Connections
A Newsletter for the Viterbo University Community
Vol. 14 No. 20 January 29, 2001
Viterbo Officials to Sign Pact with College in Belize
On Jan. 30, Viterbo and St. John's College-Junior College in Belize City will formalize an agreement which is expected to create opportunities for Belizean students to transfer to Viterbo in order to complete their baccalaureate studies.
Sandwiched between Guatemala and Mexico, Belize has already forged a budding relationship--however informal--with Viterbo, which dates back several decades.
In all, more than 20 students have made the trip from the former colony of England, known as British Honduras, to Viterbo, and most have graduated and returned to their home country. Several have assumed key positions within Belize, including three cabinet officers: Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security and Immigration; Mark Espat, Minister of Tourism and Youth; and Delores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development and Women. Many others are employed in criticial occupations throughout the country.
Jack Havertape, academic vice president, Beth Moore, global education, and Pat Kerrigan, communications and marketing, are in Belize for the formal signing of the articulation agreement and to participate in a number of other planned activities, which include an alumni gathering, meetings with students, and interviews with a number of Viterbo graduates.
Nominations Needed!
It’s time to recognize the good work your colleagues. To do this, you need to formally nominate that worthy peer you have in mind. It only takes a moment and the memory will last a lifetime. If you wish to nominate someone, here is a description of the possibilities:
• Outstanding Teacher: Recognizes, foster and stimulate teaching excellence.
• Alec Chiu: Recognizes, foster and stimulate faculty members' efforts to engage students in scholarly activities.
• Pax et Bonum: Recognizes a team, group, office, department, committee, or organization in recognition of demonstrating Franciscan values of quality, service respect, hospitality, stewardship and joy.
• Outstanding Academic Advisor: Recognizes outstanding academic advising
• Sister Helen Elsbernd: Recognizes significant achievement and contributions to the development of Viterbo over a period of at least 20 years.
• Finucan Exemplar of Mission: Recognizes a student, faculty, staff, administrator or Board member or someone who has been closely associated with Viterbo as an employee, benefactor or friend.
• Servant Leader: Recognizes demonstrable servant-leader qualities and characteristics in inter-personal relationships, performance and achievement.
Nomination forms are available from the offices of President (Sr. Elsbernd, Fr. Finucan, Pax et Bonum and Servant-Leader) and the Academic Vice President (Teacher of the Year, Alec Chiu and Outstanding Advisor). Deadline for submissions is March 16 and the awardees will be selected by cabinet and assembly presidents on April 12.
Complete details are also available on the WWW under the category "academics," sub-category "awards."
Homecoming 2001: What’s Going on?
Friday, Feb. 16 6 p.m., All Alumni Banquet and Outstanding Alumni Awards, FAC Lobby
Saturday, Feb. 17
8:30 a.m., Continental Breakfast, FAC Hospitality Suite
9 a.m., Annual Alumni Association Meeting, FAC Hospitality Suite
11 a.m., Athletic Wall of Fame, SAC
1 p.m., Alumni Game, SAC
2:30 p.m., Alumni Social, Recovery Room
4 p.m., Women’s Basketball vs. Marycrest, SAC
6 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Marycrest, SAC
8:30 p.m. Post-game Party, Marian Hall Dining Room
Sunday, Feb. 18
11 a.m., Mass, San Damiano Chapel
Sport a Homecoming T-shirt
What better way to remember Homecoming 2001 than with a t-shirt to mark the occasion? Viterbo University Homecoming 2001 t-shirts are available in sizes M-XL for $10 each and in size XXL for $12. T-shirts can be purchased:
Thursday, Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in both the MC Lobby and Student Union
Saturday, Feb. 3, during the men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. in the SAC
Wednesday, Feb. 7, during the men’s and women’s basketball games at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively in the SAC
Thursday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in both the MC Lobby and Student Union
This fundraiser is being sponsored by the athletics department. For more information, contact Luis Holguin at ext. 3821 or Lynn Sirianni at ext. 3820.
Seventh Day Talks
What are you doing for lunch on Tuesday? TheSeventh Day lunch discussion group will meet at noon in MC 419C to discuss "Election 2000: What Did We Learn?" presented by Keith Knutson, history.
The next discussion is Thursday, Feb. 15. Milan Lukic, math, will talk about "The Balkans: A History of Conflict, a Future of...?"
Four Alumni to be Honored at Homecoming 2001 Awards Dinner
Four Viterbo University alumni will be honored for outstanding achievements during the 2001 Homecoming Banquet & Awards Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 16.
Award winners are:
Christopher Parr ’89, Outstanding Alumni Award for Professional Development: After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Viterbo, Parr moved to the East Coast to attend Brandeis University in Boston where he received his M.F.A. degree in Dramatic Writing in 1991.
He then settled in Madison and started working in the web division at MEG Communications. In 1995, he launched Christopher Parr Internet Design (CPID), which develops the design, strategy, and online marketing for organizations that have included Madison’s Monona Terrace and Sub-Zero Freezer Company. Parr also recently took on another cyber adventure. After successfully developing the web page and marketing for musicnotes.com, an online sheet music store, he was named the company’s vice president and partner. Most recently, Rushlight Entertainment optioned the rights to his screenplay, Last Men, a project that began as a comic book.
