Connections
A Newsletter for the Viterbo College Community
Vol. 12 No. 9 October 19, 1998
Thanks, Reinharts
The following are excerpts from Dr. Medland’s comments at the Monday press conference held in the FAC lobby:
I am pleased to announce with great joy and deep appreciation that the D.B. and Marjorie A. Reinhart Family Foundation has gifted—it takes my breath away every time I say it—has gifted $3 million to “Vision 2005: A Renaissance for Living and Learning in the 21st Century.”
No words can adequately express our joy, excitement, and gratitude for this extraordinary gift. It is like a miracle to us, almost beyond our comprehension.
This exceedingly generous gift is truly a defining moment in the history of our college. We are appreciative to Marjorie Reinhart, corporate CEO and a woman of incredible faith and courage, and to the Reinhart Family Foundation. It is truly reassuring to know that families such as the Reinharts place such significance on ethics and moral values which had been a cornerstone of our Viterbo heritage and is very much emphasized in Vision 2005. The gift we announce today from the D.B. and Marjorie A. Reinhart Family Foundation culminates a 30-year relationship between the Reinhart family and Viterbo College.…
…Rhiny considered his greatest assets to be his family, his faith, and his community. He was a quiet leader, but his presence assured the success of many initiatives and organizations. Most of all, he promoted and lived a life of integrity. Ethics was the foundation of his personal and professional life. He cared deeply about people—friends and business associates alike.…
In 1997, approximately a year after his death on April 13, 1996, friends and business associates of Rhiny established the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership, with an estimated half million dollar endowment. Both of Rhiny and Marge’s daughters, Nancy Reinhart Hengel and Patty Reinhart Harrison, are alumni of this college, and Nancy served on our Board of Directors. Their son Rob was a member of our Board of Advisors from 1989-1993.…
Thanks to the Reinhart Family Foundation, the plans associated with “Vision 2005” have been given a tremendous boost; however, there is much more. We need to build our endowment which is not adequate, provide continuing financial support for our students, enhance our faculty and program development, and continue efforts to make the Viterbo campus an aesthetically pleasing environment where students will want to come to live and to learn.
Rhiny loved a challenge, and we fully intend to challenge ourselves to make full use of this gift. We accept this gift as a challenge to others to help us fulfill our potential. During the upcoming year, we will be assessing where best to use this gift to advance Vision 2005, which literally is our bridge to the new millennium.
Again, on behalf of all of us here gathered, (Board of Directors, faculty, staff and especially our students), I want to express our deep appreciation to Marge Reinhart and the Reinhart Family—Nancy, Patty, Rob and John. Thanks ever so much. This is truly awesome.
From Mrs. Marjorie Reinhart
“My husband was a person who placed great value in his faith, in his integrity, and in the well being of his family, friends and business associates. He would very much support efforts of this very fine college in promoting ethics in leadership and the many excellent projects Viterbo is undertaking as part of ‘Vision 2005.’
“The Reinhart family has had an interest and investment in Viterbo’s health and development for a very long time. The announcement today results from this 30-plus year relationship with the college. It is our hope that Viterbo remains unique in offering students an exceptional value-based education which emphasizes faith, service, and leadership, and an education in which ethical decision-making is at the core.”
Ron Kind to visit Viterbo TODAY!
Congressman Ron Kind will be delivering an address for Keith Knutson’s Wisconsin History class at 3:10 p.m. TODAY, Mon. Oct. 19, in the FAC Recital Hall. The entire Viterbo community is welcome to attend.
Memos only
From: Todd Ericson
To: Faculty, Staff, and Administrators
Re: ARAMARK contract
As part of its contract with ARAMARK for campus dining, Viterbo College has a commitment to utilize ARAMARK for its catering, parties, and other events for which food and beverages will be provided. While ARAMARK provides the services, revenue from these events reverts back to Viterbo College. Please keep this arrangement in mind when planning for any special events. The only exception to this policy is the occasional departmental or office potluck gathering, or similar event. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Bits and pieces
Casual Dress Day
Oct. 23 Coulee Region Literacy Council.
