Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Tom Thibodeau and students in his homelessness class spent this night outside Feb. 27–28. It was the 33rd annual vigil.
The Viterbo University D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership’s spring lecture series will continue at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, as actor and historian Joe Wiegand presents “An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt” in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
Wiegand is considered the world’s premier Theodore Roosevelt repriser, and his portrayals of Roosevelt in live performance, on television, and in film are amazing. Wiegand has been featured as President Roosevelt in The Men Who Built America on the History Channel, served as the model for the newest Roosevelt sculpture at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and has a feature role in National Parks Adventure, a film about U.S. national parks still showing in IMAX theaters throughout the country. He has also...
Viterbo Rec Sports is holding a “Boost Your Wellbeing” employee wellness challenge Monday, March 23–Sunday, April 17.
Each week will have a different focus/intention focusing on a different dimension of wellness. The purpose of this challenge is to help participants discover new avenues of health and how to better “level-up/boost” their health habits so that they may live out a strong and healthy lifestyle.
Tasks will vary each week with the general goal to be intentional behavioral awareness. Engagement in the Facebook group is encouraged to connect with other ideas and discoveries of self and accountability.
Register at the Mathy Center front desk. The cost of the challenge is $5. Participants are eligible to win prizes each week, with the opportunity to win one grand prize...
Fr. Conrad Targonski places ashes on the forehead of a student during Ash Wednesday Mass in San Damiano Chapel Feb. 26.
Nominations are open for the Viterbo Spirit of St. Francis Sustainability Award.
Last year’s winners were Dorothy Lenard and Alexis Bird. Nominations are due Thursday, April 2. The award be presented on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22.
The exhibit Configuration of Self featuring the art of Viterbo students Aaryn Jones, Caitlin Parish, and Elise Topoloski opened with a reception Feb. 26. The show runs until Wednesday, March 18.
Viterbo Scholars Days are Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 and faculty are encouraged to involve students in a Scholars Days experience.
The Scholars Days registration form is live. Click here to access the registration form directly. The form, more background information about Scholars Days, and materials from previous events are available at www.viterbo.edu/scholarsdays. The deadline to register for Scholars Days is 9 a.m. today, March 2.
Note: Any group presentations/sessions (entire class presenting separate projects, graduating seniors presenting capstones, etc.) should be registered by a lead faculty member. Any individual students interested in presenting an oral or poster presentation, unattached from a group or course effort, should register themselves for our...
Two major events on the Viterbo campus are planned as part of the community education element of the university’s VOICE program— short for Vital Opioid Instruction through Community-based Experiential Training.
The VOICE program is made possible by a three-year, $741,201 grant Viterbo received in August 2019 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Opioid Workforce Expansion Program. Debra Murray, director of counselor education, is project director for the VOICE initiative.
On Thursday, March 12, Viterbo will host its first VOICE Town Hall, an advocacy event related to policy issues focused on opioid and substance-use prevention, treatment and recovery services. As part of the grant, the VOICE program will have two such...
Everyone is invited to attend the 2020 International Women’s Day Celebration Sunday, March 8 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
The event, which is sponsored in part by Viterbo University, will begin at 1 p.m. with light snacks in the Bluffs conference room on the second floor of the UW-L Student Union followed by the program at 1:30 p.m. Four panelists will speak about gender equity in their first country and in the U.S. as they respond to this year’s theme, #EachforEqual, a consideration of how each of us can help create a gender-equal world.
The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.
This is one in a series of student profiles to be featured in Connections. The profiles are part of a project to articulate the Viterbo difference through storytelling. Have a student story worth sharing? Email stories@viterbo.edu
By Eric Timmons
Logan Bjerkos, a senior social work major at Viterbo University, admits she was worried about the cost of attending college when she was considering where to study.
“I was terrified going into college, thinking about how I was going to afford this,” she said. “But Viterbo worked really well with all of the financial aid, the grants and scholarships.”
In the end, Bjerkos said a friend who goes to a public college pays more than she does at Viterbo, which is a private university.
“That’s one thing that always surprises...
