in America show, in time for his May 17 radio program that he devoted to Norway's Constitution Day.

Art exhibit to showcase works by St. Olaf seniors
MAY 22, 2006 — The annual all senior art exhibit in Dittmann Center, Flaten Art Museum and Virginia and Jennifer C. Groot Gallery will run May 22-28. Senior art majors are required to create and prepare for this professional art exhibit as the culmination of their art studies. Works will include photography, prints, oil paintings, sculptures, ceramics, quilts and more. A reception for the senior art majors will be held Sunday, May 28 at 11 a.m.

St. Olaf to host numerous events during Commencement weekend
Agre
MAY 19, 2006 — Before Nobel Laureate Peter Agre and St. Olaf nursing major Breanna Peterson address the Class of 2006 during Commencement, St. Olaf will host numerous events for returning alumni and the public.

Ole baseball team wins tournament and NCAA bid
MAY 18, 2006 — Paul Johnson '08 struck out 12 batters in a complete game win as the St. Olaf baseball team outlasted Hamline 3-2 in the MIAC Tournament Championship in Dundas, Minn.

St. Olaf Bookstore to offer Syttende Mai sale
MAY 17, 2006 — Celebrate Syttende Mai at the St. Olaf Bookstore with their end of the term sale. Items such as clothing, gifts, Scandinavian food/gifts and general reading books will be discounted 20 percent. This special sale runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Buntrock Commons.

Syttende Mai breakfast to be hosted at St. Olaf College
MAY 17, 2006 — The annual celebration of Syttende Mai will begin with the traditional Norwegian breakfast hosted by the St. Olaf Norwegian Department and the Norwegian House from 7?9 a.m. in Buntrock Commons, Kings Dining Room. The breakfast features a variety of Norwegian breads, cheeses, meats and fish, waffles and fruit. Entertainment will be provided by students and faculty in the Norwegian Department and Lars Skjervheim Spelemannslag, a Hardanger Fiddle group. Tickets, $10, are available at the door or can be purchased beforehand by calling 646-3230.

Postlethwaite reviews Anne Tyler's newest novel
Digging to America
MAY 16, 2006 — Professor of English Diana Postlethwaite's review of Anne Tyler's novel, Digging to America, appears in a recent issue of the Star Tribune.

Taliaferro publishes collection of essays
Love, Love, Love and Other Essays
MAY 15, 2006 — Professor of Philosophy Charles Taliaferro has published Love, Love, Love and Other Essays: Light Reflections on Love, Life and Death, a collection of 43 philosophical essays.

Two Ole professors weigh in on The Da Vinci Code
MAY 15, 2006 — Associate Professor of Religion James Hanson and Professor of English Diana Postlethwaite are both quoted in a recent Star Tribune article on The Da Vinci Code.

Alumnus founds steel drum band at Minnesota high school
MAY 15, 2006 — Kristofer Olsen '98, band director at Redwood Falls High School, is the feature of a newscast on the Twin Cities' WCCO.

Gimse's new sculpture sets tone for Dundas development
Gimse
MAY 15, 2006 — Sculptor and St. Olaf Professor Emeritus of Art Mac Gimse is featured in a recent Star Tribune article.

ART for AIDS Art Show Featuring Derk Hansen
MAY 13, 2006 — ART for AIDS featuring the work of Minnesota artist Derk Hansen, will be held at St. Olaf College in Buntrock Commons Saturday, May 13, from 1-7 p.m. Fifteen percent of the art show's profits to will be donated to the Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN). The show will also feature a presentation by Curt Peterson, director of Rural AIDS Action Network, and members of Student Global AIDS (St. Olaf College Student Organization), which will begin at 5 p.m.

