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< February 2005
April 2005 >


Renowned St. Olaf Classics Department to host national convention in April
MARCH 31, 2005 — With one of the largest Classics Department of any liberal arts college in the country -- and one with numerous teaching and translation awards to its credit -- St. Olaf seems the logical choice to host the national convention of Eta Sigma Phi in April.

'Quilt of Valor' will benefit Northfield soldiers in Kuwait
MARCH 31, 2005 — A "Quilt of Valor," assembled by 11 St. Olaf faculty and staff members, was sold for over $500 at a recent dance and silent auction benefitting the Northfield Support Our Soldiers (SOS) group.

St. Olaf Goldwater Scholars demonstrate outstanding potential in math, science
MARCH 31, 2005 — Lisa Schaus '06, William Shyy '07 and Daniel Visscher '06 are among the 320 undergraduate sophomores and juniors nationwide awarded prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarships. Established by Congress in 1986 to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is awarded annually to students who demonstrate outstanding potential and who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.

Environmental Coalition brings hope to campus
MARCH 31, 2005 — Making the St. Olaf campus more hopeful, not just "greener," is a new mission for the student-run Environmental Coalition. A four-part Hope Lecture Series: Considering Hope as Vehicle for Change, will address how the Coalition can bring hopeful messages to the St. Olaf and Northfield communities.

Lecture series to consider hope as a vehicle for change
MARCH 31, 2005 — The Hope Lecture Series, sponsored by the St. Olaf Environmental Coalition, will reflect on hope -- and people nurture and sustain it -- in an increasingly difficult world. The lecture series begins Thursday, March 31.

St. Olaf junior speaks in D.C. on behalf of Minnesota TriO programs
Tischler
MARCH 31, 2005 — St. Olaf student Jonathan Tischler '06 represented Minnesota TRiO students at the 2005 National Council for Opportunity in Education Policy Seminar, where he and St. Olaf TRiO leaders met with congressional representatives to discuss the importance of the federally funded TRiO programs.

Psychology conference to focus on creative interventions for troubled children and youth
MARCH 31, 2005 — A conference co-sponsored by St. Olaf College and Allina Medical Clinic of Northfield will be held in the Buntrock Commons March 31 and April 1. Keynote speaker for "Creative Interventions for Abused and Traumatized Children" is Liana Lowenstein, a registered social worker, certified trainer and supervisor in play therapy, who maintains a private practice in Toronto, Canada. Early registration (before Feb. 27) is $215; postmarked after Feb. 27, the cost is $235; and on-site registration is $255. The registration fee includes tuiton and handouts. Call 507-646-3043 or 800-726-6523 or e-mail psychologyconference@stolaf.edu.

St. Olaf's successful TRiO programs targeted for elimination by federal budget cuts
MARCH 31, 2005 — For many low-income and first-generation high school students, obtaining a college education has been possible thanks to federally-funded TRiO college-prep programs established in 1965 by President Johnson as part of the "war on poverty." Nationally, more than 3,000 TRiO programs service two million students; 20,000 of these students are in Minnesota. Now the TRiO programs are threatened with elimination, and students and teachers are calling for action.

De Vries discusses his book about Dutch maternity care
MARCH 30, 2005 — In A Pleasing Birth: Midwives and Maternity Care in the Netherlands, St. Olaf Professor of Sociology Ray De Vries takes a look at what he says might be the Netherlands' "most radical policy." He recently discussed his book, plus the related issues of health care organization and reform.

Harvard Glee Club to perform at St. Olaf College
MARCH 30, 2005 — The Harvard Glee Club will give a performance at St. Olaf College in Boe Memorial Chapel at 10:10 a.m. during the regularly-scheduled chapel time. The 60-voice group, formed in 1858 has earned a national reputation of prestigious standing. This event is free and open to the public.

Sanders '94 presents lecture on suicide
MARCH 29, 2005 — In recognition of National Social Work Month, Sara Sanders '94, recipient of this year's 2005 Genesis Award in Social Work, recently presented her public lecture, "Professional Reactions to Client Suicidal Behavior."

St. Olaf, Carleton to co-host conference on innovations in the scholarship of teaching and learning
MARCH 28, 2005 — The scholarship of teaching and learning, a national initiative now numbering more than 200 colleges and universities, involves faculty members applying the tools of scholarly inquiry to student learning in their individual classrooms. St. Olaf and Carleton will further this initiative, as it applies to liberal arts colleges, with a conference April 1-3.