By Sue Danielson, health services
The spread of coronavirus, now called COVID-19, is continuing to occur globally. As of Feb. 27, there were 82,294 confirmed cases and 2,804 deaths around the world. China accounts for 78,630 of the cases and 2,747 deaths. The U.S. currently has 14 confirmed cases, plus 45 cases of people who have been repatriated back to the U.S. from Wuhan, China, and from aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Recently, Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan have increased their alert levels due to increases in cases of COVID-19 in these countries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to closely monitor the situation both in the U.S. and abroad. Currently the risk for COVID-19 in the U.S...
Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Payton Harper (Viola), Gavin Mason (Sebastian), and Gemma Cooper (Feste).
Viterbo students will present William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in a theatre for young audiences format at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 and Sunday, March 1 at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts.
Twins separated during a shipwreck, mistaken identity, and role reversals—no one does it better than Shakespeare. Audience members will follow Viola and a group of other adventurous characters as they explore friendships, romance, and hilarious hijinks.
“Twelfth Night is a fun play filled with humor and themes of love, identity, and finding one’s own in society,” said Rick Walters, the Viterbo theatre and music theatre faculty member who is directing the production. “It examines the...
By Michael Ranscht and Rick Trietley
The Space Allocation Committee has again been meeting regularly since the beginning of the semester. Work on the space needs survey launched last semester continues as we review current and future needs based on the strategic plan and the priorities established last semester while also looking at the historical use of spaces. Office moves continue to be regularly approved by the committee.
The priorities established in conjunction with President Glena Temple last semester include moving the student affairs staff from the current Student Development Center to other locations on campus. As a result of the committee’s work and consultation with others, the counseling staff will move to the third floor of Murphy Center so all student-focused...
Viterbo will offer a bachelor degree completion program in social work beginning in fall 2020.
The program is designed for people who have an associate degree in human services or a related field who want to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in social work within two years. Classes are offered in a combination of on-campus evening and online hybrid format ideal for working professionals.
“Earning a bachelor’s degree and becoming a credentialed social worker opens up great career opportunities,” said faculty member Jennifer Anderson-Meger, the director of the Viterbo social work program. “Social work is a very holistic profession, and social workers are needed in medical settings, community-based services for the elderly, and disabilities, mental health, substance abuse, and child...
The art of Viterbo seniors Aaryn Jones, Caitlin Parish, and Elise Topoloski will be featured in an exhibit opening with a reception from 5–6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the Viterbo University Gallery in the Fine Arts Center.
The show, entitled Configuration of Self, will include paintings, photographs, prints, and some three-dimensional works. It will run until Wednesday, March 18.
The image is The Lion by Elise Topolski (conte crayon on paper).
By Sarah Bearbower
A number of departments have made the transition from external (www) pages to internal SharePoint sites. SharePoint sites require an @viterbo.edu login and can be made available to all student, employee, or subsets of users.
As we continue to develop our internal portal, work to streamline how end users navigate is being considered.
Currently there are a variety of ways to get to SharePoint sites.
- From the MyVU page click on VU Portal.
- Navigate to Viterbou.sharepoint.com
- Log into any Office365 tool (Outlook, calendar, etc), click SharePoint from the App Picker.
From any of these starting points, you can use the search box to find specific departmental or committee sites to which you have permission.
Microsoft is in the process of...
The Ash Wednesday Mass and the distribution of ashes schedule at San Damiano Chapel Feb. 26:
- 7:15 a.m.
- 12:15 p.m. (Classes are cancelled from 12:20–1:15 p.m.)
- 5:15 p.m.
Employees are invited to enjoy some paczkis and kings cakes any time from 9–10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 25 in Reinhart Center 134 in celebration of Fat Tuesday.
The event is hosted by the Viterbo hospitality committee.
The Greater La Crosse Golf Show, a fundraising event for the Viterbo women’s golf team, will be held from 2–8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 in the Mathy Center.
