ON THE HILL

Abigail Eaton ’23, Theta Gamma Xi member and DEI chair, and her snowcone at this year’s Greek Carnival. The event was packed with students eager to make community after a college experience mitigated by global pandemic.

THE GREAT COMING TOGETHER

It is what so much of Gustavus is about. After online classes, online student org meetings, even online choir practice, the full return of in-person, on-campus life feels celebratory. Students packed the Involvement Fair. Attendance is up at campus events such as a Mario Kart tournament, a roller skating rave, group whittling, lessons and stories about Dakota history, Coming Out Week, the Diversity Leadership Council carnival, and the multiple events put on by the Organization for Latin American and Spanish cultures. Another case in point: a 120 percent increase in new Greek membership. Delta Phi Omega member Amber Krahn ’22 went through Greek recruitment two years ago—online. Her chapter has since doubled. Why? “For those who were on campus when COVID fi rst hit, it has been a lot harder to fi nd community here,” she says. Fraternities and sororities provide sought-after, intentionally rich community. “People are looking to socialize as much as they can and meet as many people as they can.” Kappa Sigma Chi member Ron Romero ’23, co-president of the InterGreek Council, agrees. “We were on it from day one,” he says. There’s been a shift in approach, too. “There’s a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion this year, to break stereotypes and stigmas about Greek life. We’re trying to get more people of di erent backgrounds involved.” To this aim, IGC has had guest speakers and critical dialogue sessions. Romero himself was hesitant about Greek life at fi rst. “But the guys made me feel like I belonged with them. They didn’t treat me any di erently because of my sexuality. I felt welcomed into their brotherhood.” And as this generation emerges from the distanced days of COVID, “It’s nice having guys I can count on while we work for the Gustavus community and the greater community.”

CHRISTMAS IN CHRIST CHAPEL 2022

A tradition since 1973, CinCC is the start of the Christmas season for many in the Gustavus community. More than 350 students bring a new program to life each year through music, dance, spoken word, and the visual arts. This year, it is a celebration in which heaven, earth, and all creation join Mary and Elizabeth, mothers of Jesus and John the Baptist, to proclaim with wonder, hope, and joy that the birth of Christ heralds into the world. It features the Gustavus Choir, Choir of Christ Chapel, Christ Chapel Ringers, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, Lucia Singers, and dancers.

Gather your friends and loved ones and watch this year’s CinCC—as well as past programs—via archive at gustavus.edu/cincc.

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION

The 2023 celebration will feature Justice Alan Page. He is the first African American on the Minnesota Supreme Court and one of the few associate judges elected to the court, a Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipient, and a former defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.

Attend in person at Christ Chapel or watch the livestream on Mon. Jan. 16 at gustavus.edu/mlk.

PRETTY GOOD NEWS

This summer, peace, justice, and conflict studies major Gabby Lavan ’23 was a Public Policy and International A airs Junior Summer Institute Fellow. The fully funded fellowship brought undergraduates from around the world to six participating schools in the United States for graduate-level study of major public policy issues, ranging from community safety to climate change. Lavan studied at the University of Washington.

Eight Gustie students conducted research through the Mayo Clinic’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). “It was great to see so many Gustavus students and have someone in my corner,” said Katie Lillemon ’24, a biochemistry and molecular biology major. Lillemon began her journey as an undergraduate researcher through the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) Program at Gustavus (see page 28). “Establishing connections makes a huge di erence,” said Ashley Ley ’23, a chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology double major. The experience was made possible through the Gilyard Peterson Scholarship, established by Tim Peterson ’83 in honor of his friend, Scott Gilyard ’83, who died of leukemia in 2021. The other Fellows were Tessa Bierbaum ’23, biology; Kade Copple ’24, biochemistry and molecular biology; Kimberly Hareland ’24, biochemistry and molecular biology and chemistry; Angel Obiorah ’24, chemistry; Blake Power ’23, biochemistry and molecular biology; and Annabel Smith ’24, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Katie Lillemon ’24 Ashley Ley ’23

Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection

Nov. 21–Jan. 27 | Hillstrom Museum of Art This exhibition brings together a rich array of works on paper and features prominent artists such as Claes Oldenberg (1929–2022) and Wayne Thiebaud (1920–2021). Showcasing 52 superb prints and drawings, it samples the breadth and beauty of International Arts & Artists’ own Hechinger Collection, which has the unique theme of hand tools and hardware. Focusing on the creative process rather than subject matter, the exhibited works represent a variety of media and disciplines at an artist’s disposal. It also includes this piece from alum Pier Gustafson ’78.

Pier Gustafson, Step Ladder with Can and Brushes, 1984, paper construction with pen and ink

JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOLY LAND

Twenty-one Gustavus alumni and friends studied as they toured the Holy Land of Israel and Palestine. They visited sacred sites and deepened their understanding of the complexity of the region from local Israeli and Palestinian friends. They connected with pastors Rev. Adam Miller-Stubbendick ’04 and his wife, Jordan, who are country coordinators of the Young Adults in Global Mission program for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They also connected with other ELCA ministry partners in the region, most significantly with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Among other activities, they walked and prayed along the Via Dolorosa— “The Way of the Cross”—and worshiped in the Garden of Gethsemane. The group was led by Ann Sponberg Peterson ’83, Rev. Grady St. Dennis ’92, and Gustavus professor emeritus in religion, Darrell Jodock. (Photo by Rev. Daryl Thul.)

This Founders Day, Oct. 31, Gustavus recognized three employees for their outstanding service and dedication. (Left to right) Troy Banse, head athletic trainer and director of strength and conditioning, received the Erik Norelius Award for the Outstanding Administrative Employee. Laura Boomgaarden ’93, administrative assistant in the Departments of Physics and Math, Computer Science, and Statistics, received the Augusta Carlson Schultz Award, which recognizes outstanding support sta . And Brandon Dean, Jon and Anita Thomsen Young Distinguished Endowed Chair in Music and Conductor of the Gustavus Choir, received the Faculty Service Award, the College’s highest recognition for distinguished service activities across campus. Founder’s Day commemorates the dedication of Old Main.

#whygustavus

$665,570 Amount raised on Give to Gustavus Day by a record 1,271 donors. The amount is 18 percent greater than that raised in 2021, and a record in Give to Gustavus Day history.

CAMPUS SOCIAL

@gustavusadolphuscollege @gustavusalumni INSTAGRAM

@gustavusadolphuscollege In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Dakota elder Joe Whitehawk came to campus to lead Gusties in conversation about the Dakota people, on whose homeland Gustavus Adolphus College was built. #whygustavus

@gustavusadolphuscollege On #NationalComingOutDay, Gustavus celebrates all members of the LGBTQIA+ community on campus. Wherever you are on your journey, Gustavus remains committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment to explore and express sexual and gender identities. @gustavus Students from over 25 countries proudly carried their flags in Chapel today in celebration of the many nationalities and cultures that make up Gustavus. #gogusties #whygustavus

@merylalper Had a blast being given a real Midwestern welcome today by @NobelConference and @gustavus to talk about my research with an all-star panel of youth mental health researchers! #nobel58

/gustavusadolphuscollege /gustavusalumni FACEBOOK

Have you ever painted the rock? This signature monument on campus has witnessed hundreds of holidays, celebrations, and eras at Gustavus. (The result? See page 14.)

10:00 a.m. Time for Reflection

Resilience is often described as being able to overcome adversity. We can go beyond this definition to imagine a way of living and being that gives hope, mutual aid, belonging, and connection.

—G. Nic Rider, assistant professor and Transgender Health Service Program

Coordinator, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, and Director, National

Center for Gender Spectrum Health, University of Minnesota Medical

School, speaking at this year’s Nobel Conference

TWITTER

Follow @gustavus, @NobelConference