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MARQUETTE Behind the scenes with Marquette’s third-shift custodians It’s common knowledge that the busiest people get the most done. A similar version of that saying is true on Marquette’s campus — the people who sleep the least get the most done. “A lot of people don’t realize that Marquette doesn’t shut down at night or on the weekends,” said Bob Pach, service manager in Facilities Services, who co-manages Marquette’s 45-person, third-shift custodial staff with Cheryl Haskey, service manager. “We’re walking in for a full night of work after everyone else has left.” Sunday through Thursday nights, Pach’s day begins at 9:30 p.m. when he arrives on campus. He first checks in with the second-shift maintenance mechanic to determine if there are any immediate custodial needs or maintenance situations that need monitoring during the night. Next, Pach walks through each of the buildings he oversees to touch base with his crew and discuss future events and planned projects. As he approaches each building, he can tell which members of his staff are working by the type of music being played. Jennifer Smith, custodian II in the Alumni Memorial Union, prefers to listen to her iPod as she works each night from 11:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Smith has been a part of Marquette’s third-shift custodial crew for six months, and says cleaning is a seven-and-a-half-hour workout because of the sheer amount of space covered each night. “If you see it, we clean it,” she said. When she isn’t trying to catch up on sleep, Smith can often be found studying to complete her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. Most semesters she takes an 8 a.m. class, which helps her feel connected to the rest of the campus community. One of Smith’s favorite things about her job is her coworkers, because Marquette “feels like a family.” Another member of the third-shift staff, Randy Kasten, custodian II in the Al McGuire Center, echoed that sentiment, adding that the
Photo by Kevin Pauly
By Lynn Sheka
While the rest of campus sleeps, Jennifer Smith, a third-shift custodian, prepares Lalumiere Language Hall for another day of academic endeavors.
shared experiences of working in darkness and the constant lack of sleep help bring the thirdshift crew together. Although he jokes that everyone working the third shift invests in Mountain Dew and coffee, Kasten is proud of the work he does each night. “Marquette is a small-city university known throughout the country. There’s a level of prestige when I tell people I work here,” Kasten said. “The buildings we’re working in are beautiful and people from all over the country come to visit them. We feel good knowing we’re a part of their Marquette experience.” The work Pach and his team do is closely tied to faculty, staff and students’ daily Marquette experiences, because after midnight, the thirdshift custodial crew is responsible for all custo-
dial and maintenance situations on campus. The Department of Public Safety calls an emergency phone Pach carries with him during his shifts to alert him to anything that needs to be handled immediately. “In my 12 years as a third-shift manager, I’ve seen my share of e mergencies, from overflowing toilets to malfunctioning elevators to 400 gallons of water flooding the lobby in Abbottsford Hall,” he said. One of Pach’s most memorable days on the job happened during the major Midwestern blizzard last February. Although the university was closed, he and the rest of the third-shift custodial staff reported to work before the heaviest snow hit. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4
CAM PU S H A P P E N I N GS Biological Sciences Seminar Series continues in March The Department of Biological Sciences will host a seminar titled, “Determining the Environmental Impact of Nanomaterials,” given by Dr. Rebecca Klaper, associate professor of freshwater sciences at the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee, on Friday, March 23, at 3:30 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. The series will continue with a lecture titled, “GABAB Modulation of L-type Calcium Channels: Our ‘Current’ Understanding,” given by Dr. Michelle Mynlieff, associate professor of biological sciences, on Friday, March 30, at 3:30 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. Contact the Department of Biological Sciences at 8-7355 for more information.
Next Law School Poll will be discussed March 27 The results of the third Marquette Law School Poll will be the topic of “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” Wednesday, March 27, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. Released monthly throughout the year, the Marquette Law School Poll provides a comprehensive, independent survey of voter attitudes in Wisconsin during this historic election year. The polling initiative is led by Charles
Franklin, visiting professor of law and public policy, and a nationally recognized expert in polling and voter analysis. Other faculty in the Law School and across campus will also provide context and analysis throughout the year.
Higher education finance expert to deliver Marburg Lecture Dr. Ronald G. Ehrenberg, Irving M. Ives Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations and Economics at Cornell University, will deliver the annual Marburg Memorial Lecture Wednesday, March 21, at 4 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries’ Beaumier Suites. An expert in the economics of higher education, Ehrenberg has served as a consultant to faculty, administration and trustees at a number of universities on issues relating to tuition and financial aid policies, as well as other budgetary and planning issues. In 2002, he wrote Tuition Rising, an examination of the American higher education system. The Marburg Lecture is named in honor of the late Theodore F. Marburg, a long-time member of Marquette’s Department of Economics, and provides a forum for the discussion of moral, philosophical and social dimensions of economic issues.
