Connections
A Newsletter for the Viterbo University Community
Vol. 14, No. 2 September 4, 2000
Dancing Francis Sculpture Sent as Gift to Italy
Dancing Francis, a nine-foot bronze sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi, was sent this summer as a gift from Viterbo University to the Franciscan Sisters in Assisi, Italy.
The original sculpture, located on the Viterbo campus, was commissioned several years ago by the university with funds from an anonymous donor.
The sculpture depicts St. Francis of Assisi dancing on a crescent of the moon, holding a sun disk in his hands. "There are many accounts of St. Francis singing of his relationship to Brother Sun and Sister Moon," said Minnesota sculptor Paul T. Granlund. "The Franciscan Sisters in La Crosse and in Assisi embraced this vision of a more cosmic Francisone that was not limited exclusively to an association with birds and animals."
"We approached shipping a contemporary work of religious art to Italy, the undisputed center of religious art in the western world, with respect for the centuries-old Franciscan images of St. Francis," said Dr. William J. Medland, President of Viterbo University.
"But when Franciscans in both Italy and the U.S. enthusiastically endorsed Granlund’s interpretation, we knew that Dancing Francis would withstand the test of time," he added.
Northwest Airlines became an active partner in the gift by agreeing to provide transportation for the 800-pound sculpture.
Dancing Francis has been permanently installed in the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement’s St. Anthony’s Guest House.
Viterbo University representatives will pilgrimage to Assisi in October to dedicate the sculpture.
Complete information about Dancing Francis, including high-resolution down-loadable images, is available at http://www.premiergallery.com.
Faculty Show is First Art Department Exhibit for 2000-01
The Viterbo University Art Department is holding a Faculty Show as its first exhibit of this academic year. The show runs Wednesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 29 with an opening reception on Sept. 6 from 7:30-9 p.m.
Exhibits include:
• Tom Bartel figurative ceramic sculpture which investigates the sometimes uncomfortable relationship between clothing and growth.
• Diane Crane a series of plant portraits done in mixed media.
• Peter Fletcher large, detailed oil paintings with classical references from Northern Flemish renaissance and 16th century India. Peter will also include five small drawings he created while in the hospital undergoing a bone marrow transplant.
• Edward Rushton graphic design including postcard design, book art, and typographic experiments.
• Lisa Schoenfielder woodcut prints.
The reception is free and open to the public. There is no admission charge to the Gallery, which is located on the third floor of the Viterbo FAC. The Gallery is open during regular school hours or at other times by request.
Sometimes Wunders do Cease
When Dr. William J. Medland became President of Viterbo, one of his main goals was to acquire the Wunderbar property, have the bar torn down, and use the land for a building addition for Viterbo’s growing campus. Now, 10 years later, his dream has become reality.
Viterbo University officially acquired the Wunderbar property on Aug. 1 and, this Thursday, Sept. 7, the building will be demolished. The Viterbo Community is invited to mark this milestone on Wednesday, Sept. 6, with a celebration in Viterbo Court at 3:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be served. And t-shirts with the new Viterbo University logo, along with an image of the Wunderbar, and the words "Viterbo is razing the bar again," will be available for purchase for $5. Money raised from the sale of the shirts will benefit the Connect Club, Viterbo’s substance abuse prevention program.
The land on which the Wunderbar stands is a portion of the land that will house the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership, one of the top initiatives of Viterbo’s Vision 2005 campaign.
Celebrate Viterbo University!
Signage is up, V-Hawk Court is complete, and all 2 p.m. classes are cancelled on Tuesday, Sept. 5 so everyone can celebrate the official transition from Viterbo College to Viterbo University.
The ceremony, "Change and Continuity," begins at 2:10 p.m. by the flag poles in the FAC parking lot (Jackson Street side) where the new Viterbo University flag will be raised. The procession will move throughout the campus, pausing at a few historic spots until reaching V-Hawk Court for its "unveiling." Then the group will stop outside of the MC entrance for an official proclamation and the presentation of the President’s Medallion to Dr. William J. Medland by Viterbo Board of Director’s President Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA. An ice cream social, sponsored by the Student Government Association, will follow.
Viterbo faculty, staff, and administration may join the President’s Cabinet in wearing full academic regalia.
Kudos to…
• Debra Daehn Zellmer, social work, who presented “W2 Participants in La Crosse County: An Assessment of Quality of Life,” at the 26th Annual State Conference of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers May 10-12 in Madison.