By Barry Fried
The athletics department would like to thank all members of the Viterbo community who participated in the athletics raffle by purchasing a ticket. The raffle winners were drawn this past Saturday at half-time of the men’s basketball game. Here are the winners:
- Dorothy Lenard
- Gary Lynch
- Grace Peyron
- Ron Springer
- Jim Jakscht
- Jonah Beers
- Linda Everson
- Linda Bjorge
- Laura Davidson
by Mary Rieder
During the recent Celebration of Teaching and Learning, library and instructional support services staff showed off the wide array of equipment available for faculty and students to check out from the library in our tech petting zoo. The library has laptops, video cameras, audio recorders, headphones, projectors, iPads, and other equipment available for 24-hour checkout to students and employees.
Here’s a brief list of what we have:
- Twenty Dell laptops with Windows 10, Microsoft Office and LockDown installed on them that may be checked out for 24 hours. These laptops (as well as your own) can also be used in the library’s Laptop Lab, Room 119, which is set up with tables and power outlets specifically for using laptops. (Although they can’t be checked out, there...
By Sue Danielson, health services
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) emphasizes that antibiotic resistance is a persistent health issue that can spread through people, animals, and the environment; threatens our most vulnerable friends and family members; and affects nearly every aspect of life. Given the chance, these germs will infect our bodies, take up residence in our health care facilities, contaminate our food and water supplies, and move across our communities and around the globe. More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. Despite this the fight against antibiotic resistance, no matter how complex, is not hopeless.
According to Robert R. Redfield, M.D...
Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Congratulations to the newest members of the Viterbo athletics Wall of Fame, Chad Miller ’02, baseball coach; Steph Wisen ’15, women’s soccer; Katie Flock ’15, women’s volleyball, and Joe Dunham, benefactor support.
The acclaimed Artaria String Quartet will present the complete cycle of 17 string quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven in six concerts in celebration of the composer’s 250th birthday Saturday, Feb. 22–Monday, Feb. 24 and Sunday, March 22–Tuesday, March 24 in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Nola Starling Recital Hall.
The 17 string quartets of Beethoven’s monumental canon span 36 of his 57 years and represent, perhaps better than any other of his works, the revered Early, Middle, and Late periods of his compositional life. These so-called “periods” are not mere academic divisions but rather a glorious arc of Beethoven’s work. So, too, they encompass his deafness from its beginning to its final and awful silence. Within the Artaria String Quartet’s six programs of the complete...
Enjoy an evening of swinging jazz music with Two and the Night and the Music: An Evening of Jazz with Dave Marck and Tim Harrison at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Nola Starling Recital Hall.
The concert, which will include a wide variety of tunes from Duke Ellington, Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Miles Davis, and others, is a fundraiser for Viterbo’s Platinum Edition Show Choir.
“Dave and Tim bring great joy to their music making and their high level of skill and musicianship is outstanding,” said Nancy Allen, Viterbo music faculty member and director of Platinum Edition. “And their spontaneous spirit of creating music on the spot is truly inspiring.”
A native of La Crosse, Marck is a professional musician based in New York City...
Viterbo University is participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) spring semester 2020. The survey will help university officials learn more about our student’s engagement in their learning and what they have gained from their college experience.
Students can provide input about the level of academic challenge, their experience of active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, and the campus environment.
All undergraduate first-year students and seniors will receive an email invitation for the survey Thursday, Feb. 20.
Viterbo participates in NSSE every three years, along with approximately 700 colleges and universities across the nation, which provides benchmarking on a national level. An additional benchmark group will be...
Caitlin Locy, admissions, took home the Honors Program Chili Cookoff trophy for the third year in a row. She was presented with the award by Matthew Bersagel Braley and honors students. Locy took first place out of 16 entries. The event raised $200 for the organization of her choice, the Viterbo food pantries.
The Viterbo community is invited to attend a retirement reception for Bev Oney, physical plant, at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 in the Fine Arts Center Hospitality Suite room 116.
Cake and refreshments will be served. Oney has served at Viterbo for 32 years.
Registration is live for Service Saturday Feb. 22. There is space for people to serve at Habitat for Humanity ReStore, New Horizons Shelter, The Children's Museum, Boys and Girls Club, and The Exchange.