St. Olaf hosts Great Easter Vigil
Boe Chapel
MARCH 28, 2005 — Bishop Harold Usgaard of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA presided in a special service of the Great Easter Vigil at St. Olaf on Saturday. "We hope that this service brought light and fellowship to all who participated," says St. Olaf Director of Church Relations Janet Kringen Thompson '70.

St. Olaf to hold Easter Vigil March 26
MARCH 26, 2005 — St. Olaf invites the public to a special Easter Vigil service on Saturday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel. Bishop Harold Usgaard of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will preside over the one-and-a-half-hour service.

Professor ponders how war in Iraq is affecting Minnesotans
MARCH 21, 2005 — The anti-war sentiment so prevalent during the Vietnam War has been dampened during the current conflict in Iraq because the United States still employs a "volunteer Army," says St. Olaf political scientist Dan Hofrenning. A frequent commentator on state and national politics, Hofrenning told the Star Tribune recently that "the electorate could conclude that the benefits are worth the cost" of war, should they see flickers of democracy in Iraq.

Cisar reappointed to second term as registrar
MARCH 18, 2005 — Provost and Dean of the College James May has announced that College Registrar Mary Cisar has been reappointed to a second three-year term as registrar.

Guest speakers to discuss public policy issues affecting the well being of Minnesota families
MARCH 17, 2005 — What policies should the Legislature pursue to help families thrive in a way that promotes justice? What are the values underlying these policy alternatives? Come to the Viking Theater at 11:30 a.m. to hear different responses to these questions in a discussion by the Rev. Douglas Mitchell, associate pastor for Mission and Outreach at Westminster Presbyterian Church and a board member of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, and David Strom, president of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota.

Leon Lunder '71 named Sports Ethics Fellow
MARCH 17, 2005 — Leon Lunder '71 has been named one of 12 Sports Ethics Fellows for 2005 by the Institute for International Sport. Lunder, Athletic Director at Carleton College, promotes ethics in sports in Division III.

Investment returns place St. Olaf among top 5 percent of colleges nationally
MARCH 17, 2005 — Thanks to the expertise of the Board of Regents' investment subcommittee, St. Olaf College posted a near-record rate of return for its endowment investments. That places the institution among the top 5 percent of colleges and universities nationwide.

Priore, Giannini receive information literacy grant for biology
MARCH 16, 2005 — St. Olaf Science Librarian Charles Priore and Associate Professor of Biology John Giannini have been awarded a $6,000 Associated Colleges of the Midwest Information Literacy Grant for their project, "The Next Step: Integrating Information Literacy and BioInformatics for Upper-Level Graduates." The project proposes a new set of exercises to be implemented in upper level biology classes to follow the information literacy skills learned in introductory biology courses. "Our goal is to use one class, "Plant Physiology 251," as our experimental class. Then, based on what we have learned, integrate our ideas into the upper level biology curriculum," says Priore. The experimental exercises include creating a "Review Paper" using a fully interactive and full-text-linked EndNote database. "By the end of the course students will be proficient with the tools needed to do advanced science," says Priore.

St. Olaf to hold Easter Vigil March 26
MARCH 16, 2005 — St. Olaf invites the public to a special Easter Vigil service on Saturday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel. Bishop Harold Usgaard of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will preside over the one-and-a-half-hour service.

Norwegian Hardanger Fiddlers to perform at St. Olaf College
MARCH 15, 2005 — A Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle concert will be presented by Hauk Buen from Telemark, Norway and Olav Jorgan Hegge and Mary Hegge from Valdres, Norway, from 7-8 p.m. in Ytterboe Hall Lounge. This event is free and open to the public.

Buen is a well-known performers of the Hardanger fiddle and has received many awards and honors for his work as a musician and fiddle maker. Olaf Jorgan Hegge is a tradition-bearer of the music from Valdres, both as a dancer and a fiddler, and along with his wife Mary, are national champion dancers in the Valdres springar. Mary has studied langeleik with Olav's relatives, and now brings that instrument to American audiences.

Philosophy professor takes classroom discussion on panhandlers into the streets
Marino
MARCH 14, 2005 — Philosophy Professor Gordon Marino, whose reflections on American culture and the sport of boxing appear often in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and elsewhere, writes in the March 14 Washington Post about "the price of a quiet conscience."