• Lisa Schoenfielder, art, who attended a week-long course in Traditional Black-Line Woodcut at Frogman’s Print and Paper Workshops 2000 held at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. This annual summer workshop continues to be recognized as one of the most prestigious printmaking intensives in the country, drawing professional artists, teachers, and students from all over the U.S. and abroad.
• Ed Rushton, art, who attended the 2000 Maine Summer Institute in Graphic Design for a workshop conducted by nationally renowned graphic designers Nancy Skolos and Thomas Wedell. The Institute is a series of week-long workshops for both practitioners and educators of graphic design. Rushton was one of 22 applicants, selected from those who submitted slides and a letter of intent, to convene as a small diverse group of graphic designers. Ed also is exhibiting in a group show of 24 book artists titled Dear Diary (a look into the hearts and minds of 24 artists). The show runs Sept. 6 through Oct. 5 in the Cesar Chavez Gallery on the campus of San Francisco State University.
• Tom Bartel, art, participated in “Exchange: Japan, Korea, USAan international Exhibition and Symposium” series. Five artists from each country participated in the "exchange" which consisted of a tour in both Korea and Japan and a group exhibition in Seoul, Korea, and Tokyo, Japan. While in Japan, Bartel conducted a lecture on Contemporary Western ceramics. This event addressed current issues and trends in ceramic art and looked closely at the influence and impact that both the tradition of the East and the innovation of the West have brought to contemporary ceramics.
• Peter Fletcher, art, who spoke at the “Mayo Clinic Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Celebrates 1,000 Gifts of Life” program in Rochester, Minn. on Friday, July 7. Fletcher, who was Mayo’s 1001st recipient of a bone marrow transplant in February, provided the artist’s perspective on bone marrow transplants. Fletcher’s work, “Country Roads,” was featured on the materials. In addition, the August 2000 issue of Mayo Today, a magazine for employees of Mayo Clinic and Mayo Health System, featured Fletcher in an article about the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. The article is posted in the President’s display case on the second floor of MC.
Campus Ministry by Fr. Tom O’Neill
Greetings on the first class day of the new academic year. We are celebrating the Feast of St. Rose of Viterbo today, transferred from yesterday. Rose (1233-1251) was a Secular Franciscan (without religious vows). The Franciscan preaching she heard in her native Viterbo, Italy had a great impact on her life, leading her to respond to God's call to attend to the poor. Often she shared her family's meager supply of bread with the poor. Legend has it that when her father once reprimanded her for this, the bread turned to roses. She is the patroness of St. Rose Convent and Viterbo University.
Thanks to all who helped make our time at Lake Neshonoc so enriching: Dr. William Medland, Jackie Lee, Earl Madary, Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, Sr. Sue Ernster, Dr. Glenn Forbes, and members of the Mission Effectiveness Committee.
We will resume the regular school year worship services beginning Sunday, Sept. 10: Sunday Eucharist at 11 a.m. (with student choir) and at 6 p.m. (when there are classes on Monday); weekday Eucharist at noon. Taize Prayer will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights.
Please put Wednesday Sept. 27 on your schedule. The Brothers of Taize, France will lead Taize prayer in the San Damiano Chapel on that day at 6 p.m. Anyone who wishes to serve as a liturgical minister (lector, choir, eucharistic minister, etc.) this year should contact one of the campus ministers.
We commend to God's eternal kindness those who have recently died: the father of Nick Garlie '00, the brother of Meredith Zondag, the mother of Roxy Prenatt, the mother of Betty Voigt, Sr. Elaine Schoemann, FSPA (alum), the brother of Cherie Steele Reinhart (nursing), the grandfather of Matt Riffe, the mother of Mary Simota, and the father-in-law of Jackie Lee. May they rest in peace.
S.O.S. III Aims to Rescue Steinways
Join friends for an evening of fun, food, and fine art on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Save Our Steinways III, a benefit for the restoration of Viterbo’s classic Steinway grand pianos. The cost is $60 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and performances by Viterbo music faculty and students, featuring Viterbo’s first newly restored Steinway grand piano.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot by Sept. 15. Call ext. 3070 for more information.
Psst…Want to Get in Free?
How would you like to attend some of the great music, theatre, and dance performances at the FAC for free? Consider volunteering as an usher. The requirements for ushering include gathering tickets, handing out programs, and guiding audience members to their seats. Ushers commit to a minimum of six events in the Bright Star, NexStar, and/or Arts for Young America series. Pick up a sign-up form in the FAC office and return it by Monday, Sept. 11. You will be contacted a few days prior to the shows for which you’ve volunteered. If you have any questions, please call Julie Larson at ext. 3737 or Rita Koch-Thometz at ext. 3047.