Registration is open until the end of the day Tuesday, Feb. 18. Click here to sign up on UGetConnected.
Members of the Viterbo Student Nurses Association gathered for a photo Feb. 7 before departing for the Wisconsin Student Nurses Association annual convention. Viterbo student Alisha Bell was elected as legislative vice president to the WSNA board, which faculty member Julie Meyers described as “a huge undertaking because, in this role, Alisha will be the main planner for the annual convention.” Congratulations Alisha. Learn more about the WSNA at http://www.wisconsinsna.com/about.
The D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Research Fellowship.
The Ethics Institute will award up to three fellowships for faculty to conduct research in their fields related to the topics of ethics and leadership. All Viterbo University faculty members are eligible to apply. The fellowships will provide each recipient with an award of $7,000 plus additional funds as needed to cover research expenses.
The application deadline is Wednesday, April 8. Submit proposals to Rick Kyte at rlkyte@viterbo.edu. The recipients will be announced Wednesday, April 22.
This is one in a series of student profiles to be featured in Connections. The profiles are part of a project to articulate the Viterbo difference through storytelling. Have a student story worth sharing? Email stories@viterbo.edu
By Eric Timmons
Hannah Krause is studying biochemistry at Viterbo University and looking forward to a career in research, and perhaps one day working to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients, and maybe even find a cure.
Krause says it’s unlikely there’ll ever be a single “cure” for cancer, as each case is different, but she’s determined to play her part in the battle against the disease.
A junior at Viterbo, Krause grew up in Pardeeville, a small town north of Madison, and was close with her high school drama club director, who...
Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Danessa Brocks, the 2020 Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse Youth of the Year, was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Viterbo University at a signing event in the Mathy Center Feb. 5. Also pictured are Viterbo President Glena Temple and Jake Erickson, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse. Click to view more photos from the event, and read or watch Brocks’ story.
The Viterbo community is invited to celebrate Homecoming Saturday, Feb. 15.
Saturday, Feb. 15
10 a.m. Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby. Being honored are Joe Dunham, benefactor support; Katie Flock ’15, women’s volleyball; Chad Miller ’02, baseball coach; and Steph Wisen ’15, women’s soccer.
11:45 a.m. Alumni Women’s Basketball Game
1 p.m. Alumni Men’s Basketball Game
4 p.m. V-Hawks Women’s Basketball
6 p.m. V-Hawks Men’s Basketball Game. Special halftime recognition of the Men’s Soccer 1999 Team.
A social will follow the V-Hawk Men’s Basketball Game in the Skogen Family Welcome Center in Reinhart Center. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. RSVP by calling 608-796-3076.
Read about three Viterbo DNP students who provided care at the scene of a car accident as originally published by In the Loop from Mayo Clinic.
Viterbo career services is collecting business professional and casual clothing for the 2020 Suits for Success event.
A collection box is located in Murphy Center 374, or email argostonczik@viterbo.edu for pick up at your office.
The Viterbo Fine Arts Center Dick Record Entrance was formally dedicated at a ceremony Feb. 6. From left are President Glena Temple, Eva Marie Restel, executive director of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, and Dick Record, a longtime supporter of the arts at Viterbo. Click to watch the WKBT story.
By Mary Rieder, library
With almost 68,000 streaming videos covering subject areas such as business and economics, education, science, nursing, counseling and therapy, classical music, sports medicine, theatre, engineering, religion, and LGBTQ studies, you may have already used the library’s subscription to Academic Video Online (AVON) for class assignments, but did you know it also has many videos you can watch just for fun? Included in the collection are videos from the A&E television network, the BBC, PBS, the History Channel, London’s Royal Opera House, Live from Stratford-upon-Avon the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Discovery Channel, just to name a few.
To sample some of these more entertaining videos, I asked several library staff members what some of their...
The top five finishers in the annual Health Science Scholarship competition are pictured with Viterbo President Glena Temple. From left are Grace Stockwell, fourth place ($10,000), Karn Vethe, second place ($12,000), Tristan Meighan, winner, (full tuition), Megan Huss, third place ($12,000), and Cameron Zimmerman, fifth place ($10,000). Twenty-five finalists participated in the event, and places 6–25 received a $4,000 scholarship. All scholarship amounts are over four years.
