Grand Opening Events at Weber Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 19–20

The official name of the building, Weber Center for the Performing Arts, was announced at a press conference Jan. 9.

The public will get its first look at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts, complete with its spectacular view of the Mississippi River, this weekend Jan. 19–20, with a series of activities as part of the much anticipated grand opening of the facility.

The Weber Center for the Performing Arts represents the successful culmination of a unique collaborative venue designed to support the missions of La Crosse Community Theatre and Viterbo while contributing to the vitality of the downtown arts district.

The red carpet premiere, featuring a gala opening performance, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19. Hors d’oeuvres will be available at 6 p.m., followed by a ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m. Sally Cremer, one of the founders of La Crosse Community Theatre, and Marie Leon LaCroix, FSPA, founder of the theatre department at Viterbo University, will cut the ribbon to the main theatre. At 7 p.m., a program and performance featuring a showcase of community and university talent will take place in the theatre. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 per person for reserved seating and are available through the Weber Center box office at 608-784-9292. This event is sponsored in part by BMO Private Bank.

The public is invited to attend a free community open house on Sunday, Jan. 20 from 1–3 p.m. to enjoy self-guided tours of the building and experience a behind-the-scenes look at the theatres, classroom, and backstage areas. The building features a 450-seat main theatre, a 100-seat black box theatre, classroom space, and offices. Located at 428 Front Street South in La Crosse, attendees will be able to enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi River from the lobby and third floor terrace.

“We are excited for the opportunity to welcome the community and share with them this beautiful new facility,” says Weber Center executive director David Kilpatrick. “To see the building come to fruition after years of planning is not only rewarding but a testament to the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers, staff, board members, corporate partners, and others who have assisted the process. The grand opening events give us a chance to celebrate their good work.”

The Weber Center for the Performing Arts was named in honor of Don and Roxanne Weber and their family to recognize their generous support and commitment to the new facility. The center “serves as a performance and administrative center for La Crosse Community Theatre providing opportunities for creativity and personal growth, serves as a performance and learning center expanding and advancing Viterbo's regional and national arts reputation and provides a beautiful community asset for events through cooperation and sustainability.”

For additional information about the Weber Center or the Jan. 19–20 events, contact David Kilpatrick at 608-784-9292, ext. 3, or email Kilpatrick at DKilpatrick@lacrossecommunitytheatre.org. Information may also be found at www.WeberCenterForThePerformingArts.org.

Viterbo to Host Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Jan. 21

Members of the Viterbo community and the public are invited to attend the annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

Faculty are asked to encourage students to attend this event, which promotes respect for diversity and the important legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Keynote speaker Rev. Andre Johnson, Ph.D., will present “From a Dream to a Mountain Top and Beyond: Martin Luther King Jr. and the African American Prophetic Tradition.” Johnson is the Dr. James L. Netters Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Religion and African American Studies at the Memphis Theological Seminary.

The event will also feature music by the Viterbo Concert Choir and 9th Street Singers and the Coulee Region Gospel Choir, and the presentation of the MLK Jr. Leadership Award and the High School Essay Award. The MLK Jr. Leadership Award is given to an individual who has done substantial work in the community in arenas including social justice, equality and cultural diversity; who is allied with others who are dedicated to anti-racism work or who have worked on other justice issues that mirror Dr. King’s concerns such as poverty, privilege and nonviolence; and who is working toward tangible, permanent or systemic change.

 Previous La Crosse area recipients are Roberta Stevens, Thomas Harris, Andrea Hansen, and 
Maureen Freedland.

The annual essay contest is open to high school students in La Crosse, Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem. Students were asked to write on the topic, “Through justice, peace, and righteousness, I am a drum major for the dream of Dr. King.”

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration is free and open to the public. This event has been held for almost a decade to celebrate the legacy of this American icon and hero. The event is sponsored by the La Crosse Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Planning Committee.

Leadership at Noon Series to Feature Chileda Institute President and CEO Ruth Wiseman Jan. 22

The Leadership at Noon Series will continue with Chileda Institute President and CEO Ruth Wiseman Tuesday, Jan. 22 in the Reinhart Center Board Room.

Wiseman, an advocate for children and families with disabilities for more than 20 years, joined Chileda Institute in 2009. A parent of a child with extraordinary needs, Wiseman discovered Chileda Institute in 2000 while searching for services for her son Jason, who was diagnosed with autism and had severe self-injurious behavior. Jason was a Chileda Institute resident until 2001. Wiseman earned a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Austin Peay University and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of South Florida.