Lorie Line Returning
Popular pianist Lorie Line will return to Viterbo University for her second visit in seven months. Line’s first show in the FAC Main Theatre was a full house. She will return during her holiday tour to perform on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office. Join Lorie and all her "Linebackers" for a great show!
News You'll Notice by Sr. Jean Moore,Vice President, Student Development
Where did the summer go? I’ve asked myself that question numerous times. To help us get back into the swing of things, I’d like to highlight a few areas of Student Development and Student Activities for you to keep in mind.
The Residence Life Staff welcomes Adrienne Appler as Apartment/Houses Complex Director and the Director of the Student Union. Adrienne comes to us from Southeast Missouri State with wonderful experience in residence life and student union management, and she even knows a bit about biology! Contact her at ext. 3840 if you would like to hold an event in the Student Union or have questions about student mailboxes.
The Department of Athletics welcomes Lynn Sirianni as Head Coach for Women’s Volleyball and Director of Sports Information. Lynn comes from Simpson College with a variety of experiences and lots of enthusiasm for volleyball and public relations. Come on out and support our women in their efforts to bring volleyball to a very competitive level!
Watch for "Vic V-Hawk" in his/her new outfit! Anyone wishing to donate money towards Vic’s new duds, contact Sr. Jean at ext. 3801, Sally Emerson at ext. 3072, or Barry Fried at ext. 3812. Vic hopes to make a debut at the Homecoming game in February.
Hear ye, hear ye! Anyone who has a talent, special topic, or program they would like to share with our students, please let us know. We would like to connect students with staff, faculty, and administrators in unique, meaningful, and interesting ways. The RAs (Resident Assistants), SAB (Student Activities Board), and RSB (Resident Student Board) are willing to help you organize a fun, educational, and/or social event. Don’t hide those gifts under a bushel basket! Contact Sr. Jean, ext. 3801, for more info.
Check out the web page for activities planned by SAB for the coming semester. Let your students know what’s going on! http://www.viterbo.edu/students/sga/SABCalendar.htm.
Have a wonderful semester, and come on by the SDC sometime; perhaps we can dream up some wonderful scheme to make this year memorable, or simply have "tea at three" to do some creative thinking and reflecting.
National Holocaust Conference in La Crosse
“New Perspectives on the Shoah and the Third Reich," a national conference on the Holocaust, will be held at the La Crosse Center Sept. 14-16.
The guest speakers include consul generals Michael Engelhard, Germany, and Tzipora Rimon, Israel; Holocaust survivors Robert O. Fisch, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, and Fela Warshau, a survivor of Auschwitz who currently lives in Sheboygan; and Christopher Browning, an internationally renowned historian and author of five books on the Holocaust.
Browning, who wrote Ordinary Men: Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland, will act as keynote speaker. His address, "History, Memory and Survival Testimony," will be from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Radisson. Admission is free and a book-signing will follow.
A number of papers on the Shoah from a variety of disciplines, a photo exhibition, and a theatrical performance based on poetry and art from children in the Theresienstadt concentration camp are all part of the conference.
For more information, visit www.uwlax.edu/shoah2000/ or call UWL Continuing Ed at 785-6500.
Hit the Trail Bike Event is Sept. 16
e a "spokesperson" for Viterbo, "gear-up", and prepare to "wheel around" with fellow employees at the Hit the Trail Bike Event on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Plan to meet at the R & L River Sports Shop (Hwy 35, one block south of Main Street in Onalaska - park in north end of parking lot) between 9:30 and 10 a.m. Enjoy seasonal color and camaraderie while biking on the Greater La Crosse Bike Trail from Onalaska to Trempealeau. We'll have a lunch break at the Trempealeau Hotel, rest, and return in the afternoon. The distance is 13 miles each way. The cost is just $3.00 for day pass on the trail, available at the R & L River Sports Shop.
Plan to join in the fun and experience true "pedal power"!
AMPS News and Requests
• Please place requests for equipment and test scoring as soon as possible. For those of you who are new to Viterbo, stop in at MC 301 and meet Jan or Deb, and we will explain what magic we can do for you.
• AMPS now has an updated program for the Opscan test scoring machine. As with all updates, we also have new test forms. The new forms are multi-color while the old ones were blue. The old forms cannot be used in the new program. Recycle the old forms and come to AMPS for the new version.