The Viterbo community is invited to attend the annual Honors Program Chili Cook-off tomorrow, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the School of Nursing Building Lobby.
Everyone attending the event will be able to sample numerous chilis and vote for their favorite.
A freewill offering will be collected. All proceeds from the event will go to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Viterbo community members are invited to nominate deserving students to receive the St. Catherine’s Medal.
The St Catherine’s Medal is awarded to three to five students each year who represent the high ideals of a Catholic college education, including Viterbo’s core values of contemplation, hospitality, integrity, stewardship, and service. Thorough nominations with examples that highlight the impact a student has made are appreciated from Viterbo employees, faculty, and students.
Click here for the nomination form. Nominations are due Monday, March 2 at noon. For more context about this award, click here.
Over the past 15 years, Viterbo University’s visiting scholar program has featured lecturers from as far away as Russia and Israel. For spring semester this year, though, the university is tapping into a world-class expert in leadership who happens to be homegrown.
Jeff Thompson, M.D., former CEO of Gundersen Health System, will be the visiting scholar for Viterbo’s D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership.
“Sometimes we have these resources right in our own community that are amazing,” said Rick Kyte, director of the Reinhart Institute.
“One of the things that makes him unique for us is he’s not coming out of an academic background. He’s coming from professional practice,” Kyte said. “I think this will be very beneficial to our students. That’s the main thing we’re...
The Viterbo community is invite to attend the next Identities Project event, a Civil Dialogue on Reproductive Rights from 7–8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the School of Nursing Building room 196.
The panel will consist of a Catholic Sister, a medical professional, a New Horizons advocate, and informed student body members.
This is one in a series of student profiles to be featured in Connections. The profiles are part of a project to articulate the Viterbo difference through storytelling. Have a student story worth sharing? Email stories@viterbo.edu
By Eric Timmons
Casey Fremstad felt a calling to serve as a youth minister and the religious studies and theology senior is now well on the path to realizing her dream.
Fremstad completed a youth ministry internship in New Jersey last summer, which followed work as a camp counselor for two previous summers at a local bible camp that sparked her calling.
For her senior thesis, Fremstad is studying ways to connect with the Gen Z population in ways that make church relevant to their lives.
“How we can change our approach and our language to reach...
All Viterbo community members and their family members are invited to attend the Night on the Slopes event from 4–9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at Mt. La Crosse. The event is coordinated by Viterbo’s recreation and leadership department.
Click for complete details and registration information.
Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Congratulations to the top finishers in the Nightingale Nursing Scholarship competition Jan. 31. From left are faculty members Kristin Roslansky and Mary Therese Rinzel, Hailey Erdmann, second place ($16,000), winner Tasha Koeshall ($24,000), Gabrielle Cornell, third place, ($8,000), and Martha Scheckel, dean of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior.
The WorkForce Career, Internship, and Graduate School Fair Tuesday, Feb. 18 in West Allis isn’t just for students. Viterbo Career Services is sponsoring a bus for students and faculty who are interested in attending the fair to network and build connections with Wisconsin employers.
The bus will leave campus at 11:30 a.m. and return about 9:30 p.m. Your “ticket” includes a free lunch. See the organizations attending at WorkForce Career, Internship, and Graduate School Fair. Sign up for a seat by emailing Alyssa Gostonczik.
If you have an extra five minutes or more of class you would be willing to spare between now and the fair, a career services staff member would be happy to come and talk to your class about the benefits of attending the fair. They are also available to do...
Check out the latest edition of the Viterbo Alumni Association monthly e-newsletter, which includes information on Homecoming and the Wall of Fame induction, Distinguished Alumni Award nominations, and Courtyard Carni memories.
Share ideas for alumni features and other stories for the newsletter by emailing Randy Erickson.
By Heather Butterfield, human resources
The Franciscan recognition program is off to a great start. Thank you for everyone who have already submitted names of coworkers to be recognized. Each month, we will share the stories of the employees who have been recognized. Click here to see the January Employees who were recognized.
