Campus Connection - Nov. 24-30, 2008

Students in lab

Onalaska High School students George Xiong, left, and Toua Yang, study the mass of pennies by measuring the amount of water displaced by them in Kendric Nelson's E-mentors in Science and Mathematics program workshop "Funny Money."

Middle, high school students on campus to kick off E-mentors in Science and Mathematics program

Twenty middle school and high school students were on campus Nov. 14 to kick off the E-mentors in Science and Mathematics program. The program encourages one-on-one electronic mentoring among UW-L science and mathematics faculty and middle and high school students to form. The program encourages and supports students' interests in science and mathematics, and makes campus more accessible. Middle and high school teachers and counselors nominated many of the students to the program. One central aim is to encourage minority students to enter the sciences. UW-L's Continuing Education and Extension and Multicultural Student Services Office helped reach out to minority students.

 

Students participated two hour-long science workshops. Roger Haro, biology, taught students how insects breathe under water in "Animal Scuba Divers." He was assisted by UW-L River Studies Center and biology graduate students Reid Northwick and Katri Laukkanen.

In "Funny Money," a class taught by Kendric Nelson, chemistry, students investigated the weight and mass of pennies to determine the metals used. He was assisted by chemistry major Sarah Luchsinger and lab manager Laura Roessler.

 

Student at microscope
Logan High School student Kiswana Robinson examines a caddidsfly in Roger Haro's "Animal Scuba Diversworkshop." The insects spin silk under water to encase themselves in natural materials.

After the workshops, the students toured Cowley Hall and were joined by their parents and the science e-mentors. Haro talked about his experiences as a first-generation college student. Then students and parents talked with their individual e-mentors at dinner.

The students and faculty e-mentors will correspond throughout the year. There will be two more campus visits in January and early May.

The program is funded by a grant written by Susan Kelly, mathematics; and Penny Tiedt, Continuing Education and Extension. Faculty e-mentors are: Mike Abler, Faye Ellis, Haro and Peg Maher, all biology; Sue Anglehart and S.N. Rajagopal, both microbiology; Cynthia Berlin, geography; Sandy Grunwald and Kris Rolfhus, both chemistry; Jon Hasenbank, Kelly and Bruce Riley, all mathematics; and Kenny Hunt and Mao Zheng, both computer science.

The program is directed by Andrea Hansen, Continuing Education; and Grunwald, Haro and Kelly.

 

 

Dave Malecek
Dave Malecek

Malecek selected honorary coach for NWCA Classic

UW-L head wrestling coach Dave Malecek has been selected as one of four honorary coaches for the 43rd Annual National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic presented by the U.S. Marine Corps. The classic is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24, in St. John Arena at The Ohio State University in Columbus.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to coach at the all-star meet,” says Malecek. “I am honored to represent Division III and there is going to be some great matches.”

The event features the top ranked National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I wrestlers facing each other. Student-athletes from Cornell, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin will compete.

Other honorary coaches at this year’s event include Tom Ryan (Ohio State), Mark Manning (Nebraska) and Jim Makovsky (Minnesota State, Mankato).

ESPNU will air the event on tape delay. For details, visit UW-L's Athletics at www.uwlax.edu/athletics/.

Malecek his in his third season as UW-L’s head wrestling coach. He has led the Eagles to back-to-back top-three finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships, placing third in 2007 and second in 2008. For his efforts, Malecek was named the 2007 NCAA Rookie Coach of the Year.

Malecek has also guided UW-L to two straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles and has been selected the Mertz Mortorelli WIAC Coach of the Year both seasons. The Eagles, who are 34-3 in duals under Malecek, have won 11 consecutive conference crowns.

Turkeys

Class schedule changes this week

Thanksgiving break is late this week and with it comes a change in classes. Note that during the week of Thanksgiving, Thursday classes will be held Tuesday, Nov. 25. Friday classes will be held Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Thanksgiving recess begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. No classes will meet on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, or on Friday, Nov. 28. University offices are open Friday, Nov. 28.

Residence halls close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, and open 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Dining opens at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

Classes resume at the regular schedule Monday, Dec. 1.