• Multimedia podiums were added this summer. The rooms are: MC 230, 406, 408, 420, 501, 502, 555.
BNC 105, 122 (lecture hall), 203, 206, 211.
FAC 204, 219, 221.
AMPS will not deliver computer carts or TV/VCRs to these rooms so if you need instructions for the use of the podiums you should contact Jeff Nyseth at ext. 3285.
• AMPS will take ID photos for the first two weeks of the semester from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. until Sept.15. Please do not confuse this photo with the one taken for the Office of Communications and Marketing.
On the Web
You’ll notice a lot of changes on the web as we transition from college to university. With the sheer volume of work involved in making those changes, it may take up to three weeks to complete web projects so be sure to take that into account when requesting web jobs at this time. Other points to note:
Faculty Web Pages: Please look over the copy on your pages and make sure you change it from college to university. Communications and Marketing cannot make the changes to those pages because they do not have access codes. However, they will make the conversion in the overall home page as well as department and administrative pages.
Need a New Logo? If you need to access a new university graphic for a faculty page or other purpose, you can secure a logo from the web through the following process:
1. Click on the Viterbo University logo on the upper left corner of our home page.
2. This brings you to the University information page. Click on "About the Seal & Logo."
3. You will come to a page with a seal and logo. Click directly on the image to get to a larger version.
4. Hold the mouse button down until you get a list of options. Click on the one that says "save this image as." Give it a name and save to your desktop. You should be able to import that image into your MS Word documents.
Please note, use only the Viterbo University logo on your web pages and documents. Do not use the Viterbo University seal, as that is for official and formal college use only. If you have questions about authorized use of the logo or seal, please contact Communications and Marketing in MC 228.
Education & Technology
Faculty and administrators at Viterbo are invited to subscribe to the Technology in Teaching and Research listserv, also known as T2R. The listserv was created to facilitate the use of technologies in teaching and research among Viterbo faculty and administrators. Members share ideas about how to make efficient and effective use of computers and other technologies to enrich their teaching, enhance independent student learning, and advance research. Educators at every level of computer skill and interest are invited to participate. All members must use their Viterbo email addresses.
To subscribe:
1. Send your subscription message to the Viterbo account imailsrv. In the body of the email message, type “subscribe T2R jsdoe”, but enter your own Viterbo email address in the place of “jsdoe.”
2. After you receive subscription confirmation, you may begin participating in the listserv by sending messages to the Viterbo account T2R. If you have questions, ideas, or comments related to technology and education and/or research, send it this way and your message will be received by everyone on the listserv.
Human Resources
In addition to new students, there are many new faces among the faculty and staff here on campus. Please extend a warm Viterbo University welcome to the following new employees:
Howard Amundson, Physical Plant
Jayne Baldwin, Library
Sheri Shea-Conway, Nursing
Roxanne Hefti, Career Planning & Placement
Sharon Herren, Physical Plant
MaryEllen Jackle, Nursing
Jeffrey Rollins, School of Fine Arts
“Battle of the Us” Part of RA Training
Viterbo University and UW-La Crosse resident assistants (RAs) spent a morning in good-natured competition in Assisi Courtyard last week.
Games included bat turning competitions, mattress races, relays, Twister, and a variety of other fun activities.
Viterbo Residence Life staff recently developed a collaborative relationship with a residence hall at UW-L that will allow RAs at both sites to share educational resources. "Battle of the Us" was held as part of Viterbo’s annual RA training.
Blast from the Past
Summer 1978:
• Viterbo Concert Choir tours in Europe for three weeks.
• Viterbo men’s basketball team, the 76ers, is the MRCC champion, defeating Martin Luther College.
• Sr. Rose Schapman, FSPA, associate professor of nursing since 1968, retires.
October 1976:
• Viterbo graduate Carole Kadinger-Sundberg writes a book called Keeping Food Safe.
• Sr. Helen Elsbernd becomes an administrative officer at Viterbo.
Use New Letterhead
Viterbo University letterhead and envelopes are now in stock. Please discontinue using the old Viterbo College stock and switch to the new supplies. Be sure to remember to check your margins against the new letterhead as they are different from the old. Suggested MS Word settings are: 2” top, 1.1” left, 1” right, 1” bottom. See Karen Hurtgen in the Copy Center for new letterhead and envelope supplies.
Last Call for Cards
Your last opportunity (for a while, anyway) to order Viterbo University business cards is this week. Fill out an order form in Communications and Marketing, MC 228, no later than this Friday, Sept. 8.