MARQUETTE MATTERS
Way Klingler Award winners studying Alzheimer’s, literacy By Lynn Sheka
Fascinated with memory Way Klingler Sabbatical Fellowship Award
Photo by Dan Johnson
Ever since she was a child, Dr. Kristy Nielson, professor of psychology and immediate past chair of the Department of Psychology, has been fascinated with the human memory. As she progressed in her career, Nielson parlayed her interest into a specialization in cognition, and specifically, the aging brain and Alzheimer’s. Nielson will spend her year-long Way Klingler Sabbatical Fellowship using electroencephalography (EEG) technology to study the timing and sequence of brain waves during specific cognitive tasks performed by adults older than 60. The study’s participants will be divided into two groups — those who have the apolipoproteinE-ε4 (APOE) allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s — and those who do not. Working with research assistant Christina Figueroa, Nielson will administer various cognitive tasks to participants, who will wear EEG caps with 64 sensory nodes that record brain wave activity. Nielson isn’t just looking for accuracy during the tasks. Rather, she’s trying to map which parts of the brain are responding and in what sequence. “We’re interested in the patterns and differences in the ‘when and where’ within the brain for people with the APOE gene and people without it.” Nielson’s goal is to pinpoint areas of the brain and specific brain wave patterns that distinguish people at risk for Alzheimer’s from those who are not. She can then observe those factors over a period of time to see if they predict cognitive decline. Once successful predictors of the disease have been pinpointed, they can be used as targets for intervention. “We’ve known for at least 30 years that with the population living longer, Alzheimer’s would be a huge public health concern, and a very important and difficult problem to solve,” Nielson said. “I would love to see someone put me out of business tomorrow, because that would mean we’ve figured it out.”
Dr. Kathleen Clark, associate professor of educational policy and leadership, and Dr. Maura Moyle, assistant professor of speech pathology and audiology
An interdisciplinary approach to early literacy education
Photo by Dan Johnson
Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Award
Dr. Kristy Nielson, professor of psychology
Dr. Kathleen Clark, associate professor of educational policy and leader ship, and Dr. Maura Moyle, assistant professor of speech pathology and audiology, were working together on a research grant when they realized that their students have opposite strengths and weaknesses when it comes to literacy education. While many speech-language pathologists work in school settings after graduation, they receive limited hands-on training in collaborating with classroom teachers. Conversely, elementary education students are expected to place literacy and language development high on their list of learning outcomes as educators, but opportunities to actually instruct culturally and linguistically diverse children in the areas of phonological awareness and oral language development are limited. To combat this need, Moyle and Clark, who also serves as director of the Hartman Literacy and Learning Center, developed an interdisciplinary course that will teach undergraduates in Marquette’s education and speechlanguage pathology programs to collaborate on language and literacy development, particularly for urban, low-income children. The team-taught course will be available for up to 32 students from both programs this fall. Besides teaching language acquisition methods, the course will also emphasize new approaches to collaboration and coaching to help students work together and learn from the other discipline. “Literacy, especially in culturally diverse children, is a huge task that takes many different viewpoints,” Moyle said. “School models are changing to accommodate extra professionals in the classroom to support literacy, and this course is preparing students to hit the ground running and effect real change.” Education and speech language pathology students who take the course will work together to design and implement a full program of literacy instruction for children from the Hartman Literacy and Learning Center’s local partner schools. Students will also collaborate on case study research assessing the learning outcomes of the children they instruct, culminating in a research poster session at the end of the semester. “We’re hoping our course will increase cross-disciplinary collaboration, especially when colleges can work on mutual goals across disciplines,” Clark said. “One of the biggest advantages of this type of learning is that students graduate with a broader perspective and a different way of thinking.”