Employee Assistance Center (EAC) is for all Viterbo employees and their families. For more information contact Franciscan-Skemp (608) 791-9530, (800) 493-3960.
24 hour Security needs call x3911.
Class cancellations: Teacher class cancellation line: 796-3080 or 796-3190.
Students call for class cancellations: 796-3200.
Connections is published weekly by the Public Relations office. The next issue will be published Mon., Oct. 26 with a deadline of noon on Thurs., Oct. 22. Send your announcements via campus mail to the public relations office, MC228 or E-mail to: sakluess@mail.viterbo.edu
A copy of Connections is placed in each employee’s mailbox.
Viterbo people
Lisa Fletcher, art, is showing in “Generations,” a curated exhibition of artist families, at Galeria Mesa, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa Ariz., from Oct. 13 to Nov. 14.
Kudos to…
The ADVANCE Program would like to congratulate two students who recently completed the program and have new opportunities in their profession.
Steve Haugen completed the ADVANCE Program in July. His employer, 'The Window Place," offered him the opportunity to become a co-owner during Steve’s third semester. He is now the co-owner of Better Living Home Improvement (recent name change). The ADVANCE Program staff and faculty wish Steve good luck in his new role.
Sue Kammel graduated in May and recently accepted a new position at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare. Her former position was in the training department at Dairyland Power and she is now continuing in the training area as the Computer Educator at FSH. The ADVANCE Program staff and faculty wish Sue the best of luck in her new position.
Have news about your department or students’ accomplishments? Share your achievements with the campus community by sending us a note via “Connections.” We’ll help you spread the word.
United Way kickoff
Start the day off right! United Way coffee, muffins & drawing for a Viterbo sweatshirt, compliments of Viterbo Bookstore (Thanks Tim), 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Wed. Oct. 21 MC lobby. Drawing is at 9:30.
Viterbo employees soar to new heights!
Final results for the Employee Campaign have been tabulated. Over 81% of full-time employees and nearly 25% of part-time employees made a pledge during this year’s employee campaign. These statistics are the highest ever at Viterbo College and have ranked us among the nation’s best in terms of employee giving percentage. Congratulations, Viterbo employees! You have helped us soar to new heights.
—Barry Fried
Pilot, Employee Campaign
Arts & Entertainment
A magical, musical history tour! Directed by Nancy Allen, Diane Foust, Jean Saladino, and Peter Bosgraaf, a Viterbo College Choral Ensemble Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Mon., Oct. 19 in the FAC Main Theater. The concert will feature performances by the Viterbo College Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, and the 9th Street Singers. Solos will be performed by faculty members: Jerry Benser and Jean Saladino; and students: Jodi Leigh Bodenberger, Kevin Burch, Bryan Buser, Amanda Talafous, and Nicole Wightman. Come and celebrate the choral music of the masters!
An exhibit of graphic design by Ab Gratama is now showing in the FAC Third Floor Gallery, through Fri., Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and open at arranged times for special groups. Call x3752 to arrange special group visits.
Campus Ministry News
Mark Your Calendar Now! Habitat for Humanity Work Day Sat., Nov. 7. You will be receiving a phone call as the time gets closer. Help others get into their home and have fun in the process.
Support the Viterbo FAC pantry and Place of Grace food pantries. Leave items on the black table in the foyer of the entrance of the College Church and the Social Justice Group will deliver. The Viterbo Food pantry can use macaroni and cheese, saltine crackers, and peanut butter. Please donate so others in our neighborhoods can eat.
Blood drive
The Red Cross blood drive will be in the College Church, from 1:15 to 6 pm. on Wed., Oct. 21.
Appointments are encouraged! Call health services, x3806 or Student Development, x3825.