Norwegian social welfare expert visits campus
Amoako-Addo
MARCH 14, 2005 — Yaw Amoako-Addo, a Norwegian expert on the social welfare state, spoke to St. Olaf students, faculty staff and members of the public about the creation of social security for all people living in Norway and the major objective of Norwegian social policy in a March 14 lecture.

Great Con names Student of the Year
MARCH 14, 2005 — St. Olaf student Mary Sotos '07 has been named Student of the Year of the college's Great Conversation Program. "Whatever commendable qualities they see in me for this award, they only come to light because of the environment the Great Con teachers create together," says Sotos.

St. Olaf Orchestra presents spring concert
MARCH 13, 2005 — The St. Olaf Orchestra, conducted by Steven Amundson, will present a spring concert of Russian and American music. Highlighting the concert will be Kent McWilliams playing Prokofiev's "First Piano Concerto" and composer Justin Merritt will be featured in the premiere performance of a work for string orchestra entitled "Lachryme." The concert is free and open to the public.

March theater production of "Quake" to be directed by senior C. Ryan Shipley
MARCH 13, 2005 — The St. Olaf Theater Department will present "Quake" directed by C. Ryan Shipley '05 (Newton, Iowa) through March 12 at 7:30 p.m. and matinee performances on March 12-13 at 2 p.m. in the Theater Building's Haugen Theater. "Quake" chronicles a woman's cross-country journey in search of her ideal man. Lucy, a curious and determined romantic is on a mission to find her one true love. Tickets, $8, are available by calling 507-646-8987.

St. Olaf Environmental Coalition to present forum on global warming
MARCH 13, 2005 — The student-run St. Olaf Environmental Coalition will present a panel discussion on global warming, featuring four St. Olaf professors and State Rep. Ray Cox, on Sunday, March 13, from 7-9 p.m. in the Buntrock Common's Viking Theater.

Topics will include a scientific overview of global warming by Professor Jacobel, an expert in ice and climate who was recently featured in the cover story of Nature Magazine (Feb 10), Professor Jackson discussing "green chemistry" that could deter global warming, the social implications of global warming with Professor Booth, and local and international policies that affect global warming explained by Professor Kramer and Representative Cox.

Collection of old and new quilts and poetry to be displayed at Flaten Art Museum
MARCH 13, 2005 — Lila Teresa Church, a Black American, will exhibit quilts she has designed, artifact examples of quilts from her collection, and her own poetry in Flaten Art Museum February 18 to March 13. The opening reception will be held from 7-9 p.m.

What's So American About Being American? is theme of Harambe Conference
MARCH 12, 2005 — The annual Harambe Conference at St. Olaf College will be celebrated March 12 in Buntrock Commons. This year's theme "What's So American About Being American?" will explore the true meaning of being an American through race, religion, gender, sexuality, media and dance, in various workshops. Send an e-mail to multicultural@stolaf.edu if you plan to attend. The event is free.

Roe v. Wade attorney gives students a short course in women's rights
MARCH 12, 2005 — Sarah Weddington argued the famous, and controversial, Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court when she was only 26 years old. The landmark decision to legalize abortion ignited a firestorm she didn't foresee, Weddington told students in a recent speech covered by Star Tribune columnist Kim Ode.

St. Olaf Environmental Coalition to present forum on global warming
MARCH 11, 2005 — The student-run St. Olaf Environmental Coalition will present a panel discussion on global warming, featuring four St. Olaf professors and State Rep. Ray Cox, on Sunday, March 13, from 7-9 p.m. in the Buntrock Common?s Viking Theater. The purpose of the forum is to educate students and the public about the science of and issues regarding the often-controversial topic of global warming.

Roman comedy Curculio "The Weevil" to be presented at St. Olaf
MARCH 11, 2005 — St. Olaf Classics students will perform the ancient Roman comedy Curculio (The Weevil) by Plautus at 7:30 p.m. March 11-12, in Christiansen Hall of Music, room 233. The play, a musical mixture of Latin and English runs about 60-70 minutes, can be enjoyed without any knowledge of Latin. Free and open to the public; suitable for all ages.

