Student Ready to Help Fellow Veterans

Veterans needing a little help adjusting to life as a student don’t need to look any further than the Student Development Center and Scott Nieman.

Nieman has succeeded Mark Braatz as the Veteran Services Student Point of Contact.

“I’m very interested in helping people,” Nieman said. “This is a great way for me to help fellow veterans smooth over any rough spots.”

A native of La Crescent, Minn., and now a resident of Onalaska, Nieman served four years in the U.S. Army Infantry. He spent two years in Germany and 15 months in Baghdad where he earned his Combat Infantry Badge. Nieman, 24, is a junior criminal justice major at Viterbo.

His many duties:

• Refer military, veteran, and reserve students to various campus offices and off-campus agencies.
• Meet with and aid military, veteran, and reserve students applying for various programs, services and benefits.
• Assist military, veteran, and reserve students with transition to the university and family readjustment.
• Communicate with military, veteran, and reserve students, college personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns.
• Assist the admission office with tours for students with military, veteran, or reserve status.
• Serve as a liaison between military, veteran, and reserve students and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Create and distribute a listing of services and agencies helpful to military, veteran, and reserve students.

Veterans add a great deal to the campus experience for all students, Nieman said.

“Many students haven’t been outside of their small town before moving away to college,” he said. “Veterans have been across the world, so we have a unique perspective and life experience.”

Nieman stays very busy, working as a firearms instructor and in firearm sales at Gander Mountain in Onalaska, in addition to being a student and the Veteran Services Student Point of Contact. He and his wife, Brynn, have a two-year-old daughter, Scarlett.

Nieman can be reached at ext. 3828 or sniema05894@viterbo.edu. His office hours (SDC 5) are Monday and Friday, 12:30–2:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 2–5 p.m.; and from 5–6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Class is Out

Deb Daehn-Zellmer and social work students enjoyed the beautiful weather while holding class on the patio outside Brophy Center Sept. 12. 

Meet Cristina Kovacs

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

Name: Ana Cristina Kovacs 

Position: Administrative assistant, institutional advancement 

Education background: Business administration 

Previous employer and position: I spent 10 years working in the hospitality industry, mostly with the Hilton Hotel chain, before joining the higher education system. Prior to working at Viterbo, I was the senior executive secretary in the community engagement office at Florida Atlantic University. 

Hometown: Brasov, Romania 

Of the five Viterbo values, which resonates with you most and why? Hospitality—The act of opening one’s heart and home, making new friends, living new experiences while creating lifelong memories. 

Hobbies: Travel, outdoor activities, and sports 

Unique fact about you: I’m a former athlete on Romania’s downhill ski team, having competed in national and international competitions. 

Anything about your family you would like to share: My husband, Attila, is an assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s exercise science department. Our son, Stefan, has just started first grade.

SDC Open House

Lesley Stugelmayer, counseling services, talks with Ryan Thibodeau, Rob Forget, and Eric Schmidt, admission, during the Student Development Center Open House Sept. 10.

President's Column

Enrollment Report 

Please take note of the fall semester enrollment report (pdf) as of census date Sept. 7. In summary, the enrollment of new students, full-time undergraduates, total undergraduates, and total graduates is down from last fall and below budget projections. A few bright spots include the increase to a record number of students living on campus and an increase in on-campus graduate programs.

Though the 2012–13 fiscal year will be one of constrained resources, I assure you the university is in sound fiscal condition and will remain so.

New Banners 

Thanks to Deb Kappmeyer, communications and marketing, for her continued artistry in refreshing the banners displaying Viterbo’s five core values. New faces grace the images and I trust you will agree the banners nicely illustrate Viterbo’s core values. The banners have been placed along Eighth Street thereby extending the values’ theme in front of Clare Apartments.  

Rick Artman

President

Campus Ministry

By Emilio Alvarez 

Viterbo Remembers 

The bells of San Damiano Chapel tolled at the respective times of the various tragedies that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. At noon, a commemorative Mass was celebrated in memory of all those who lost their lives on that day. Father Mychal Judge, a Franciscan of the Holy Name Province (New York) was among the first listed casualties. The spirit of servant leadership inspired this friar who gave his life for others just minutes before the fall of the North Tower. He was chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. 

Opening of the Year of Faith 

On Thursday, Oct. 11, the Year of Faith will be inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. An evening prayer service will also be celebrated at San Damiano Chapel Oct. 11 as Viterbo joins the world in welcoming this Year of Faith. Campus ministry will focus on how St. Francis of Assisi views the faith. Details will be announced soon. 

Preparing for the Feast of St. Francis  

In preparation for the Feast of St. Francis, join the Viterbo community at the following events: 

Wednesday, Oct. 3 

6:30 p.m. Transitus of St. Francis at Maria Angelorum Chapel at St. Rose Convent 

Thursday, Oct. 4 

10:40 a.m. Prelude Music by the Concert Choir and 9th Street Singers 

11 a.m. St. Francis Day Mass at Maria Angelorum

11 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Buffet lunch in Marian Hall Dining Room. Free tickets are available to employees and students (not on a meal plan) at the Student Development Center reception desk. 

5 p.m. Pet Blessing in Assisi Courtyard near Dancing Francis 

6 p.m. Assisi Fire (bonfire surrounding Dancing Francis)

Updates will follow in the Sept. 30 Connections. 

Join us for Supper and Scripture 

Everyone is welcome for free food, community, and the word of God. During Supper and Scripture, the Viterbo community gathers together in Brophy Center room 123 for a social and food followed by the Mass readings (Old Testament reading, New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading) and reflections by the friars, students, and staff. Join in making our community a welcoming place Monday nights at 5 p.m.

Like Us 

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

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

Visiting Artist

Karina Cutler-Lake, right, speaks with a student during an artist workshop Sept. 12. An exhibit featuring Cutler-Lake’s work opened that evening in the Viterbo University Gallery.

Constitution Day Presentation Sept. 19

Keith Knutson and Michael Smuksta, history, will present “Declaring War and the Constitution” in honor of Constitution Day at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 in Reinhart Center room 127.

The Viterbo community is invited to attend. The presentation will last approximately 40 minutes and will be a good primer for decorated Vietnam War veteran and prisoner of war Captain Charles Plumb’s presentation, “Who Packs Your Parachute?” at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre. Plumb’s presentation is part of the Reinhart Center for Ethics in Leadership’s fall lecture series.
 

A New Look

Banners highlighting Viterbo’s core values were recently installed throughout campus. The student on this banner is Kelsey Pruitt.

Campaign Season Reminder

The campaign season is coming into full swing. Employees are reminded to refrain from using university email and other resources to promote individual political candidates/fundraisers.

While no policy can provide comprehensive guidance, see page 538 in the employee handbook (pdf) for additional information regarding on-campus political activity or contact Pat Kerrigan, communications and marketing, at ext. 3041 or pgkerrigan@viterbo.edu with questions.

Vatican II Series at FSC

The Franciscan Spirituality Center will present a four-week series honoring the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, “Vatican II: 50 Years of Hope and Renewal.”

The sessions will be held Thursdays from 6:30–8 p.m. Oct. 18–Nov. 8. The series will be hosted by Tom Thibodeau and will include guests Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, Rev. Mark Pierce, and Rev. Robert Cook.

Cost of the program is $35 for four sessions or $10 per session. For more information and to register, visit www.FSC.org.