Weber Center for the Performing Arts Hosts Grand Opening Events

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

The response from benefactors, patrons, and the public has been terrific,” said President Rick Artman. “I’m very proud of the contributions that Viterbo has made to this project—as always, our role has been characterized by our professionalism and commitment to quality.”

The $8 million 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, the building allows stunning views of the Mississippi River from the lobby and third floor terrace.

The Weber Center for the Performing Arts is a unique collaborative venue designed to support the missions of Viterbo University and its partner, La Crosse Community Theatre, while contributing to the vitality of the downtown arts district. Viterbo opens its first show, A Chorus Line, at the Weber Center beginning Friday, April 19.

Viterbo has a strong reputation for collaboration. In 2005, Viterbo became the first college or university in the U.S. to partner with a Boys and Girls Club to construct a shared building on campus, the Amie L. Mathy Center for Recreation and Education. Likewise, the Weber Center for the Performing Arts, which is a shared facility, is the first collaboration of its kind between a university and a community theatre organization.

“The bold vision of the Franciscan Sisters to contruct the magnificent Fine Arts Center 41 years ago transformed a small college,” Artman said. “The leap of faith dramatically increased the opportunities for cultural enrichment and entertainment for people of all ages in the Coulee Region. The Weber Center for the Performing Arts will have a similar effect.”

More information may also be found at WeberCenterForThePerformingArts.org.

Doing Good Work

Laura Lee and Kirsten Gabriel were two of several members of the Viterbo community to perform service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 21. The day of service was organized by campus activities. Lee and Gabriel helped out in the Place of Grace pantry.

Meet Eric Weinberg

Name: Eric Weinberg

Position: Website developer/ programmer                    

Education background: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and History, Ph.D. in History

Previous employer and position/Past experience as related to current position: I was a website developer at the University of Kentucky for nine years. Prior to this, I was a programmer at Trane Company for four years. I also worked as teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky and Kent State University in their history departments, and taught classes at the University of Kentucky.

Hometown: La Crosse                                 

Why did you choose Viterbo as your next employer? Growing up in La Crosse, I understood the stellar reputation of the university. It was cordial, friendly, and demonstrated integrity. It also felt like a family. During the interview process, I became even more impressed. I realized that Viterbo was a place which I would love to be a part.

Of the five Viterbo values, which resonates with you most and why? Although all the values are important to me, I believe that integrity undergirds all values. Integrity is also important because too often values are discussed and then pushed aside. This is clearly not the case with Viterbo, and I feel that by embracing integrity it allows all of the values to flourish. 

Hobbies: I enjoy running, music, reading, and writing.

Community Celebration

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration keynote speaker Andre Johnson of the Memphis Theological Seminary gets ready for his live interview with WKBT Channel 8's Lou Hillman before the event Jan. 21.

Workforce Career and Internship Fair

The Workforce Career and Internship Fair for students attending Wisconsin private colleges and universities will be held at Marquette University in Milwaukee Thursday, Feb. 21 from 3–7 p.m.

The career services office is offering a free bus ride to the fair for the first 40 students to register. The bus will leave campus at noon and return at midnight. To register, students should visit the career services office in Murphy Center room 374 or call ext. 3828. Completed travel waivers and medical forms must be submitted to the career services office by Friday, Feb. 15 if students wish to ride the bus.

Students attending the fair will have the opportunity to meet representatives from over 100 organizations interested in employees or interns from private institutions. Students should plan to bring several employer-ready resumes and to approach the interactions with potential employers as screening interviews. Details about the fair and a list of recruiters attending the fair are available at www.wipccc.org/student.shtml.

Students needing assistance with resumes should attend one of the upcoming Resume Assistance Sessions, which will be held in Murphy Center room 348 on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. and in Murphy Center room 378 on Thursday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. Students should register at least one day in advance by visiting the career services office or calling 608-796-3828.

Leadership at Noon

Ruth Wiseman, president and CEO of Chileda Institute, answers a few questions from reporter Pat Anderson after her Leadership at Noon presentation Jan. 22. Read the article in the La Crosse Tribune.

Shrek the Musical Feb. 7

Everyone’s favorite ogre will come to life on the Fine Arts Center stage with Shrek the Musical at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film that started the Shrek phenomenon, Shrek the Musical features a terrific score of 19 new songs, big laughs, great dancing, and breathtaking scenery. It is part romance, part twisted fairy tale, and all irreverent fun for everyone.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre, not a handsome prince, shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who is never quiet, a villain with a short temper, and more than a dozen fairy tale misfits, and you have a mess that calls for a real hero…Shrek.

Shrek the Musical is presented by NETworks Presenations, LLC, which has produced and managed over 50 touring productions in the U.S. and internationally since 1995. It is sponsored by Moore Dental and La Crosse Graphics and also in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin. Holiday Inn & Suites is the hotel sponsor and Soft Rock 101.1 FM KHME is the media sponsor.

Tickets are $39 for upper balcony seating. For more information or to order tickets, contact the box office at ext. 3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets. 