School of Dentistry dean honored for innovation in dental education The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) has recognized William K. Lobb, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., dean of Marquette’s School of Dentistry, with a 2012 William J. Gies Award for innovation as a dental educator. The Gies Awards, according to Gary Stafford, D.M.D., chair of general dental sciences at Marquette, are like the Oscars for dental education — receiving an award is a very prestigious honor. Stafford is a member of the Dental School’s Committee on Change and Innovation, the group that nominated Lobb for this national award. The committee cited his leadership in gaining funds and support to build Marquette’s new dental school 10 years ago, and for developing an innovative curricular model that still serves as a benchmark in instructional practice today. “Lobb advocated for a change in how dental education was to be provided to meet the needs of 21st century dental practitioners,” wrote the nominating team. The constantly evolving curriculum incorporates a comprehensive care group model, which includes early clinical experiences, evidencebased decision making, integration of content and instruction, community outreach, and rounds-based education. Lobb is still active and engaged with the curriculum today and practices in the School of Dentistry’s Orthodontics Clinic each week. He is also working toward a second-generation expansion of the school to build research
Photo by John Nienhuis
By April Beane
William K. Lobb, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., dean of the School of Dentistry, will receive the prestigious William J. Gies Award for his innovative approach to dental education.
facilities, expand faculty practice opportunities and position the school to increase class size. The state of Wisconsin has already committed $8 million to the project in its 2011-2013 biennial budget, and the School of Dentistry is raising $8 million in matching funds through its Building for the Future Campaign. The Gies Awards, named after dental education pioneer William J. Gies, Ph.D.,
On the Side
Chris Perez – Marquette football fanatic
honor individuals and organizations exemplifying dedication to the highest standards of vision, innovation and achievement in dental education, research and leadership. Lobb will accept the award at the 2012 ADEA Annual Session and Exhibition in Orlando, Fla., on March 19.
TAKE
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Photo by Ben Smidt
Raynor Memorial Libraries’ top five most-circulated books during the 2010-2011 academic year were:
By Alexa Porter
Marquette’s football program may have disbanded in 1960 due to debt and poor performance on the gridiron, but for Chris Perez, assistant dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, Marquette’s Golden Avalanche football team is ever present. One entire wall of his office in Olin Engineering is covered with an extensive collection of programs, pennants, media guides and other memorabilia from the days when Marquette’s football team played each fall weekend at Marquette Stadium and County Stadium. A Marquette graduate and sports fanatic, Perez began his Marquette sports memorabilia collection by accident in 1998, when he was hired by the university as a computer support engineer. Perez was perusing eBay in search of Marquette pennants to decorate his new office when he stumbled upon Marquette football memorabilia dating from the 1920s. He started bidding — and winning — and his collection was born. Although his office contains sports memorabilia from both Marquette’s football and basketball teams, it is the football artifacts that have been the biggest conversation starter for students and parents who drop by. “They’ll say, ‘I remember when Marquette had a football team,’ and then launch into stories about the stadium at 36th and Clybourn,” Perez said. He eventually plans to donate his vast collection to University Archives so those stories continue to be shared. Would Perez like to see football make it back to Marquette one day? “It’s a nice dream to have,” he admits. For now, Perez will continue to relive Marquette’s football days from the comfort of his office, and root for Marquette’s basketball team each spring. “On the Side” offers a glimpse of faculty and staff interests outside of Marquette. Email your story suggestions to m arquettematters@marquette.edu.
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett 3. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson 4. H arry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 5. The Shack by William P. Young “Take Five” is a brief list about an interesting aspect of Marquette life. Email your list suggestions to marquettematters@marquette.edu. Marquette Matters is published monthly during the academic year, except for a combined issue in December/January, for Marquette University’s faculty and staff. Submit information to: Marquette Matters – Zilber Hall, 235; Phone: 8-7448; Fax: 8-7197 Email: marquettematters@marquette.edu Editor: Lynn Sheka Graphic design: Nick Schroeder Copyright © 2012 Marquette University
MARQUETTE MATTERS
Marquette Moms: A support network for Marquette’s working mothers By Lynn Sheka
Photo by Dan Johnson
Photo courtesy of Brigid Alba
