A Precious Gift

Ryan Thibodeau, admission, was one of 50 Viterbo community members to donate blood at the BloodCenter of Wisconsin blood drive Oct. 10. The drive raised 46 whole blood units, two double red blood cell units, and two platelet/red blood cell combination units. The drive was sponsored by health services and the Viterbo Student Nurses Association.

Three Viterbo "Outstanding Women" to be Honored by YWCA

Trustee Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA, faculty member Marlene Fisher, and student Jocelyn Lutes are three of eight individuals who will be honored at the YWCA Tribute to Outstanding Women Thursday, Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the La Crosse Center South Ballroom.

Sr. Gschwind, a current university trustee who recently concluded an eight-year term as chair, was chosen for the honor under the category of non-profit. She remains active in Rotary and numerous other organizations. She also serves on the La Crosse Performing Arts Center Board as vice president.

Fisher, an associate professor in sociology, social work, and criminal justice, has taught at Viterbo for 15 years and served on the YWCA board for six years, including two as president. She is honored for her commitment in the category of justice, a pursuit that has defined her service at Viterbo.
 

Lutes, selected as a College Young Woman of Tomorrow, is a senior pursuing a double major in biopsychology and Spanish. She is president of Student Organization Advocating Human Rights and has worked extensively to promote social justice and human rights issues.

For information about attending the event, call 608-781-2783.

United Way Campaign Kick-off Tuesday

Enjoy treats and refreshments and the chance to win a door prize at Viterbo’s United Way Campaign kick-off event from 3–4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 in the Fine Arts Center Hospitality Suite.

“All employees are encouraged to give from the heart knowing that the United Way is making a difference with your dollars,” said Sonya Ganther, human resources, chair of the Viterbo United Way Campaign committee.

Last week, employees received an invitation to join the United Way Employee Campaign that included a pledge form to make a donation to the Great Rivers United Way. The Great Rivers United Way has a goal to raise $2,050,000 this year to benefit many of the longstanding agencies in the community. The area Boys and Girls Clubs, the American Red Cross, Credit Counseling of La Crosse, WAFER, The Parenting Place, Salvation Army and Family and Children’s Center are just a few of the partnering agencies that have united together to improve lives and strengthen our communities. In all, 28 agencies are certified to receive your 2013 gift. Last year, 23 percent of Viterbo employees participated in the employee campaign, raising over $10,700.

Employees unable to attend the kick-off event are asked to return their pledge form to the human resources office by Wednesday, Oct. 31. Employees who return their pledge forms by the Oct. 16 event will be eligible for the door prizes.

“Thank you for your support of the United Way,” Ganther said.

Author and Charitable Foundation Expert to Present "Creating Social Capital" Oct. 23

Longtime CEO and president of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and accomplished author and lecturer Lewis Feldstein will present “Creating Social Capital” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.

Feldstein and Robert Putnam of Harvard University co-authored Better Together: Restoring the American Community in 2003. The book analyzes the grassroots development of civic engagement in the U.S. and provides a positive message with stories of community renewal and social activism.

Under Feldstein’s leadership from 1986–2010, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation became one of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in northern New England, with assets growing from $25 million to $375 million by the end of 2008. He has also played a key role in building community foundations across Europe. For seven years, he worked on the World Bank leadership team as the bank invested in community foundations and private philanthropy in the developing world. The NonProfit Times has listed Feldstein among the Top 50 nonprofit executives.

Feldstein holds honorary doctorates from seven universities. He also has served as the provost of the Antioch University New England Graduate School, in senior staff positions for former New York City Mayor John Lindsay, and has worked with the civil rights movement in Mississippi.

This presentation is part of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership’s Fall Lecture Series and is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Association. It is free and open to the public. For a full schedule of Ethics Institute events, visit www.viterbo.edu/ethics.

Celebration of Faculty Scholarship

Matthew Bersagel Braley and Mary Ellen Stolder examine the work of their colleagues at the annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship event Oct. 5.

Meet Beth Franklin

Name: Beth Franklin

Position: Arts Education Coordinator, Fine Arts Center

Education background: Bachelor of Arts in English Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Previous employer and position/Past experience as related to current position: Middle school English teacher in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District from 2007–11 and a high school English teacher in the Eau Claire Area School District from 2000–07.

Hometown: Marshfield

Why did you choose Viterbo as your next employer? My position in the Fine Arts Center allows me to work with both teachers and students as they extend their classrooms into the community. Providing young people with out-of-classroom experiences is invaluable. Teachers will link classroom content with the performances they see here, and assisting with that process is rewarding.

Hobbies: Gardening

Anything about your family you would like to share: We (husband, two children, and I) relocated to La Crosse last year.

Note: Newer employees will be introduced to the Viterbo community periodically in Connections.
 

President's Column

Board of Trustees Meeting

The following are the actions taken by the Board of Trustees at its fall meeting Oct. 8.

• Accepted the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2011–12. The report was an unqualified opinion (the best kind) and there were no findings of deficiencies or material weaknesses in financial operations or in compliance with federal programs. Kudos to our team in the business and financial aid offices. As is Viterbo’s practice, the audit report will be placed on library reserve for interested parties.