If you go-
Who: Korean Percussion Ensembles
What: Concert
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25
Where: Annett Recital Hall, Center for the Arts
Admission: Free

UW-L's Korean Percussion and Women's Samulnori Ensembles Concert set for Nov. 25

Plan to attend the Korean Percussion Ensemble concert set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Annett Recital Hall, Center for the Arts. In spite of their short history, UW-L's Korean Percussion and Women's Samulnori Ensembles have performed on numerous occasions on campus, in local public schools and at state level conferences, as well as at national level professional conferences. The percussion instruments used in these ensembles are authentic from South Korea. Along with the exposure to Korean music culture, one of the groups' main goals is to ignite the desire to learn music and perform music well without previous musical training. This goal is affirmed by the fact that the majority of the ensemble members do not have a performance or musical background.

For more information, contact Soojin Kim Ritterling at kim.sooj@uwlax.edu.

Battle between the birds

Alumni cup is home opener for men’s, women’s basketball team

The 2008 Alumni Cup basketball games between UW-L Eagles and Viterbo University V-hawks are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25. The women’s game begins at 6 p.m., with the men’s at 8 in Mitchell Hall.

The men’s game will be the 20th Annual Alumni Cup between the two rivals. Fans are encouraged to dress in ’80s clothing. Prizes will be given away to the best dressed fans.

Tickets for the doubleheader are $4 for students who don’t attend UW-L or Viterbo, and $8 for others.

UW-L leads the men’s alumni cup series, 10-9, while the Eagles’ women cagers have a 10-6 advantage.

Student Nurses' Association to hold bake sale Nov. 25

The Student Nurses' Association is having a bake sale beginning 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Mitchell Hall during the Alumni Cup basketball games. The money made will go to help sponsor the Student Nurses' Association for Western Campus. Western Campus is a branch of UW-Madison's School of Nursing in La Crosse which collaborates with Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and UW-L. The nursing club is for pre-nursing and nursing students. The club donates to a food shelter monthly, volunteers for various community service and supports nursing students with new information and scholarships.

'The Future of Food' film to be shown Dec. 1

The film "The Future of Food" examines how market and political forces are changing what we eat. The free film will be shown at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in 337 Cartwright Center. The film explores how multinational corporations seek to control the world's food system and offers an in-depth investigation into the unlabeled, patented, genetically-engineered foods that fill U.S. grocery store shelves. It also examines health implications, government policies and globalization of genetically-altered crops in the food supply. The film gives a voice to farmers worldwide who are negatively impacted and offers alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, including organic and sustainable agriculture as solutions to the farm crisis.

The film is sponsored by the UW-L Progressives. Read more about the film at www.thefutureoffood.com/synopsis.htm.

Students to read works at creative writing event

Students in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction classes will read selections from the work they have completed this semester at a creative writing event from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center Gathering Place. Cider and cookies will be served. Everyone is welcome.

If you go—
What: Swinging Yuletide
Who: Great River Big Band, UW-L instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles, and the La Crosse Jazz Combo
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6
Where: Valhalla, UW-La Crosse Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition
Admission: $20 reserved; general admission is $5 for students and $10 for others.

Swinging Yuletide planned for UW-L

Annual concert features jazz holiday favorites

An upbeat performance of big band and vocal jazz holiday favorites is once again planned on campus.

The Great River Big Band will join the UW-L instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles, along with the La Crosse Jazz Combo, for a Swinging Yuletide. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition. Seating for the event is cabaret style. An annual visit by Santa Claus is expected during the concert.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $5 for students and $10 for others; or, reserved tickets for $20. Seating is limited; getting tickets early is recommend since the concert typically sells out. For tickets or more information, contact the Music Listening Lab in 145 Center for the Arts or at 785.8415.

Long-time campus social group welcomes everyone to holiday lunch

The Campus Dames, a long-time campus social group, invites interested UW-L faculty, staff and spouses to a holiday lunch Saturday, Dec. 6, in Piggy's Restaurant & Blues Lounge, 501 Front St., La Crosse. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon begins at noon.

The menu will include chicken sauteed with fresh rosemary, oven-roasted vegetables, wild rice pilaf, a freshly baked cookie, coffee, tea and milk. Cost is $12 each and includes tax and gratuity. Entertainment will be provided by UW-L's Chamber Chorale.