When Brigid Alba had her first child in fall 2009, she knew being a mother would change her life. What she wasn’t prepared for was the guilt she felt as she transitioned back to her role as assistant to the vice president in the Office of Mission and Ministry after her maternity leave. While talking with other new moms around campus, Alba learned she wasn’t the only one feeling that way, so Above: Members of Marquette Moms (and a few dads) enjoy a play date at The Big Backyard. she asked the Faber Center for Right: Left to right: Jack Dooley, son of Stacie Dooley; Renee Anderson, assistant director, Krueger Ignatian Spirituality if it would Child Care Center; Stacie Dooley, associate dean of Residence Life for University Apartments and provide space for new moms Off Campus Student Services. The on-campus Child Care Center is another way Marquette supports to have lunch and discuss their its working mothers. shared experiences. The Faber Center offered to fund two lunches moms at Marquette,” said Coffey-Guenther. “It is especially helpful as moms transition each semester for the fledgling group, and back to work while missing their infants, as Dr. Kathy Coffey-Guenther, director of Ignatian they discern when to focus on broadening their programs and associate director of the Faber families, and even for support during difficult Center, volunteered to lead guided discussions on relevant parenting topics during the meetings. circumstances, such as a child’s illness or the loss of a pregnancy.” Ten Marquette mothers attended the first Elizabeth Wieland, office associate in meeting of the New Moms group in January University Advancement, was one of the new 2010, where the conversation ranged from mothers at the group’s very first lunchtime newborns’ unpredictable sleeping patterns meeting. She has found Marquette Moms to to the pros and cons of using cloth diapers. be an invaluable support network, especially “I came away from that first meeting thinking since none of her closest friends have this group was the perfect place to share my children. An average of 25 women attend each feelings and questions with people who underMarquette Moms lunch, and members often stood exactly what I was going through,” Alba exchanges emails in between meetings about said. “I had other moms saying to me, ‘Here’s everything from the best place for children’s what I did. Here’s my story,’ and it helped me swimming lessons to recommendations for see that I’d figure it out, too.” baby photographers. Since then, the group has grown and diversi“Because Marquette values care for the whole fied to include mothers of children of all ages person, I’ve found that the university is very — prompting the New Moms group to change understanding of the challenges of being a its name to Marquette Moms in September 2011. working mother,” said Wieland. “I feel so lucky It now includes Marquette faculty and staff from to work at a place where you can identify a need a variety of departments who share the bond of and your employer supports you by providing motherhood, and has helped forge new connectools to meet that need.” tions between women who previously had little Mothers interested in joining Marquette interaction on campus. Moms can email Wieland at elizabeth.wieland@ “The Marquette Moms group brings a sense marquette.edu. of community, support and wisdom for working
Third-shift custodians
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Snowplows didn’t make it to campus until 3 a.m., and many of the third-shift staff were stranded on campus until 11 a.m. the next day. Pach made sure everyone was accounted for and had a way to get home. On normal days, Pach leaves campus at 6 a.m. and heads home to nap for two hours before either babysitting his granddaughter or looking after his elderly father. He tries to take another nap from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then his day starts all over again. While he admits he drinks a lot of coffee and that working the third shift isn’t for everyone, Pach said he enjoys “interacting with my staff, the independence and quiet, and the fact that I always have to be ready to think on my feet.”
M A R Q U ET T E H AP P E NINGS Spring break holiday hours University departments and services with special and restricted hours of operation for spring break, March 10 to March 18, include: the Alumni Memorial Union, the ITS Help Desk, Raynor Memorial Libraries, the Rec Center, the Rec Plex, the Spirit Shop and Union Sports Annex. Visit specific department and services websites to determine special hours of operation during spring break.
Marq Our Words offers opportunity to practice public speaking Faculty and staff interested in sharpening public speaking skills by practicing conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches and providing constructive feedback in a supportive environment should attend a meeting of Marquette’s Toastmasters International chapter, Marq Our Words. Marq Our Words meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month over the lunch hour. Find locations for upcoming meetings at marqourwords.tumblr.com.
On-campus physical therapy available at Sports Rehabilitation Clinic Marquette employees and students suffering from an injury that will not heal, a nagging pain or a new injury, can make an appointment at the Marquette Sports Rehabilitation Clinic, located in Cramer Hall, 215. Licensed clinical physical therapy faculty are available to offer expert opinions and treatments, including physical therapy and athletic training services, X-ray services and free injury e valuations. To schedule an appointment, call 8-1400 or visit marquette.edu/pt-clinic.
Engage with Marquette on social media Share memories and current Marquette inspiration by following the university on its newest social network, Pinterest, at pinterest.com/marquetteu/. Experience a virtual bulletin board of campus scenery, Marquette Magazine photography, vintage throwbacks and blue and gold visuals. Also, be sure to “like” Marquette on Facebook and follow the university on Twitter for real-time updates about campus happenings. Visit marquette.edu/social/ for a full list of social networks that Marquette participates in.