Karibu African Club sponsors weekend events
MAY 12, 2006 — The St. Olaf Karibu African Club has a full weekend of events planned beginning with a night of African dancing and drumming with Christian Yao Adeti at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 12 in Buntrock Commons Sun Ballroom. Snacks will be provided and the event is free and open to the public. May 13 events will be a 1 p.m. lecture in the Sun Ballroom by Professors Joseph Mbele and Joan Heburn "Impacts of the African Diaspora," and a film "The History of an African Hero" at 6:30 p.m. in Science Center 280. The finale of the weekend will be the 3 p.m. banquet on Sunday, May 14 in the Sun Ballrooom, featuring African food, dancing, a fashion show, poetry and a slide show.

St. Olaf Orchestra concert to feature senior soloists
MAY 12, 2006 — The St. Olaf Orchestra will present a concert featuring senior soloists at 7:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center Auditorium. The soloists are Kristin Clark of Eden Prairie, Minn., on marimba, Karin Hancock of Great Falls, Mont., on piano, Claire Kelly, Fort Worth, Texas, violin, Eric Neuville of Wapaca, Wis., baritone, Sonja Tengblad of Maple Grove, Minn., soprano, and Micah Wilkinson of Fort Worth, Texas, on trumpet. The concert is free and open to the public.

Alumni panel to discuss careers in music
MAY 12, 2006 — "Entrepreneurs in Music," an alumni panel, will be held Sunday, May 14, at 4 p.m. in Christiansen Hall of Music, Fosnes Choral Room. The event is free and open to students and the public.

Senior soloists perform with St. Olaf Orchestra
Hancock
MAY 10, 2006 — "I knew there couldn't be a better way to put a cap on four years as a piano performance major than playing... with the St. Olaf Orchestra," says Karin Hancock, one of six student soloists who will perform in what has become one of the most popular annual concerts at St. Olaf.

Art for AIDS show to be held at St. Olaf Saturday
MAY 9, 2006 — The Rural AIDS Action Network will host an Art for AIDS art sale at St. Olaf College in Buntrock Commons. The show will feature the work of Minnesota artist Derk Hansen, who will donate 15 percent of the show's profits to RAAN.

Meet the author series to bring David Laskin to campus
MAY 9, 2006 — David Laskin will visit St. Olaf to discuss his new book, The Children's Blizzard on Tuesday, May 9 at 3 p.m. in Viking Theater. Bob Cannon of Entertainment Weekly praises the book: "This account of the 1888 blizzard that killed more than 100 children in the Great Plains reads like a thriller in which a deranged predator preys upon an unsuspecting frontier population." The book will be 15 percent discounted at the St. Olaf Bookstore the week of May 7.

Pandemic Flu: Are You Ready? to be topic of presentation
MAY 9, 2006 — In honor of National Nurses' Week, May 7-13, the St. Olaf Nursing Department is sponsoring a public presentation titled "Pandemic Flu: Are You Ready?" at 8 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater. Presenters Mary Beth Kuehn and senior student Jennifer Bush were invited to give this presentation at the Minnesota Nurse Educators Conference in April. Learn how to prepare as an individual, community member or health care provider and test your knowledge by playing a fun and interactive game.

Student chosen as U.N. sustainability commission delegate
MAY 8, 2006 — Chloe Stull-Lane '07 has been selected as a youth delegate for the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in New York. She will be one of approximately 20 youth delegates from the United States.

Chapel renovation moves St. Olaf concert venues
MAY 8, 2006 — The current renovation project in Boe Memorial Chapel at St. Olaf has caused most annual spring music performances at the college to shift to Skoglund Center Auditorium.

St. Olaf Companydance to perform at University of Minnesota
Roberts
MAY 8, 2006 — Swing a Club: facing cancer, an interdisciplinary dance piece choreographed by St. Olaf Dance Artist in Residence Anthony Roberts, will be performed at the Barbara Barker Center for Dance at the University of Minnesota. The piece will be performed by students of Companydance and St. Olaf dance faculty members.

Sauve recognized in two poetry contests
MAY 8, 2006 — St. Olaf College Associate Archivist Jeff Sauve's poem, "Wading in the Zumbro," has been selected as a finalist in two recent poetry contests.