Kathryn (Sullivan) Larson ’56, Outstanding Alumni Award for Professional Development: Recently retired as the Director of Nutrition for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Larson has influenced the eating habits and behaviors of many throughout the community through the 500 Club and Winning Weighs programs, both of which she founded and directed. After receiving a degree in home economics from Viterbo, Larson taught high school in Albany and Sparta before continuing her education at UW?Madison. There she served as a teaching assistant until receiving her M.S. degree in 1969. She then returned to La Crosse to teach at Viterbo on a part-time basis. In 1970, Larson was named Director of Nutrition at Gundersen Lutheran. She returned to Viterbo for additional coursework and received her Registered Dietitian certification. During her tenure at Gundersen Lutheran, her department grew from two dietitians to 17. Active in the American Dietetic Association, Larson was a speaker at its national convention and state conventions in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Carole Plante ’66, Outstanding Alumni Award for Community Service: Plante grew up with her sister and two brothers in St. Paul. Following high school, she entered a convent in Mankato, Minn. After six years, and just before taking her final vows, she left the convent and traveled to La Crosse where she enrolled at Viterbo with dreams of becoming a teacher. After she received her B.S. degree in Education, she began a two-year teaching position at St. Joseph’s Cathedral School before teaching at Stoddard Elementary. Plante enjoyed teaching so much that she decided to volunteer at the school after her retirement in 1996. In addition, she volunteers at Bethany St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and is well known there for her service. Plante was the first recipient of the center’s Volunteer Spirit of the Year Award. And, in 1998, she received the Iverson/ Freking Ecumenical Recognition Award.
Sr. Marie Leon La Croix ’45, Outstanding Alumni Award for Service to the University: For 41 years, Sr. La Croix dedicated herself to Viterbo theatre, starting when she founded the department in 1955. During her tenure, she transitioned the department from a one-room spot on the first floor of MC to the major Fine Arts Center it is today. Over the years, she directed 75 productions, costumed 123, and designed 40. She produced the first Arena Theatre and the first Reader’s Theatre in La Crosse, produced and directed a Viterbo FM radio program, and served for a number of years as a regional judge for the Wisconsin High School Forensics Association. She also served as the chair of Viterbo’s Speech and Drama Department from 1955-71 and as a member of the Viterbo University Alumni Board from 1986-92. She was named a Professor Emerita following her retirement and has received the Viterbo College Service Award and Outstanding Teacher Award. In 1994, Viterbo named the Black Box Theatre in her honor. She is currently an active member of the Alumni Emeritus Board. After graduating from Viterbo in 1945 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and minors in art and history, Sr. Marie Leon pursued her M.A. degree in clothing design, which she received from Stout University. She has completed postgraduate studies at several universities.
A 6 p.m. social is planned on Feb. 16, with dinner and awards to follow at 6:45 p.m. in the FAC Lobby. Student leadership awards will also be presented at this event. Dinner is $16. To register, contact the Alumni Office at ext. 3072 or email sbemerson.
Casual Days
Take part in Jeans Days in January by contributing your dollar at the MC Reception Desk or the Admission Office and wearing jeans to work on the following days:
Feb. 2 Spirit Day
Feb. 9 Employee Day
Feb. 16 Food Pantry Day
Feb. 23 La Crosse Tribune Jeans Day (Coulee Region Humane Society and the Special Olympics)
Support Viterbo
Members of the Viterbo community are welcome to stop by and register their support for the Center for Ethics, Science, & Technology prior to Tuesday’s J.A. Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall.
Tickets Available
Free general-seating tickets to the Mixed Blood Theatre’s Jackie Robinson performance are now available at the MC Reception Desk for members of the Viterbo community.
The event, part of Viterbo’s annual Humanities Symposium, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8, at 9:30 a.m. and noon.
There is limited seating as the performances will be shared with area grade and high school students. Faculty requiring entire classes to attend should pick up the tickets in bulk and distribute in class to ensure availability rather than having students pick up the tickets themselves.
Campus Preview is Friday
Just a reminder that this Friday Viterbo is hosting a Financial Aid Workshop/Campus Preview Day from 8:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m.
While the majority of activities are centered around the FAC, these potential students and their families will be seen in many other areas of campus. Please extend your friendliness, helpfulness, and a hearty Viterbo welcome if you encounter these guests.
Another Financial Aid Workshop/Campus Preview day is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10.
Order Copy Center Jobs from the Web
Check out the Copy Center web page! You can request copies online and pick them up at your convenience. You can also request paper online to pick up at your convenience or have it delivered to your office.
Other interesting features include: U.P.S. and postal rates, employee and student counts, mail pick-up and delivery times, bulk mail instructions, and more.
How do you get there? At http://www.viterbo.edu/aboutvit/admserv/copycenter/. Or you can:
• Log onto the Viterbo web site
• Choose "Information"
• Choose "Administrative Services"
• Choose "Copy Center"
• Select the option you need for online ordering.