Visit Mall of America
The Social Committee will sponsor a bus trip to Mall of America on Sat., Nov. 14, leaving from the FAC at 7 a.m., returning around 9 p.m. Cost: $11 per person. All employees, family, and friends are invited. Watch your mailbox for further details.
V-Hawk sports update
by Jerry Smith
Alumni baseball game a slice of heaven
“Is this heaven?”
Some of you might recognize that line from “Field of Dreams,” the Kevin Costner movie about a baseball field in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and the strange happenings that went on there.
I had a chance to recite that very line, to myself of course, last Saturday when I took to Viterbo College’s field of dreams during the alumni baseball game at the new outdoor athletic complex.
While strange things didn’t happen out there, unless you consider a 38- year-old out-of-shape, balding baseball player-wannabe suiting up against Viterbo’s finest strange, it certainly was one of the highlights of my tenure here at the college.
The players on both the V-Hawk baseball team of present and those of the past were great. As was head baseball coach Dale Varsho for letting a guy who hasn’t taken a cut at a fastball in 18 years play with the big boys.
Probably the strangest thing to happen out there on that beautiful, sun drenched day, on that awesome field, was the fact that I held my own against some pretty good ball players.
Although I’m definitely a couple of steps slower and a lot of pounds heavier than I was the last time I played organized hardball, I actually did okay. I made a couple of plays at first base and third base, and put the ball in play in two out of my three trips to the plate, one being a base hit to right-center. It definitely was a great day for me.
But now that the initial thrill of playing the game I so loved as a young man is over, it’s time to say thanks to a great bunch of guys and to their coach for letting a wannabe lace up the spikes one more time. Thanks!
And remember Varsh, I have three years of collegiate eligibility left if you need me.
V-Hawks at home this week:
• Women’s volleyball vs. Loras College at 7 p.m. today (Oct. 19).
• Women’s soccer vs. Northwestern College at 3 p.m. today (Oct. 19) and vs. UW-Superior at 1 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 25).
Attention: faculty
There will be an open meeting in the Library room 139 for faculty interested in talking with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) visitors from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 20.
Team members are: Gloria Howard (Chair) Education Consultant Providence, R.I.; Mae L. Rodney Director of Library Services Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, N.C.; Bonita Wilcox School of Education Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pa.
In addition to the NCATE Team, the following observers will participate: Gary Hjelm, AFT Representative Chippewa Falls Middle School Chippewa Falls, Robert DeMuth, Wis. Dept. of Public Instruction, Kathryn Lind, Wis.Dept. of Public Instruction.
Attention faculty:
The bookstore is beginning to return unsold books from the fall semester. If there are books that you have not used yet in your classes (e.g., English novels), and you would like them held a while longer, please call Tim, x3848, and the bookstore will keep them for a couple more weeks.
News you’ll notice
by Grant Smith
Jack Havertape first asked me to lead the Viterbo College Self-Study team after the last spring faculty in-service in 1996. Quite frankly, I didn’t have any idea what he was referring to. I had never heard of NCA. I had been involved in only one re-accreditation process (at the high school level) and I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be at Viterbo College in 1998, because I was at the time a candidate for a position at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. And so I told Jack that I would think about it…hoping that I would either get the BYU job or that over the summer Jack would forget he had asked me.
Well, the BYU job went to another candidate and Jack didn’t forget. In the fall 1996 in service, he again asked me to head the team. I hesitated to say yes for three reasons: (1) I had been at Viterbo for only three years. I still didn’t know the names of most of the faculty, much less the governance, the committee structure, the history, the by-laws and regulations, the policies, and staff. (2) I knew that my talents were not in administration. I enjoyed being in the classroom and I didn’t look forward to chairing a committee that I suspected would arouse tensions among faculty, staff, and administration. (3) I don’t like writing reports. The style of discourse used in most Self Study documents doesn’t appeal to me, and I couldn’t imagine anything more unpleasant than spending 18 months producing academic doublespeak that no one would even read! And so I told Jack again that I would think about it, but I suggested that he would be well advised to choose someone more acquainted with the college to lead the Self-Study.