Chileda Institute was founded in 1973 in Stevens Point. Its first La Crosse facility opened in 1980 on the Franciscan Skemp/Mayo Health System campus, and it moved to its current home on Victory Street in 2006. Over the years, Chileda Institute has maintained a positive and productive living and learning experience for students. Their efforts are recognized nationwide as a model of compassionate care for children and young adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Chileda Institute was named one of President George H.W. Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light” and has received Franciscan Skemp Health Care System’s “Spheres of Influence” Award.

The Leadership at Noon series features business leaders discussing the key values that contribute to successful business practices. The series will conclude for the academic year Tuesday, March 19 with Nancy Gerrard, co-owner of Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors, and Rick Staff, president of Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors.

All Leadership at Noon events are held from noon–1 p.m. in the Reinhart Center and are free and open to the public. Audience members are welcome to bring their own lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for $5. The Leadership at Noon series is sponsored by the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership and the Dahl School of Business.

Solving the Mystery

High school students participating in Viterbo’s annual Exploring Science through Forensics event analyzed the evidence to solve a murder mystery. The event is designed to get students interested in science and to make them aware of Viterbo’s excellent facilities. Check out more photos from the event. 

Meet Paula Baus

Name: Paula Baus

Position: Administrative Assistant, Center for Adult Learning

Previous employer and position/Past experience as related to current position:   

I worked more than 27 years at The Trane Company in the International Division in various support/customer service roles. After Trane Company I was employed for six years at Webster Industries in Bangor. I established the customer service department from the bottom up. The last couple years I worked various temporary jobs through an employment agency. It was through them that I obtained a temporary position at Viterbo working in the Academic Resource Center. It was there that I realized that Viterbo was a place I would like to stay and continue my career.

Hometown: I grew up in town of Onalaska. I attended and graduated from St. Patrick’s Elementary and Holmen High School. I currently reside in Holmen.

Why did you choose Viterbo as your next employer? During my time working a temporary position in the Academic Resource Center I found Viterbo to be a place where people are friendly, team players, and an all-around pleasant place to work. Co-workers are open to new ideas and supportive of each other.

Hobbies: My hobbies are fishing in our runabout with my husband Dennis of 32 years and our dog Bailey who we rescued two years ago. I enjoy spending time on our houseboat with family and friends, reading, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and shopping. Also, my parents and four sisters and their families all live within a few miles of me so we spend a lot of time together.

Anything about your family you would like to share: My husband and I have two children. Our son Kyle is a Milwaukee Police Officer who recently received an award for saving a baby’s life. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife and step-daughter. Our daughter Kelly lives in Denver and works for the Colorado District Attorney Council.

Take the La Crosse Fitness Festival Challenge

Do you need help with your New Year’s resolution to get active? Join your Viterbo colleagues in the commitment to get fit together. 

Viterbo has once again accepted the corporate challenge for the La Crosse Fitness Festival. The Corporate Challenge is a friendly competition for area businesses and organizations to demonstrate their employees’ commitment to fitness and their community.

Employees of Viterbo compete against other businesses to see who can achieve the highest employee participation rate in the Festival Foods La Crosse Fitness Festival events and earn bragging rights as the healthiest business in
La Crosse. The Festival Foods La Crosse Fitness Festival is a two-day celebration that gives area residents and visitors from across the country an opportunity to enjoy active, aerobic outdoor events amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of the Mississippi River Valley.

The Fitness Festival is Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. As an added incentive, Viterbo employees receive a 10 percent discount on the online registration fees. Email Sonya Ganther at sdganther@viterbo.edu for the discount code and to join the Viterbo team. For more information, visit the Viterbo Corporate Challenge Web page at www.viterbo.edu/hr.aspx?id=63009 or the La Crosse Fitness Festival website at www.lacrossefitnessfestival.com.

Viterbo Honored for Distinctive Educational Excellence

Viterbo is now featured on CollegesofDistinction.com, a website dedicated to honoring schools nationwide for their excellence in student-focused higher education.

“Schools designated as “Colleges of Distinction” create well-rounded graduates and are among the very best in the country,” said Tyson Schritter, executive editor of Colleges of Distinction™.

Colleges and universities are nominated for participation in Colleges of Distinction™ through high school counselors’ recommendations as well as quantitative research.

Once nominated, the colleges are assessed using the Four Distinctions: student engagement, quality of teaching, vibrancy of the college community and success of graduates. Schools featured on CollegesofDistinction.com must meet minimum standards in each category.       

Viterbo was found to excel in all four distinctions and will receive a personal profile on the Colleges of Distinction™ website.

CollegeofDistinction.com offers dynamic college profiles and easy-to-use search tools for students, parents, and counselors. The website includes tips from high school guidance counselors, essays from college students, presidents and other members of campus communities.