As a reminder, the Franciscan Recognition program offers the Viterbo community a way to acknowledge good work and extend appreciation to employees who live the Franciscan mission and values in their daily work. Recognition can be provided by peers, students, supervisors, or external community members. The Viterbo community wants to hear about and recognize all the wonderful things our employees are doing.
To recognize an employee, complete the online...
This is one in a series of student profiles to be featured in Connections. The profiles are part of a project to articulate the Viterbo difference through storytelling. Have a student story worth sharing? Email stories@viterbo.edu
By Eric Timmons
On a typical day in her life as a Viterbo University business student, you might find Taylor Wiedemann meeting corporate customers as part of her internship at Trane, or back on campus working on a market research project for an innovative local start-up.
The practical focus of her studies appeals to Wiedemann, a senior from West Salem who is double-majoring in marketing and management and leadership at Viterbo’s Dahl School of Business.
“It’s been a really great experience,” Wiedemann said of her internship at Trane in La Crosse. “I...
By Sue Danielson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally, including in the U.S. and Canada. There are ongoing investigations to learn more. There are indications that this virus is now spreading person-to-person. Of most concern at this time are travelers who may have been in the epicenter of the outbreak or in contact with an infected individual.
Six cases have been identified in the U.S. and 241 people are being...
Nominate a deserving colleague for Employee of the Year, Servant Leader, or the other major honors to be announced at the annual Rose Awards ceremony in May.
Nominations are now open. Click for a complete description of the awards and the nomination forms.
All Viterbo community members are invited to celebrate the dedication of the Dick Record Entrance to the Fine Arts Center Thursday, Feb. 6.
The schedule of the event, which will be held in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby, is:
- 5:15 p.m. Doors Open
- 5:30 p.m. Dedication Program
- 6 p.m. Reception
Read all about Record’s support of Viterbo University here.
Everyone is invited to attend “A Thousand Paper Cuts: An Identities Project Panel Exploring Microaggressions” from 7–8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 in the School of Nursing Building room 196.
A microaggression is a casual or common verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignity. Microaggressions can be intentional or unintentional, they all communicate negative prejudices. They can range from negative to derogatory to hostile, and can be targeted at any group, but particularly marginalized groups.
The panel members will talk about their experience being on the giving and receiving ends of microaggressions, share examples of common microaggressions you may not have thought of, and explore how everyone can do better. Treats will be provided.
To learn more about the Identities...
A blood drive will be held from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. today, Feb. 3 in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby.
Click to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Stephanie Helmers, owner of Zen and Pow yoga and fitness studio spoke as part of the Leadership at Noon series Jan. 28 in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby.
Professional Development Opportunities are posted in the HR SharePoint Site. You can find that information here.
Ellucian Self Service: Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m.–noon in the School of Nursing Building room 202. Presented by Mark Bateman. Learn about the new functions and features in Colleague Self Service.
FEI In-person Webinar: Understanding Implicit Bias and Minimizing Its Impact. Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m.–noon in the School of Nursing Building room 104. Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that affect thoughts, actions and decisions. In this session, participants will explore how implicit bias can creep into work environments and how supervisors and managers can leverage this knowledge to reduce its negative impact on decisions, behavior...
Chris Mayne, biology, shares his scholarly work at the Celebration of Teaching and Learning Jan. 31.
Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Viterbo University students will present the heartwarming drama Failure: A Love Story Friday, Jan. 31–Saturday, Feb. 1 and Friday, Feb. 7–Sunday, Feb. 9 in the Fine Arts Center LaCroix Black Box Theatre.
Failure: A Love Story is the whimsical and musical tale of the Fail sisters: Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty, as they live out their lives above the family clock shop near the Chicago River. By the year 1928, their time will unexpectedly run out, but not before this fable proves that the power of love is far greater than any individual’s successes or failures.
“Failure is a delightfully fun and charming story—the perfect heartwarming show for these chilly winter months. I think audiences are really going to enjoy it,” said Erin Jerozal, Viterbo theatre and music theatre faculty member...