• Approved the adjustments to the operating budget for the current fiscal year. As previously reported, the adjustment of income and expenses of about $1.5 million was due to the projected shortfall in tuition revenues.
   
• Awarded tenure to Anthony Gerig, assistant professor of physics, and Andrew Hamilton, associate professor of history. Congratulations!
   
• Approved the resolution to support the university with 100 percent participation in the Annual Trustees Opportunity Fund, with a goal for contributing $200,000 this year. (Grant requests from the opportunity fund are being reviewed as they are submitted. See the website for the application process).

In other trustee activities, Pat Kerrigan and Paul Wilhelmson presented the continuing education session on social media. After lunch, the trustees toured Clare Apartments, the Dahl School of Business, and the new study lounge in the Reinhart Center Commons. The trustees were greatly impressed with the quality of these facilities and are very proud of the beauty of the campus. Following the board meeting, trustees were joined for dinner by employees who received the 2012 Rose Awards. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the trustees meeting.

United Way 

The official kick-off of Viterbo’s United Way Campaign will take place Tuesday, Oct. 16. Return your pledge forms or make your donation between 3–4 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Hospitality Suite. Thank you for your generosity and support for those of our community in the greatest need.

Rick Artman

President

Campus Ministry

This past month, campus ministry provided students with an exciting retreat opportunity known as the Busy Student Retreat. This retreat allowed students to take a deep breath in the midst of a busy semester. The retreat coincided with our St. Francis of Assisi celebrations, and the spirit of Francis was particularly present in the air. With Francis on the students’ minds and with wonderful spiritual directors to guide them, the students completed the retreat with a new perspective on their lives. And, they were given a few tools to help them continue along the journey.

This reflection written by Busy Student Retreat participant Mandy Jo Mlsna summarizes the benefits students received from the retreat:

“When I first learned we were doing a busy student retreat, I was excited. I was a sophomore the last time we held one at Viterbo and I had learned a lot when participating. However, as it drew closer and closer, I was nervous that I was not going to have time to be able to participate fully in this unique experience. I understand that’s the point-busy students participating in a retreat specifically for them, but my nerves were still quite present.

Then I met with my spiritual director and each and every day we talked for a solid 30-45 minutes. I was incredibly thankful for her wisdom and guidance in listening to me and the struggles that accompany a college senior. With her guidance, I was able to see how trying to live more simplistically is a way of prayer. She also encouraged me to find God in the little things—doing the dishes, cleaning the clutter out of my life, etc. It was a truly worthwhile experience and helped me to see that God is everywhere if we just take a moment to stop and listen.”

Campus ministry is looking for employee chaperones for Spring Break service trips March 3–9. Contact Emilio Alvarez for more information.

Follow our Blog at www.viterbosandalprints.wordpress.com  

The schedule of Mass times at San Damiano Chapel can be found at www.viterbo.edu/ministry.

Painting the Campus Purple

The Viterbo campus was “painted purple” last week to raise awareness about cancer prevention, healthy living, and the annual Relay for Life event in April. The event was sponsored by Viterbo Colleges Against Cancer.

Get Your Flu Shot

Health Services will offer Influenza vaccine to students and staff on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, Oct. 17 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Student Development Center
• Wednesday, Oct. 17 4–6:30 p.m. in the Student Union
• Thursday, Oct. 18 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Nursing Building Foyer
• Wednesday, Oct. 24 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in the Student Union

Flu shots for employees will cost $12 and students can get them for free compliments of the Student Government Association. If you are unable to come during one of the clinic times, contact Sue Danielson for an individual appointment at 608-796-3806 or scdanielson@viterbo.edu.

"Mental Health in the Global Context" Oct. 18

The Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice will host “Mental Health in the Global Context: Issues Impacting Immigrant Survivors of Violence” from 4–5:20 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 in the Dahl School of Business room 122. 

Kulsum Ameji, attorney and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, will facilitate an interactive workshop based on case studies. Cultural competency, diversity, cross-cultural communication, cultural stigma against mental health services, and other topics will be addressed. The Viterbo community is welcome to attend.

Kudos to...

Raintry Salk, business, and Melissa Klein '11, who presented their work on “Presidential Succession Planning: A Qualitative Study in Private Higher Education” at the Midwest Academy of Management Conference in Itasca, Ill., Oct 5. Their paper received the conference’s “best paper” award and will be fast-tracked to publication in the Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies.

Kem Gambrell, business, and a number of her colleagues from other institutions, who presented “Advancing the Study of Leaders and Leadership to the Development Edge” at the Midwest Academy of Management Conference in Itasca, Ill., Oct 5.

Silvana Richardson, nursing, who was featured in the article “New School of Nursing Facility Exceeds Expectations” in the October issue of NursingMatters.

Michael Ranscht, Fine Arts Center, who was featured in the article “The Arts in Academia: Universities Play Major Role in Local Arts Scene” in the Oct. 7 issue of the La Crosse Tribune.

Challenges and Hope in Latin America Presentation Today

Marie Des Jarlais, FSPA, will present “Challenges and Hope in Latin America: El Salvador and Chiapas, Mexico” at 12:20 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 in Murphy Center 432.

The event is sponsored by world languages and cultures, Student Government Association, Spanish club, and Student Organization Advocating for Human Rights.