But again, Jack failed me, and after consultation with my family and a few colleagues, I agreed to chair the Self-Study Steering committee. On Sept. 9, President Medland formally introduced me to Karen Wentz, a former NCA evaluator, and the President’s Cabinet, as the Self-Study coordinator and the process began. Two years and one month later, six members of the NCA Evaluation/Consultation team visited Viterbo College and conducted a review of the college, assessing our Self-Study report, gathering information about the college, and summarizing their findings in a Team Report. At the Evaluation/Consultation team’s exit session, Dr. Robert Reid, the Team Chair, informed President Medland and the President’s Cabinet of the strengths, challenges, and recommendations that the team had noted during the visit, and the team’s recommendation for re-accreditation for a ten-year period for Viterbo College.
According to the NCA Handbook of Accreditation (which I have read more times than I care to admit) the Team Report process involves two stages: the draft report and the final report. Within a few months Viterbo College will receive a draft of the Team Report. This Team Report will have already been reviewed by the five other Evaluation Team members and the NCA staff liaison, Rodolfo Garcia Z. Viterbo College will then have an opportunity to respond to the report to correct factual errors. The Team Report is then submitted to a Reader’s Panel or a Review Committee for a final recommendation for accreditation status and NCA affiliation status. All of this submission and review should be completed within eight months of the on-site evaluation.
Now that my job as Self-Study Coordinator is officially over, I would like to summarize some of the observations I made over the last two years.
• I shall always remember the faculty’s laughter when I showed the “Whitewater Part II” transparencies at the 1998 spring in-service. Your willingness to laugh at yourselves confirmed my suspicions that the college community was able to look critically at the institution’s strengths and challenges. Several members of the NCA Team commented that the Self-Study report was one of the most honest and candid self-evaluations they had ever read. This always struck me as a strange observation because I am convinced that it never occurred to President Medland, the Board of Directors, the faculty and staff, and the Steering Committee that the report should be anything but an honest accounting of who we are and what we do.
• Too much praise for the Self-Study Report and the resultant ten-year accreditation has been directed to me as the coordinator. Any appreciation for the report should rightly be directed to Jack Havertape, Silvana Richardson, Jo Ann Marson, Jan Eriksen, Paul Mack, Jay McHenry, S.Jean Moore, Pat Kerrigan, Mike Collins, Mark Saegrove, Karen Birkby, Melissa Growt, Ann Geraghty, Lindon Saline, and S. Mary Ann Gschwind, the members of the Steering Committee who were tireless in their efforts to complete the report. These individuals ( and the sub-committee members who worked with them) worked many hours reading reports, collecting data, drawing conclusions, writing re-writing, and re-writing again without compensation, personal or professional reward. Many people have complimented my efforts to work with the committee in drawing the different sections together, but the committee members were so committed to the project and so responsible in meeting deadlines, that my assignment was indeed easy. Congratulations to all of you who contributed to the report; you are representative of all that is right about Viterbo College.
• Finally, I have gained an increased appreciation for those aspects of the college community that before I had either ignored or taken for granted. I fear that before this experience I limited my view of the college exclusively to my concerns, my classroom, and my projects. Too often I viewed the college community through an “us versus them” lens. Now, after working closely with Pat Kerrigan, Paul Mack, Jack Havertape, Jan Eriksen, and Silvana Richardson I better appreciate the concept of a college “community”—various individuals from various offices working together to provide a superior education for the students who enroll here.
Of course it is impossible to predict where any of us will be when the next NCA team arrives on the campus, or indeed, what kind of campus the NCA team will find in 2008. But I suspect that Viterbo College will continue the rich Franciscan tradition of merging faith and reason, the arts and the sciences, and the community will continue to work collectively to fulfill the mission of the college, providing a liberal arts education rooted in the values of human dignity and respect for the world.