St. Olaf student speaks up for Minnesota TRiO funding
Lily Moua
MARCH 11, 2005 — "I represent the many students who feel that TRiO has made a difference in our lives," said St. Olaf student Lily Moua during a press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol Friday. The conference introduced a bill that proposes funding the successful, but threatened, TRiO programs with state money.

Noted essayist tells why we should remember Korean War
MARCH 11, 2005 — Nationally recognized essayist and American culture critic Gerard Early presented "Why We Should Remember the Korean War" March 10. The core of his presentation addressed the significance of the integration of American combat troops during the conflict and ended with a discussion of three films.

St. Olaf Environmental Coalition to present forum on global warming
MARCH 11, 2005 — The student-run St. Olaf Environmental Coalition will present a panel discussion on global warming, featuring four St. Olaf professors and State Rep. Ray Cox, on Sunday, March 13, from 7-9 p.m. in the Buntrock Common's Viking Theater.

Topics will include a scientific overview of global warming by Professor Jacobel, an expert in ice and climate who was recently featured in the cover story of Nature Magazine (Feb 10), Professor Jackson discussing "green chemistry" that could deter global warming, the social implications of global warming with Professor Booth, and local and international policies that affect global warming explained by Professor Kramer and Representative Cox.

University of Iowa touring repertory dance company presents concert at St. Olaf College
MARCH 10, 2005 — Dancers in Company, the University of Iowa touring repertory dance company, will give a free concert at St. Olaf College on March 10 in the Studio One of Dittmann Center. The company of 12 dancers, undergraduate and graduate students, tours each year from March to June throughout the Midwest, performing a variety of dance forms including contemporary dance, jazz dance and classical ballet. The mission of the company, formed in 1984, has remained to unify dance and education.

Finstad Office receives entrepreneurial grant
MARCH 10, 2005 — St. Olaf Professor of Economics Bruce Dalgaard and Economics Instructor Sian Muir have been awarded a $32,000 grant that will enhance student development while promoting entrepreneurial initiatives. "The grant will give students the opportunity to make a difference in the local community and learn a lot in the process," says Dalgaard.

Nationally recognized essayist and American culture critic Gerard Early to give public lecture
MARCH 10, 2005 — Gerard L. Early will give the Boldt Lecture on March 10, titled: "Why we should remember the Korean War." Early, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, nominated twice for the Grammy Award in the category of Best Album Notes for "Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis, Jr., Story" (2000) and "Rhapsodies in Black: Music and Words from the Harlem Renaissance" (2001) is at work on a book about African Americans and the Korean War. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Pro-choice 'Roe' attorney to kick-off Women's History Month tonight
Weddington
MARCH 9, 2005 — Nationally known attorney and women's advocate Sarah Weddington, who argued the winning side of the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court, will speak tonight at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

St. Olaf ranks third nationally among liberal arts colleges for National Merit Scholars
MARCH 9, 2005 — With 50 National Merit Scholars in its first-year class, St. Olaf ranks third in the nation among liberal arts colleges -- and 44th among all colleges and universities -- for the number of National Merit Scholars in its first-year class.

"Great Con" to name 2005 Student of the Year
MARCH 9, 2005 — The Great Conversation Program at St. Olaf will name the 2005 Student of the Year for the program during a ceremony on Wednesday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Valhalla Room of Buntrock Commons.

St. Olaf College to celebrate Women's History Month with theme of Women in Politics
MARCH 9, 2005 — Several events are scheduled at St. Olaf College to help celebrate Women's History Month. This year's theme is Women in Politics and the kick-off event will be March 9 at 7 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, the Pause, with political activities committee speaker: Sarah Weddington. A reception follows in the Crossroads of Buntrock Commons. The opening program will be March 10 at 11 a.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel. A movie, special dinner and lecture are also being planned as part of the celebration.

A Women in Politics panel and discussion is scheduled for March 16 at 7 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Gold Room with a reception to follow in the Heritage Room. All events planned for the Women's History Month celebration are free and open to the public.

Nic Harter's family finds peace at the river with recovery of his body
MARCH 8, 2005 — The Minneapolis-based Star Tribune featured a tribute to St. Olaf junior Nic Harter and to his parents and their search for closure. Harter apparently drowned while scuba diving with friends last fall; his body was recovered from the Mississippi River on March 6, three months after he disappeared.