Fall Financial Workshops at WWTC
Three sessions of Successful Money Management workshops will be offered this fall at WWTC. Each session is comprised of three evening classes held in WWTC’s Academic Resource Center, Rm. 220. The tuition is $49 and pre-registration is required. Call 789-6000 for more information or to enroll.
Great River Run/Walk
Gundersen Lutheran will host the 7th annual Great River Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 9. This event is for all ages and abilities and goes from the River State Trail in Onalaska to Trempealeau. Food and entertainment will be provided at the Trempealeau Hotel after the walk.The fee is $18 for adults, $15 for Shoe Crew members and Gundersen Lutheran employees, and $3 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 791-6780.
Thank You Viterbo! by Kent Koppelman
Koppelma.Kent@mail.uwlax.edu
To the faculty, administration, and staff: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share some ideas and stories with you at the all-college inservice Tuesday morning. And let me also apologize to Grant Smith for neglecting to acknowledge him as one of several local faculty who read individual essays from my book and provided feedback. This was an essential part of the revision process and Grant's feedback was especially helpful.
If you have questions or comments about my presentation or about my book, Values in the Key of Life, I would be pleased to hear from you.
Several people asked about purchasing my book at the Viterbo Bookstore. It should be available this week. Jan (Koppelman, Viterbo AMPS director) has offered to serve as a courier if anyone wishes to have me sign their copy.
Best wishes for a productive and exciting school year.
Mad Scientist Lab
The Museum of Modern Technology in La Crosse is holding interactive programs for kids ages 7-12 at 10 a.m. on Saturdays this fall. Topics include "What’s Inside Machines?," "Big Blobs of Color" and more. These programs are open to the public, but are free for members of the Museum of Modern Technology. For more information or to register for these fun, scientific events, call the Museum of Modern Technology at 785-2340.
It's Back to School on the Viterbo Campus
Summer comes and summer goes. And, for the Viterbo University community, summer wound down gently with inservices held last week. Below are some of the highlights of last week’s events.
“Day at the Lake”
Members of Viterbo’s staff, faculty, and administration came together for a day of restoration at the annual "Day at the Lake" held at Lake Neshonoc in West Salem. Sponsored by the Mission Effectiveness Committee, the day was filled with time for people to mingle, eat, and reflect on Viterbo’s mission and values (contemplation, service, hospitality, and stewardship) at the start of the 2000-01 academic year.
Glenn Forbes, a Viterbo board member and CEO of Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, addressed the audience and reflected on the meaning of FSPA sponsorship. In order to truly model the Franciscan values and behaviors, Forbes suggested that "we must embody the values of Francis and Clare within ourselves" and consider "how do we take those values and make each person we meet feel important."
"Respect for Human Dignity"
UW-La Crosse Professor Kent Koppelman addressed the Viterbo community on last Tuesday in the FAC lobby with the topic "Respect for Human Dignity." Koppelman recently authored the book Values in the Key of Life, which is now available in the Viterbo Bookstore. Koppelman is the husband of Viterbo’s Jan Koppelman, AMPS director.
Attention: Smokers
A Stop Smoking Clinic using both step-down nicotine replacement therapy, other smoking cessation medication, and 12 weeks of support starts Monday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Each session will be one hour except for the first session, which will last two hours. Participants will meet in the Gundersen Lutheran John and Nettie Mooney Health Resource Center. The fee for this program is $99; attend all 13 sessions and get a $40 refund. For more information, call 791-5442.
Pump House Announces Fall Events
The Pump House has announced dates for its upcoming season:
Sept. 15, 16, 21-23, and 28-30 "Rivertown Revue" (formerly "Best of Broadway") presents "Celebrate America and the New Century" in the Dayton Theater. Tickets are $15 in advance. Call 785-1434 for more information.
• Through Sept. 30: Dr. William P. Vafeas Retrospective Exhibit.
• Through Sept. 30: Great River Folk Festival (GRFF) Retrospective Exhibit; GRFF purchase awards from the UWL Collection.
• Through Oct. 6: Tim Dooley, graphic artist, "Crossfade"--screenprinted panels and mixed media installations created with the use of computer-generated drawing. A reception will follow on Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Healthy Kids Expo
The Healthy Kids Expo at the Valley View Mall on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. will feature exhibits by community services and businesses related to the wellness of children. For more information, call 791-6878.
Classifieds
Wanted: Looking for free, second-hand, comfortable furniture in good shape (couches, chairs, perhaps a coffee table). Will haul. Contact Dick Ruppel, ext. 3484 or rjrupppel.
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