Please include all the information needed to complete your request:
• Budget number
• Paper code
• Sided code/ream or sheet
• Paper color
• Number of copies, reams, or sheets needed
• Any stapling, folding, collating required
• Date and time needed
This site will be checked every two hours starting at 8 a.m. daily, so plan accordingly when placing online requests.
Symposium Classroom Events Finalized
Below is the classroom event roster for the Feb. 5-8 symposium “The Sporting Life: Gender, Race, and Ethics in American Sports.” Watch your mailbox for a complete event listing.
Monday, Feb. 5
Sports and Character Development, Rick Kyte, director, D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership.
8-9:20 a.m. BNC 206
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Race in American Sports, Dennis Biddle, founder of Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball and former pitcher for the Chicago American Giants.
9:30-10:50 a.m. BNC 206
11-11:20 a.m. MC 420
Sports Participation and its Impact on Deviant Behavior: Are There Gender Differences? Marlene Fisher, assistant professor, sociology, social work, criminal justice.
9:30-10:50 a.m. MC 408
Sports Nutrition, Karen Gibson, instructor, nutrition/dietetics.
12:10-1 p.m. BNC 122
Hunting Ethics, Jim Posewitz, biologist and founding president of Orion, The Hunters Institute.
8-9:20 a.m. FAC 204
9:30-10:50 a.m. FAC 204
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Hunting Ethics, Jim Posewitz, biologist and founding president of Orion, The Hunters Institute.
9-9:50 a.m. BNC 211
The Image of Women Athletes in Young Adult Literature, Grant Smith, associate professor, English.
1:10-2 p.m. MC 417
Thursday, Feb. 8
The Image of Women Athletes, Grant Smith, associate professor, English.
11 a.m.?12:20 p.m. BNC 105
Campus Ministry by Fr. Tom O'Neill
• Busy Student Retreat is Feb. 4-8: A reminder to all students to register for the Busy Student retreat, which begins next Sunday night. See Sr. Sue Ernster, Fr. Tom O’Neill, or Earl Madary for details and a registration form.
• Friday, Feb. 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, “Candlemas Day,” and First Friday. Celebrated in Jerusalem as early as 386, the feast became a torchlight procession, a vigil of expectation for the Lord who comes to meet his people with the light of salvation. The feast falls 40 days after Christmas, observing Luke’s computation of the Jewish rite of the infant’s presentation and the parents’ purification. This is the traditional day to bring candles from home for the blessing of candles. If you wish to have candles blessed, please bring them to noon Mass at San Damiano Chapel.
• Saturday is St. Blase Day, the day for blessing of throats. The custom comes from a time when the entire year was filled with blessings. As the year unfolded, to bless the Lord the Church offered up the whole of creation. Throats are blessed in a way that asks God to prevent all diseases and ills. Since we do not have Mass Saturday, the Blessing of Throats will take place immediately after noon Mass on Friday, Feb. 2, San Damiano Chapel.
• Spring Break Mission/Service Trips: Two trips to the Kansas City, Mo. area are being planned for March. One group will work at the L'Arche Christian Community, a home for developmentally and emotionally challenged, and disabled adults. The other team will work in a Catholic Worker Homeless Shelter and Soup Kitchen. Work will be meal preparation and help with the ongoing work of the shelter. Watch for further details and application forms. Refer questions to Sr. Sue Ernster or Earl Madary.
Kudos to...
Heidi Nickel, senior, who was recently named the new student director of the Riverfront Singers. Riverfront is an organization that helps physically challenged adults. Nickel assumed the role from Amanda Talfous, a Viterbo alumna.
Chicago Trip Booked
When Darrell Pofahl leads his 31st bus trip to Chicago this year, it will be with a busload that booked fast. According to Pofahl, interest was high and the sign up sheet was filled rapidly. A waiting list exists. The trip, sponsored by the Viterbo sociology, social work, and criminal justice department, takes students on a cultural and educational tour of Chicago’s ethnic neighborhoods. The trip is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, March 29-31.
V-Hawk Women's Basketball: #5 and Climbing
The Viterbo women’s basketball team climbed to fifth place in the NAIA Division II ratings last week. The ascent is attributed to their Jan. 20 victory over Marycrest, 76-49, as well as the loss suffered by three of the top seven teams in the ranking.
Assisting the V-Hawk women in their rise to fifth were three teammates who broke the milestone 1,000 points scored. Congratulations to senior Heidi Behnke, 1,134; senior Ellie Junker, 1,053; and junior Kara Brandau, 1,042.
Congratulations, V-Hawks -- and keep on climbing!
Viterbo Bright Star Showcases Traditional Sounds of Black South Africa
Experience the legendary harmonies of the South African group Ladysmith BlackMambazo on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the FAC Main Theatre. For more information, contact the Viterbo University Box Office at ext. 3100.
Classifieds
For Sale: Two main floor tickets to the sold-out performance of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Tickets are $26 each. Call Loretta Waughtal ext. 3040.
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