From the President

Board of Trustees 

The Viterbo Board of Trustees will meet on campus Monday, Jan. 28. The action items for the board will include two important matters. The first is the approval of the guidelines that frame the operating budget for the next fiscal year, including rates for tuition, fees, room and board. The final approval of the operating budget takes place in September after enrollment figures are firm. The second action item is the adoption of a set of financial protocols that will serve to strengthen Viterbo’s long-term financial health. These protocols deal with funding levels necessary to maintain the physical plant, thresholds for the amount of funding that should be held in the temporarily restricted portion of the endowment, and the appropriate level of funding that should be set aside annually for contingencies. Viterbo has a history of sound fiscal discipline (35 years of balanced budgets); these protocols provide additional guidelines to ensure long term fiscal strength.

Glena Temple will lead a presentation and discussion on the topic of “Transforming Learning through Emerging Technologies: Threats and Opportunities.” Following the board meeting, trustees will dine with members of the faculty holding the rank of professor.

If you see the trustees on campus, please extend a warm greeting and your gratitude for their support and service.

Weber Center for the Performing Arts 

During the semester recess, the board of directors of the new performing arts center approved the naming of the new center as “Weber Center for the Performing Arts.” The name honors trustee Don Weber, his wife Roxanne, and the Weber family for their magnanimous support for this collaborative venture between Viterbo and the La Crosse Community Theatre. The Weber Center opened during the weekend of Jan. 18–20, with a special event for benefactors on Friday, a Red Carpet Premier Gala on Saturday, and an Open House on Sunday that attracted hundreds of visitors. Viterbo is already holding theatre classes in the center and Viterbo’s inaugural production will be A Chorus Line in April. I encourage you to order your tickets now.

Many departments and individuals contributed significant time and effort in making the weekend festivities at the Weber Center a great success. I’m grateful to the following: institutional advancement, communications and marketing, students and faculty in the music department and theatre and music theatre department, 9th Street Singers, and the Fine Arts Center staff.

Rick Artman

President

Campus Ministry

By Emilio Alvarez

Welcome to (Extra) Ordinary Time: Carnival Season 

We are in the midst of a season not commonly talked about by many people—it’s Carnival time. Many people celebrate Carnival only on the day before Ash Wednesday (commonly referred to as Mardi Gras) and the start of Lent. However, Carnival is traditionally an entire “season,” from the end of Christmas (Epiphany) to the start of Lent (Ash Wednesday). Carnival is a time to celebrate that Jesus Christ, our savior, came into the world. It is a time to feast and a time to have a special indulgence in order to help you celebrate better. It is a time of unity throughout all humanity for we all have the same needs: food, drink, shelter, etc. Indulgences (in moderation) can provide a great reminder of this celebration. For as it states in Ecclesiastes (2:24), “There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment, for these are from the hand of God.”

Service in Our Community 

The La Crosse Warming Shelter is looking for volunteers. Campus ministry is in charge of coordinating volunteer efforts for Sunday nights. The shelter is organized by Catholic Charities and works with several groups and organizations to provide up to 15 people a night a free meal and a warm place to stay. If you are interested in learning more, contact Emilio Alvarez.
 

Opening Reception

An exhibit featuring the art of studnets Philip Hanner, Rachel Hoscheit, and Julia Opalinski opened in the Viterbo University Gallery Jan. 23. Photo by Jessica Schurmann.

Farewell Reception for
Betty Pfaff Jan. 30

A farewell reception for Betty Pfaff, education, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 2–4 p.m. in the Murphy Center Krajewski Lounge (room 434). Her last day at Viterbo will be Thursday, Jan. 31. Visit anytime for cake, punch, and to wish her well.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Andrew Hamilton, history, and wife Krista, the proud parents of twins Claudia Nell and Alec James, who were born Monday, Jan. 21. Claudia was born at 9:28 a.m. weighing six pounds and two ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long. Alec was born at 9:29 a.m. weighing six pounds and five ounces and measuring 20 inches long.

Health Care Expansion Forum Tonight

An informational forum regarding the expansion of Medicaid (BadgerCare) in Wisconsin will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the School of Nursing Building Collins Auditorium.

The event is free and open to the public. It is hosted by AMOS, Inc., the League of Women Voters of La Crosse, Citizens Action Wisconsin, and the Viterbo School of Nursing.

Encourage Students to Make Their Submissions to Touchstone

Submissions are now being accepted for Touchstone, Viterbo’s annual literary and art publication. The deadline is Monday, Feb. 4.

This year, Touchstone will look a little different. The Publication Board recently approved changing the publication’s printing practices and it will now be printed in an environmentally sustainable manner and will feature a new layout and design.

Submissions or questions should be sent to touchstone@viterbo.edu.

Kudos to...

The many Viterbo students and employees who helped with the opening events at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 18–20. The facility and events generated a great response from benefactors, patrons, and the public.

Special Photo Exhibit Tuesday

Take a moving and powerful photographic journey through the history of the Palestinian people by attending a special exhibit Tuesday, Jan. 29 in the Fine Arts Center Lobby.

The photo exhibit is being held in conjunction with the documentary My Neighborhood, which will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre. The photo exhibit is available for viewing from 3–7 p.m. and then following the documentary until 8:30 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public.