Welcome Back Bash

Students enjoyed themselves as they learned more about the university and the La Crosse community at the Welcome Back Bash Aug. 30 in the Mathy Center. The event was hosted by campus activities, service learning, and the Student Government Association. Check out more photos from the popular event.
 

Reinhart Center Commons Transformed

Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) were very interested in increasing the amount of study lounge space on campus.

The newly renovated Reinhart Center Commons Study Lounge is the happy result.

“I’m delighted with the new lounge,” said Diane Brimmer, vice president for student development. “The space is beautiful. The reaction from everyone—new students, returning students, and employees—has been very, very positive. The SGA has turned an underutilized space into a great place for study, relaxation, and conversation.”

When the Student Union was renovated a few years ago, student use significantly increased. The same principle was applied to the concern for study lounge space, especially for commuter students. The use of the space was approved by the university, and a committee comprised largely of students was formed to determine the details.

“The design, colors, and finishes were all selected by the student committee,” Brimmer said.

The cost of the project was $48,000, which was allocated by the SGA and paid for with student activity fees. More than 60 students can comfortably use the space at one time.

“Attractive places for informal student interaction help to improve the quality of student life on any campus,” Brimmer said.

Surprise!

Doreen Brostrom (pictured with husband Dick), a longtime member of the nursing faculty (1975–93), was just informed that her children have arranged to have a room in the School of Nursing building named in her honor.

Doreen originally returned to campus thinking she would simply be touring the new facility. Instead, nearly 40 members of her family, friends, and colleagues gathered for the surprise, sharing with her that room 288, the Viterbo Student Nurses Association Office, will carry her name.

Upon retiring from Viterbo, the Brostroms, who now live in Albuquerque, have been actively involved in a variety of volunteer ministries directed at serving the poor and disenfranchised. The visit to Viterbo also had special significance to the siblings. Five of the Brostrom children—Dick, Jeff, John, Sue, and Mary—attended Viterbo, in addition to a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law.

Helping Hand

Alexis Reget helped a family move their freshman student into a residence hall Aug. 24. Reget was one of 44 Orientation Leaders who helped with V-Hawk Orientation Days Aug. 24–26. “The Orientation Leaders did a fabulous job helping new freshmen and transfer students learn and adjust to life at Viterbo,” said Kari Reyburn, campus activities and orientation. “Thank you also to the all of the offices who helped make the weekend great.” Check out more photos from Move-in Day.
 

President's Column

The cabinet and deans join me in extending sincere gratitude for your contributions of time and talent toward a successful opening of the new academic year. A great number of new undergraduate and graduate students, parents and family members, new faculty, and new staff have commented on and thanked me and others for the Franciscan hospitality extended to them during these first weeks of the semester. Viterbo’s values are lived and palpable—thank you.

My PowerPoint presentation for the university forum on Aug. 21 is posted on the president’s Web page.

Enrollment census date is Friday, Sept. 7. The official enrollment report will be published thereafter in Connections.

Rick Artman

President

Campus Ministry

By Emilio Alvarez

Off to a Great Start 

With the new school year underway, students were anxious to get back into the groove of things. Campus ministry started off the first week of the new semester with a crowded liturgy at 11 a.m. in San Damiano Chapel. Later that night after the 6 p.m. liturgy, students had a great pizza party outside the chapel that included God, fellowship, food, and fun. Throughout the rest of the week campus ministry had events like Supper and Scripture, a hot dog cookout, and Taize Prayer. Students had a great time as they gathered for prayer and fellowship.

This week, campus ministry will begin something new. Taking their lead from the FSPA and their commitment to perpetual adoration, campus ministry will have eucharistic adoration and confession on Wednesday nights from 7:30–8:30 p.m. in San Damiano Chapel. All are welcome.

Meet and Greet with the Students 

If you are interested in getting together with students for a night of “Meet the Staff/Faculty,” email me at ebalvarez@viterbo.edu. The night will consist of a social with food followed by an informal introduction of yourself with general questions and answers. This is a great way to interact with the students. (Times and dates are to be determined.)

Feast of St. Rose of Viterbo  

Join campus ministry and the St. Francis Choir on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 5:15 p.m. in San Damiano Chapel for a special Mass of the Holy Spirit for the Feast of St. Rose of Viterbo. For more information, contact me at ebalvarez@viterbo.edu.

Who was St. Rose of Viterbo? 

Rose achieved sainthood in only 18 years of life. Even as a child, Rose had a great desire to pray and to aid the poor. While still very young, she began a life of penance in her parents’ house. She was as generous to the poor as she was strict with herself. At the age of 10, she became a Secular Franciscan and soon began preaching in the streets about sin and the sufferings of Jesus.

Viterbo, her native city, was then in revolt against the Pope. When Rose took the Pope’s side against the emperor, she and her family were exiled from the city. When the Pope’s supporters were victorious in Viterbo, Rose was allowed to return. Her attempt at age 15 to found a religious community failed, and she returned to a life of prayer and penance in her father’s home, where she died in 1251. Rose was canonized in 1457. Courtesy of www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1128. 

Like Us 

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ViterboCM and www.facebook.com/SanDamianoChapel and follow our new blog for campus ministry at www.viterbosandalprints.wordpress.com.

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

No Place Like Home

Lauren Busse and Erin Butzler were the winners of the admission office’s dorm room contest. Their room was selected as a “show room” for campus tours. Both will receive a gift card to a business of their choice.

Chamber Music Series Opens Sept. 9 with Points on Jazz

The Viterbo One-of-a-Kind Chamber Music Series will open with an afternoon of jazz favorites by George Gershwin and Dave Brubeck at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.

Points on Jazz will feature Viterbo faculty member and pianist Mary Ellen Haupert, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire faculty member and pianist Owen Lovell, and New York-based pianist Dave Marck.

Haupert and Lovell will perform Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Brubeck’s Points on Jazz, both written for two pianos–four hands. Marck will perform other favorites by both Gershwin and Brubeck.

The Chamber Music Series is general admission seating. Visit the box office for tickets.
 

Library's Learning and Fellowship Series Begins Sept. 13

The library’s Learning and Fellowship Series returns at noon Thursday, Sept. 13 in the Learning Commons (Murphy Center 248) with “Welcome to VitCat: One-stop Searching for Academic Resources.”

The presentation will be given by Jennifer Nelson. All employees are invited to attend and are welcome to bring their lunch.

Participants are asked to RSVP to jnnelson@viterbo.edu.
 

Teaching in Afghanistan

Suzette (Kioshi) Nelson ’80 returned to her alma mater Aug. 30 to talk to several education classes about her amazing experiences teaching English to soldiers in the Afghan National Army in Afghanistan. Nelson is now on her way back to Guam where she is a middle school teacher with the Department of Defense Education Activity.
 

FSC to Host Intentional Parenting Series

The Franciscan Spirituality Center will host a monthly “Intentional Parenting Series” from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Thursdays from Sept. 13–March 14.

Included as presenters are Emily Dykman, religious studies and philosophy, who will present “Family Spirituality” Nov. 15 and Tom Roberts, psychology adjunct faculty, who will present “Parenting with Sanity: Finding Balance.”

There will not be an event in December. Cost is $10 per session or $50 for all six sessions. For more information or to register, visit www.FSCenter.org.