“While each school is one of a kind, they all share a common theme: they are all a great place to get an education,” Schritter said.

To view Viterbo’s profile or to find more information about the online guide visit CollegeosfDistinction.com. For more information, contact Katie Creel, executive partner at kcreel@collegesofdistinction.com.

Health Corner

By Sue Danielson, health services

Fragrance Sensitivity 

It is hard to believe that something as innocent as scented perfume could cause a person to have health issues, but fragrance sensitivity—an allergic reaction or irritation to chemicals in certain products—is very real and, depending on the severity, can become problematic in the workplace.

Although perfumes and colognes are generally what come to mind when discussing fragrance sensitivity, fragrance is often added to a variety of daily used items including toiletries, cosmetics, lotions, air fresheners, cleaning products, and pesticides. 

Common reactions to exposure include: headaches, respiratory problems, asthma, nausea and vomiting, and skin irritations. Those people with asthma, allergies, or respiratory disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of fragranced products at levels that are much lower than what may cause problems for the general population.

The best way to prevent fragrance sensitivity is to remove, block, or avoid the offending substance. Discussing the fragrance sensitivity with people at work and at home can also help to limit exposure to other people’s fragrances. Remember:

• Personal fragrances affect some individuals the same way smoke affects others.
• Try to be courteous to others by using your best judgment when applying or using products with a fragrance.
• Sometimes people get desensitized to their own fragrance if they use it consistently. What you may think is a light fragrance may be too overpowering to others with fragrance sensitivities.
• Awareness can go a long way in creating a pleasant work environment for your coworkers.
  

For more information, contact health services at ext. 3806 or scdanielson@viterbo.edu.

Welcome Back

I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful holiday and a restful recess. Special thanks to staff and administrators who worked during the vacation period to perform vital operations and provide important services.

Please extend a warm welcome to new students and several new employees who join us these first weeks of January.

Viterbo will host a community-wide celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday evening, Jan. 21 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. My gratitude is extended to Keith Knutson for his leadership role in planning this event. Please plan to attend.

Rick Artman

President

Professional Development Opportunity Jan. 29–30

The Viterbo community is invited to participate in a professional development opportunity as Steve Kessel, training specialist with The Management Association, presents “Communicating with your Teammates” Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 2:30–4:30 p.m. in the Reinhart Center Board Room and Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 8–10 a.m. in the School of Nursing Building room 101.

Successful collaboration takes places when employees build a supportive climate with positive communication skills and constructive feedback skills, especially in those difficult situations and conversations that are sometimes needed. Through a variety of activities and discussions, participants in this professional development session will examine their roles as communicators and will learn to build a positive communication environment by giving constructive feedback and communicating in ways that minimize defensiveness in order to create better working relationships.

The event is sponsored by Viterbo's Professional Development Team. Register for one of the sessions with Sandra Bartel, communications and marketing, at ext. 3047 or skbartel@viterbo.edu.

Guest Recital Jan. 18

Enjoy a recital by baritone Jonathan Lasch with David Richardson, music, on piano at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.

Lasch is a student in D.M.A. voice program at the University of Michigan, and has been described by critics as possessing a voice of "arresting color and heft" and "resolutely strong" and "penetrating." He has participated in some of the best operatic training programs in the country.

The recital will feature works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Vaughn-Williams. It is free and open to the public.

Celebrate World View Week Jan. 21–25

The Viterbo community is invited to celebrate World View Week, an annual series of events celebrating diversity and learning more about other cultures.

Campus activities coordinates the week’s activities by collaborating with many other offices. Activities are also promoted and encouraged by the Viterbo’s Diversity Task Force. This year’s World View Week kicks off with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Activities are open to all employees and students. Some of the activities include: community service opportunities on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, film showing, 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama, Lunch n’ Learn, and crafts. For a complete schedule of activities, visit www.viterbo.edu/activities.

Technology Tidbits

by Sarah Bearbower, IIT

Did you know? 

VHS playback devices are getting hard to find for purchase. As our current VHS devices continue to age or stop functioning, it might not be possible to replace them. If you have a number of VHS tapes, now may be a good opportunity to consider transitioning away from VHS to dvd, Blue-ray, or streaming media. Viterbo’s media services can digitize your VHS collection to our streaming server. Contact Deb Siebenaler at djsiebenaler@viterbo.edu or ext. 3162 to learn more about your digitizing options.

We are currently discussing technology tools for portals, student retention and student recruitment. If you have a burning interest in any of these areas and want to be part of the research and development phase, contact Sarah Bearbower at sjbearbower@viterbo.edu or ext. 3860.