Employees are invited to attend a professional development session on mindfulness and work life balance from 10:30–11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 in the School of Nursing Building room 202.
Stephanie Helmers, owner of Zen and Pow Fitness and Yoga will give the presentation. She will speak as part of the Leadership at Noon from noon–1 p.m. that day in the Fine Art Center FSPA Lobby.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students will present their DNP project defenses Wednesday, Jan. 29 in the School of Nursing Building room 207.
The Viterbo community is invited to attend. Click for the full schedule and list of topics.
The internationally acclaimed German a cappella quintet Calmus conducted a workshop for members of four local high school choirs in the Vitebro Fine Arts Center Main Theatre Jan. 22. Calmus performed the next evening as part of the university’s Bright Star Season.
Business expert, author, and renowned speaker James Hunter will present “Servant Leadership: Creating a Culture of Excellence” at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
For more than 30 years, Hunter has presented to audiences around the world on the topics of leadership and developing high performing teams. He also assists organizations in creating a culture of excellence by growing leaders and building community. Hunter’s clients include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, American Express, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Servant Leadership is a values and relationship-based approach to leadership that seeks to create a high trust culture. It...
By Mary Rieder
Welcome back to campus. The library has implemented some new Circulation Policies this semester, which will expand the amount of time you can check out several collections.
The biggest change is that you can now check out reference materials, which formerly did not circulate at all. They can now be checked out from the library for three days. The only exception is a small Ready Reference collection located behind the Reference Desk.
Additionally, DVDs and videos can now be borrowed for seven days, up from the three days they were at previously. This matches the circulation period for music CDs.
Finally, Career Collection materials now circulate for 30 days for both students and faculty instead of the week they were at before.
For more information about...
Register to compete in the annual Honors Program Chili Cook-off Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the School of Nursing Building Lobby. Email Marne Boehm to sign up.
Everyone is invited to attend the event, sample numerous chilis, and vote for your favorite. Caitlin Locy, admissions, is the two-time defending champion. She just laughed when asked if she thought her sister or anyone else stood a chance this year.
A freewill offering will be collected. All proceeds from the event will go to the charity of the chili champion’s choice.
A blood drive will be held from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby.
Click to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. Everyone attempting to donate will receive a pair of Versiti sunglasses as a thank you gift while supplies last.
The 2020–25 Viterbo University Strategic Plan is available for employees via the VU Portal at https://viterbou.sharepoint.com/.
This is one in a series of student profiles to be featured in Connections. The profiles are part of a project to articulate the Viterbo difference through storytelling. Have a student story worth sharing? Email stories@viterbo.edu
By Eric Timmons
Allison Dunne has taken full advantage of the opportunities that have come her way since she started studying psychology at Viterbo University.
“I never thought I would be leading the psychology club or starting the Psi Chi honors club, because at bigger schools I never would have had that opportunity,” she said. “I would have been just another name and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to break out and learn the leadership skills that I have, and that’s been really beneficial to me.”
Dunne grew up near Holmen and in addition...
Guest artist Byron Anway held a drawing workshop with students Jan. 23. His exhibit of paintings and drawings, Gatherings, will be on display in the Viterbo University Gallery until Feb. 14.
Connections Viterbo Employee Newsletter
Stephanie Helmers, owner of Zen and Pow yoga and fitness studio in Onalaska, will speak as part of the Leadership at Noon series at Viterbo University from noon–1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby.
Helmers opened Zen and Pow in a small studio in 2013, teaching kickboxing and yoga. She has rapidly grown the business and today it is located in a state-of-the-art multipurpose fitness and wellness facility in Onalaska. In addition to its many fitness offerings, the business is also known for positive energy and inspiration, providing members with “a total mind, body and soul experience.”
While teaching at Zen and Pow, Helmers has developed a strong love for business and entrepreneurship as she works on branding, marketing, building her team, and ultimately...
It’s cold outside, but everyone is asked to think about spring and nice warm memories of Courtyard Carni on a beautiful May afternoon. The communications department is working on a project to document memories of the fun times had over the years at the Courtyard Carni.