To reserve a spot, call Lynn Winter at 787.0147 or Terry Coulombe at 784.8433 by Wednesday, Nov. 26.

The Campus Dames is open to all faculty and staff — men and women — and their spouses. The group holds several social functions each year, sponsors an annual scholarship and offers many ways to get acquainted with the campus community. It including interest groups for bridge players, readers and parents and tots.

DodgeFest 2008 set for Dec. 6

Jump, dive, scream ... just don't get hit at the third annual DodgeFest tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Amie L. Mathy Center on the Viterbo University campus. This event is open to the La Crosse community, so bring friends from all three college campuses, as well as the community. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Register through Wednesday, Dec. 3, by completing a registration form at the Western Wellness Center or the Mathy Center front desks. Or print the form from www.viterbo.edu/recsports.aspx?id=41520. The registration fee is $45, which includes a participation T-shirt, official’s fees and prizes. Up to two additional shirts may be purchased for $6 each. There is a minimum of six individuals to a team, with a two female minimum, and the maximum for a team is eight. Each team will play in a pool play and then be seeded into brackets.

For more information, contact Joe Loomis at 785.9443 or loomis.jose@students.uwlax.edu or visit www.viterbo.edu/recsports.aspx?id=41520.

snowflake

Note UW-L’s Inclement Weather Plan

When inclement weather, including dangerous temperatures, snow, ice, wind or rain occur, how do you know if UW-L classes and events are being held? Call the events line at 785.8900, check the UW-L Web site or listen to local media broadcasts. UW-L’s inclement weather plan is invoked in the most serious times when conditions make travel to and from campus dangerously imprudent or other events cause serious safety concerns. When inclement weather or other events, such as electrical failure or chemical spills occur, closure is determined prior to 5:45 a.m. for day classes and 1:45 p.m. for evening classes and events. Based on changing conditions, the plan can be implemented at any time. Closure means all university classes and events are cancelled. It is state policy to keep state offices open even when severe weather exists. When the governor closes state government offices, this does not include the UW System or UW-L.

campus climate

Want a stress-free climate?

As we near the end of the semester, stress and tension levels may increase. Stress in the workplace comes from a variety of sources, including lack of job satisfaction or security, hostile relationships with coworkers or supervisors, physical environment, workload, organizational structure or any other number of climatic effects. Since the causes of workplace stress vary greatly, so do the strategies to reduce or prevent stress.

Generally, stress management should take place at its source. For example, if the workplace is too noisy, measures should be taken wherever possible to reduce sound. In addition to controlling stress at its source, it is important to control your own mental health. Some effective methods of controlling mental health include eating right and keeping healthy, building confidence, making time for family and friends, giving and accepting support, identifying and dealing with your moods, and learning what makes you happy and finding balance for this in your life. 

The best thing to remember, however, is that stress is normal and can even be good at times. But, when your climate becomes too stressful, use these tips and techniques to reduce stress, increase your job satisfaction and lessen the chance of burnout.

Campus Kudos

Keith Beyer, chemistry and environmental studies; Katherine Friesen, chemistry; and former chemistry majors Jameson Bothe and Benjamin Palet published an article in the Nov. 20 issue of the Journal of Physical Chemistry from the results of their research “Phase Diagrams and Water Activities of Aqueous Dicarboxylic Acid Systems of Atmospheric Importance.”

Matthew Cashion, English, published the short story "Nothing Ruins a Good Story Like an Eyewitness" in the fall/winter issue of The Northwest Review, published at the University of Oregon.

Betty DeBoer, Robert Dixon and Jocelyn Newton, all psychology, served as program planner, program chair and presenter, respectively, at the Fall 2008 Wisconsin School Psychologists’ Association convention in La Crosse Oct. 29-31. There were approximately 25 presentations by professionals from across the country at the convention attended by 280 people, mostly school psychologists from across Wisconsin.

Carl Foster, exercise and sport science, gave six lectures, including two keynotes, at the Heart Zones International Conference at the University of Denver Nov 13-16. His keynote lectures were “Future Trends in Exercise Science” and “Getting America Fit: Don’t Forget the Client Amidst the Data."