Alumna to manage choir during Johnson's absence
Parish
MAY 8, 2006 — After 28 years at St. Olaf, Bob Johnson, manager of the St. Olaf choir, will be taking a three-month leave of absence. Jean Strohm Parish '88 will take over Johnson?s duties during this time.

St. Olaf Choir to perform spring concert
MAY 7, 2006 — The St. Olaf Choir will perform its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center Auditorium. Robert Scholz '61 will be the guest conductor, while Anton Armstrong '78, is on sabbatical through the end of the academic year. A special highlight of the program will be the world premieres of St. Olaf faculty member Justin Merritt's Agnus Dei and Scholz' God with Us. The concert is free and open to the public.

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life to be held at St. Olaf College
MAY 5, 2006 — The student group, St. Olaf Cancer Connection, will host the 2006 American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Manitou Field on May 5, an event celebrating survivorship and honoring loved ones battle with cancer. The 2005 event raised more than $57,000 dollars for cancer research and the 2006 challenges more faculty and staff team participation and an increase in money to be raised. A kick-off event will be held Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Trollhaugen room.

Honors Day Convocation to recognize student achievements
MAY 5, 2006 — More than 1,500 St. Olaf students will be recognized for their academic achievements at the annual Honors Day Convocation to be held in Skoglund Center Auditorium beginning at 10:10 a.m. The faculty will process in academic regalia and Professor of Philosphy Edward Langerak will give the address "Seeing Through."

Science Symposium to be part of annual Honors Day event
MAY 5, 2006 — The sixth annual Honors Day Science Symposium at St. Olaf College will begin at 2 p.m. in Science Center 280. This year's theme "A Balance for the Future: The Science of Sustainability," will feature plenary speakers Dr. Steven Polasky, Dr. Robin Rogers and Dr. Nancy B. Grimm. A poster session featuring student projects will be held at 4:45 p.m. and the evening plenary session will begin at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

History class to host symposium on Wal-Mart at St. Olaf
MAY 4, 2006 — St. Olaf College will host the symposium "Wal-Mart America: Changing the Face of our World." The event, sponsored by Assistant Professor of History Eric Fure-Slocum's History 297 class, will feature a panel discussion on Wal-Mart and American society and presentations of student research projects.

History 297 to give presentation on Wal-Mart America
MAY 4, 2006 — Wal-Mart America: Changing the Face of Our World, will be presented by St. Olaf's History 297 class at 6:30 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, the Pause. This event featuring student projects and panel discussion will explore changes in our work, business, shopping and the everyday landscape in the late 20th and early-21st centuries. Free and open to the public.

Companydance to present spring concert
MAY 4, 2006 — The Companydance ensemble will present a spring concert on May 4, 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Kelsey Theatre, Theatre Building. The evening of original modern dance works features an engaging work by Minneapolis native Mathew Janczewski and pieces by dance faculty Janice Roberts, Anthony Roberts and Heather Klopchin. Also featured will be choreography by senior dance students. Tickets, $8, are available by calling 646-3240.

Relay for Life to be held at St. Olaf Friday
MAY 3, 2006 — As many as 700 people -- students and area residents -- are expected to participate in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life Friday at St. Olaf. "You really just have to experience it to feel the energy and sincerity of every person there," says co-organizer Margit Ahmann.

Langerak to address St. Olaf students on Honors Day
Langerak
MAY 1, 2006 — Professor of Philosophy Ed Langerak's Honors Day address to students Friday will be built around a statement of Dutch-American novelist Peter DeVries: "We are put on this Earth primarily not to see through one another but to see one another through."

St. Olaf retirees to be honored
MAY 1, 2006 — The President's Reception honoring retirees will be held Tuesday, May 9, at 4 p.m. in the Gold and Sun Ballrooms, Buntrock Commons.

Magnum Chorum to perform "Songs of Scandinavia"
MAY 1, 2006 — Magnum Chorum will present "Songs of Scandinavia" on Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., and on Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at Church of St. Michael in Stillwater, Minn.