There is a page where you can submit memories online, and if you have photos, share those on the Viterbo Alumni Association Facebook page.
Service Saturdays: Service with the Sisters will be held from 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Jan. 25.
There is space for 30 people to serve and eat lunch with FSPA Sisters, while other participants will serve with WAFER Food Pantry or Habitat for Humanity.
Register on UGetConnected.
By Sue Danielson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that so far this flu season there have been at least 9.7 million flu illnesses, 87,000 hospitalizations, and 4,800 deaths as a result of flu. Flu activity is high in the U.S. and is expected to continue for many weeks.
While there are many different flu viruses, flu vaccines protect against the three or four viruses that research suggests will be most common. A yearly vaccine can help prevent flu not only in yourself, but in the other people that you may interact with at home, work, or school. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
It is not too late to be vaccinated. Viterbo health...
By Colin Burns-Gilbert
I would be happy to visit your classroom to give a presentation on a range of topics. In the past, I have demonstrated how to utilize the UGetConnected software so students can begin using the tool early. I have also introduced the concept of Service Learning (and how that’s different from volunteering). I am able to share about Service Saturdays and other opportunities to engage with the local community. Past presentations have lasted from 15–60 minutes as I can adjust for what the instructor and students need. Let me know as soon as possible if I am able to join your class and which days/times would work best for you.
Here are more details on possible topics:
UGetConnected: Software Allows Viterbo to Connect with Community Needs
Karen Hurtgen, chair of the Viterbo Environmental Responsibility Committee, held a collection of electronics and other items to be recycled the week of Jan. 6–10. The truckload of items was then hauled to the City of La Crosse recycling event Jan. 11. The city event resulted in 14,000 pounds of materials being collected.
Viterbo faculty, administration, and staff are invited to present and/or attend the Celebration of Teaching and Learning Friday, Jan. 31, from 3:30–5 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center FSPA Lobby.
To attend, register online any time before Jan. 31 to join faculty and instructors from a variety of disciplines as we share teaching and learning experiences, instructional strategies, methods, and outcomes via 15-minute mini sessions. To present, register or contact Apryl Denny at aldenny@viterbo.edu by Wednesday, Jan. 22. Scholarly or informal work is welcome.
Attend to enjoy wine, beer, snacks, and the good company of colleagues and friends.
Distinguished Alumni Award nominations are sought for Rising Professional and Professional Achievement awards from each of Viterbo’s three colleges. Viterbo Alumni Association award nominations also are sought for Spirit of Francis and Service to the University awards. Nomination process information:
- Anyone may submit nominations.
- Nomination and criteria information and a submission form are on the alumni website.
- The alumni office will serve as the submission point.
- College-based nominations will be forwarded to the dean of each college for consideration by committees.
- Nominations will be considered for up to three years.
- Nominations deadline is Sunday, March 1.
Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards will take place on campus from 4-5 p.m. on the Friday of the Viter...
The outstanding German a cappella quintet Calmus will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
Hailing from Leipzig, the city in Germany closely associated with Bach and Mendelssohn, Calmus performs a diverse repertoire of music and has captivated both audiences and critics with its charming stage presence, flawless technique, and entertaining presentation.
Calmus has won numerous international prizes and competitions and the group has toured throughout Europe and North America. The musicians are tireless in their quest to discover new repertoire. They are naturally at home in the vocal music of the Renaissance, the Baroque and the Romantic, but they also revel in singing modern pop, folk, jazz, and golden oldies from the...
This is the first in a series of student profiles to be featured in Connections. The profiles are part of a project to articulate the Viterbo difference through storytelling. Have a student story worth sharing? Email ejtimmons@viterbo.edu.
By Eric Timmons
Melissa Edgar remembers one important detail about visiting Viterbo University before she was completely sure it was the right school for her.
Edgar is now a junior, majoring in biology and minoring in Spanish and ethics. But back then, as a recent high school graduate, she wasn’t fully sure where she’d end up and had visited Viterbo once, along with a larger public school. She’d spoken briefly to a professor on her Viterbo visit and when she returned for an accepted student event, she met him again.
“He referred to me by name...