Students elect new leadership team for 2005-06 academic year
MARCH 8, 2005 — The St. Olaf Student Government Association (SGA) has held its executive election, ushering in a new team of leadership for the 2005-06 academic year. More than 1,200 students voted for student leaders to represent them and oversee the $450,000 budget governed by the SGA.

Hollywood insider talks about "Stardom: Then and Now"
Basinger
MARCH 8, 2005 — As personal curator for the Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese estates, Jeanine Basinger has connections. On Monday night Basinger drew on her extensive collection of personal interviews and access to film studio archives to present how the concept of stardom has changed over the decades.

Should professors air their political opinions in the classroom?
MARCH 8, 2005 — Across the nation, professors are being challenged about whether they are too politically liberal -- and whether they have a right to share their political opinions with students at all. That debate will get an airing at St. Olaf tonight at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Body of missing St. Olaf student found
MARCH 7, 2005 — A fisherman found the body of missing St. Olaf student Nicholas Harter '06 in the Mississippi River on Sunday. The body was recovered about three miles downriver from where Harter had gone missing while scuba diving last fall.

Film historian to give Hollywood insider's view in public lecture
MARCH 7, 2005 — The fourth annual David and Margery Scheie Lecture in Media and Modern Culture presents film historian Jeanine Basinger in a public lecture March 7 at 7 p.m. in Holland Hall, room 501. Basinger is the author of numerous books on film, including silent films, WWII combat films and women's films. She is Corwin-Fuller Professor of Film Studies at Wesleyan University and also founder and curator of their film archives.

Siemsen writes prefaces to 2 new books
MARCH 7, 2005 — Assistant Professor of Religion Elaine Siemsen has written the preface to Meditations From Iraq: A Chaplain's Ministry In The Middle East by Lance Kittleson. In her preface, Siemsen states, ?These letters are filled with simple moments of serving coffee and serving God, baptism by bottled water and denominational tensions melting under a desert sun.? The book is now available from CSS Publishing Company. In addition, Siemsen has written the preface to the newest edition of Joseph Sittler?s Gravity and Grace: Reflections and Provocations (2004, Augsburg Fortress). In his book, Sittler, a respected authority on Lutheran Theology, discusses issues ranging from The Word of God to aging. The book, which was the focus of several chapel talks during interim at St. Olaf, also features a forward by Martin E. Marty, a senior St. Olaf regent.

Exhibit shows quilting's cultural, spiritual connections to rural life
Church
MARCH 5, 2005 — "As a quilter, I feel spiritually and culturally connected to my rural upbringing... when clean-washed quilts hung on clotheslines and displayed colors that rivaled the beauty of blossoms in flower beds," says Lila Teresa Church, whose quilt show is on display in Flaten Museum.

Innovations in 21st century will come from mathematics and biology, professor says
Steen
MARCH 5, 2005 — Nationally renowned Professor of Mathematics Lynn Steen recently outlined in The Chronicle of Higher Education the "new challenges" for mathematics and biology in the 21st century.

Cantus and the St. Olaf Choir to collaborate in concert at St. Olaf Catholic Church
MARCH 4, 2005 — Cantus, a full-time male vocal ensemble founded in 1995 by four students at St. Olaf College, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. A concert on March 4, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis, in collaboration with the St. Olaf Choir will bring the two groups together for the first time in the Twin Cities.

National Wildlife Federation features St. Olaf ecology
Farrell, Braaten
MARCH 2, 2005 — A recent issue of the National Wildlife Federation's "Campus Ecology E-news" features the college's "Campus Ecology" course that was created and team-taught by Elise Braaten '04 and Professor of History James Farrell.

Barbour gives inaugural lecture as Martin E. Marty Chair in Religion and the Academy
Barbour
MARCH 1, 2005 — Professor of Religion John Barbour, who was appointed the first Martin E. Marty Chair in Religion and the Academy at St. Olaf College last year, presented his first Martin Marty lecture March 1.

John Barbour to deliver Marty Chair Inaugural Lecture
MARCH 1, 2005 — John Barbour, an author, professor of religion and St. Olaf College's first Martin E. Marty Chair in Religion and the Academy, will present "Tourist Traps and Guilt Trips: The Ethics of St. Olaf Abroad" at 7:30 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater. The lecture is free and open to the public.

St. Olaf faculty promoted, tenured
MARCH 1, 2005 — Provost and Dean of the College Jim May recently announced that several St. Olaf faculty members have been promoted and tenured.