Delores Heiden, educational studies professor emeritus, conducted “Revisiting Guided Reading: Building Independent, Strategic Readers Through Questioning,” an in-service workshop for primary teachers in the Onalaska School District, Oct. 29. Heiden also presented “Families and Reading: Helping Your Child at Home” for the La Crescent Elementary School Title I parents’ organization Nov. 17.

Jason Kouba, International Education; Sara Sullivan, psychology; and Will Van Roosenbeek, Pride Center; along with Jon Jorgenson, Cultural Experiences Abroad; presented "Paris and LGBTIAAQQ Study Abroad”: UW-L's Study Abroad Advisors Network" at the NAFSA Regional Conference in Lincolnshire, Ill., Nov. 7.

Cecilia Manrique, political science/public administration, had her review of the book "Rightshore!: Successfully Industrialize SAP projects Offshore" by A. Hendel, et. al. published in the Oct. 22 issue of Computing Reviews.

human resources

New employee

Linda Pederson, custodian, Residence Life in Hutchinson Hall, Nov. 24.

Classified exam opportunity

Murphy Library is currently recruiting for a 100 percent librarian in the collections area. This is a Wisconsin Education Association represented position in pay schedule and range 13-01. For more information, including a full position description and how to apply, visit www.uwlax.edu/hr/employment. Or contact Kathy Ring at ring.kath@uwlax.edu or 785.6499. Deadline to apply 4:30 p.m., Monday Dec. 8.

thanks

Thank you everyone who extended their deepest sympathy/condolences for the loss of my father through cards, flowers and e-mails. It was and continues to be greatly appreciated. — Antoiwana Williams, Upward Bound Director

Classified ads

For rent

Two- to four-bedroom home, 6.5 acre lot, two bath, 25 minutes east of La Crosse. Available Jan. 10. References required. $ 800 a month, electric and gas not included. 608.786.2128 or ostrem.tabi@uwlax.edu.

Wanted

Sub leaser for apartment, 303 11th St. N., La Crosse, January to end of May. Rent is $ 255 per month, utilities not included (about $45 a month includes cable and electric combined. Includes free: 32" TV with remote, medium-sized dresser and computer desk. Queen-sized bed, negotiable price. Contact Rob at sorensen.robe@students.uwlax.edu or 262.470.8805.

Mormon Coulee 4-H members. One of the oldest 4-H clubs in the county seeks new members - children in grades kindergarten through high school. Members learn about everything from animals to space exploration, develop leadership skills and meet and work with others from our area and around the world. For more information about 4-H, visit http://lacrosse.uwex.edu/4h/index.html. To learn about the club which meets monthly on La Crosse's south side, e-mail cvmaren@mwt.net or call 788.4039.

Getting information into the Campus and Eagle Connections

The Campus Connection is published Mondays. The Eagle Connection is published Wednesdays when classes are in session. To submit information for inclusion in the Campus Connection or Eagle Connection, e-mail it to connectx@uwlax.edu. The deadline for the Campus Connection is noon Wednesday for the following Monday's edition. The deadline for the Eagle Connection is noon Mondays preceding the Wednesday edition. Refer students who are interested in writing or shooting photos for the Connections to Editor Sue Lee at lee.sue@uwlax.edu or 785.8497.

To view the Campus Connection online, see: www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/campusconnection/

Or go to the Campus Connection from UW-L's home page. Click on "More News" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Campus Connection link on the Campus News Resources page.

To view the Campus Connection calendar online, see: www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/campusconnection/calendar.html

Or go to the Campus Connection calendar from UW-L's home page. Click on "More Events" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Campus Connection calendar link on the Campus Event Resources page.

To view the Eagle Connection online, see: www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/eagleconnection/

Or go to the Eagle Connection from UW-L's home page. Click on "More News" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Eagle Connection link on the Campus News Resources page.

To view the Eagle Connection calendar online, go to www.uwlax.edu/universityrelations/eagleconnection/calendar.html

Or go to the Eagle Connection calendar from UW-L's home page. Click on "More Events" at the bottom of the page, then click on the Eagle Connection calendar link on the Campus Event Resources page.