Marquette Matters Nov. 2011

N OV E M B E R 2 011

MARQUETTE Sowing seeds of student success

Student Educational Services bolsters support for at-risk students

By Tim Olsen

t­ypically involve combinations of lower high school test scores and grade point averages, low‑income, firstgeneration and commuter.

Based on factors such as those, the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment and SES developed a predictive model over the summer to serve as an early alert system for at-risk students. SES is piloting an outreach effort to 50 of these students who might need additional assistance this semester and hopes to expand those efforts.

In another new development, when students were informed last spring of being on academic probaDJ Todd joined Student Educational Services in July, largely to serve Urban Scholar students such as Jose tion, many were referred Rosas and Isabel González. Urban Scholars have expressed the need for a counselor to work with them in to SES to discuss their chaltheir transition to college as first-generation students and to help keep them on track during the four years lenges and get the individual- of their funding. ized support they need.

“Each of our programs and services is designed Foundation) of Urban Scholars’ adviser. Todd works with the Urban Scholars (students from around our understanding of student learning,” Milwaukee-area high schools and Cristo Rey said Desotelle. “We provide novice college High School in Chicago with full-tuition scholar­ students opportunities to reflect upon and pracships) on issues ranging from transition to tice strategies and habits of mind that will lead to college to study skills, time management, choice not only better grades, their initial goal, but also of an academic major, access to engaged learning result in greater independence and success in experiences and career development. their approach to ­disciplinary learning.”

• JohnRae Stowers, former director of the To better serve students, SES recently added WAICU College Readiness 21 program, is the three new team members: academic services specialist, serving as the • DJ Todd, formerly with the Office of Student Affairs, has taken the newly created C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 position (funded by the Greater Milwaukee Photo by Kevin Pauly

At first glance, “helping students help themselves” may sound like little more than a quaint cliché. For Student Educational Services, however, it’s a mission-based concept embedded in the services provided to Marquette students — now more so than ever with a recent expansion of services.

“Not all students who seek tutoring are struggling students, if you look at GPA,” said Anne Deahl, associate vice provost for academic support programs and retention. “Many are doing very well, but part of the reason they’re doing well is that they seek help and learn skills to help themselves. We don’t do it for them, but teach them the skills to do it.”

SES assistance can come in the form of addressing study skills, test-taking, time management, note-taking, stress management, tutoring or referral to other campus services, such as counseling. SES also includes the Office of Disability Services, the Urban Scholars program and the grant-funded MARQ Your Path program.

Because of the key role that first-year success plays in overall progress to complete a degree, SES is introducing initiatives this year to work with student populations that may be at highest risk or might not otherwise seek out such services on their own, according to Deahl.

“Retention research at Marquette has shown that, overall, Marquette does an excellent job graduating the students it admits,” said Karen Desotelle, director of SES. According to US News and World Report, for example, Marquette’s “expected” graduation rate for 2010 was 73 percent, compared with its actual rate of 81 percent. “Some groups within the whole, however, do not fare as well,” said Desotelle.

“Certain demographic characteristics cluster around these sub-groups with graduation rates below the institutional average.” Indicators

CAM PU S H A P P E N I N GS Freedom-related projects, Metcalfe nominations sought

Benefits enrollment period runs through Nov. 11

The Office of Diversity is accepting proposals for Metcalfe chairs and symposia, exhibits, discussion series and other programming as part of the university’s Freedom Project, a year-long commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. Metcalfe chair nominations should include a letter from an academic department or college detailing the recipient’s scholarly contributions and relationship to the theme of the Freedom Project; a curriculum vita or bio sketch; budget summary; and tentative plan for the recipient’s visit. Nominations for grants of up to $2,500 for other programming related to the Freedom Project should include a two-page narrative with timetable, CVs of the participants and a detailed budget. Nominations are due Feb. 15, 2012. For more information, visit bit.ly/MUMetcalfe2012.

The benefits enrollment period runs through Friday, Nov. 11. Everyone choosing a medical plan, even if previously enrolled, must re-enroll at myjob. mu.edu. Those participating in a flexible spending account must also re-enroll.

On-campus biometric screenings for the two-part health risk assessment are available through Nov. 18 to all employees, whether or not they enroll in the Marquette health plan. Call 1-877-765-3213 and press “1” to schedule an appointment. Employees who complete the two-part health risk assessment receive a 10-percent discount on the employee portion of their 2012 medical premium, an increase from the 5-percent discount that was previously offered.

Integrating teaching and research to be discussed Dr. Abir Bekhet, assistant professor of nursing, will present “The Best Practices of Integrating Teaching and Research in Undergraduate Classrooms: How can you keep a large class engaged for three hours?” Friday, Nov.18, from noon to 1 p.m. in Raynor 320H. The program is presented by Manresa for Faculty as part of its Faculty Spotlight series, which features best practices and creative methods being used in Marquette classrooms. Register by emailing Mary Grant, office assistant, at mary.grant@marquette.edu.

Apply for phased faculty retirement benefit by Dec. 1 The deadline for tenured faculty to apply for the phased retirement benefit is 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, for the 2012–13 academic year. This new, phased retirement option is being offered in addition to the existing retirement benefit, which has the same application deadline. To be eligible for phased retirement benefits, a tenured faculty member must be eligible for retirement under University Policy and Procedure 4-18, including being at least 55 years of age and having a combined total age and years of full-time service with the university that equals at least 70. See bit.ly/MUphasedretirement for more information.

MARQUETTE MATTERS

Why I serve

By Sally Doyle

During the Inauguration of Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., as Marquette president, the campus community was invited to renew its commitment to service in betterment of our world. The Call to Service asks Marquette family members to sign the pledge, at marquette.edu/inauguration/callto-service-form.php, indicating a commitment to give service hours in the year ahead. Nearly 600 Marquette employees, alumni, students and friends had signed the pledge as of mid-October.

Sally Doyle, director of academic business affairs in the College of Business Administration, shared her motivation for the Call to Service with Marquette Matters.

I’ve been doing this since 2007 and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue the effort. When I attended Father Pilarz’s Inauguration, however, and he gave the call for service, I knew this was something that I had to continue. The children need it!

I became involved with the Allen-Field Elementary School when a friend witnessed a boy walking to school on a cold December day in 2007. His coat was worn and not nearly warm enough for the cold outdoor temperature, so his mother had a towel wrapped around him. I was incredibly touched by this story (to this day, I can hardly tell it without tears), so I decided to focus my personal efforts on making hats, scarves and mittens for children who attend this school.

I became acquainted with Ms. Meg Kitzke Strasser, a third grade teacher at Allen-Field.

She graciously accepted my offer to make warm items for the children, indicating that “every single day, she finds children who do not have the proper clothing to be outdoors in winter.”

Photo by Kevin Pauly

Depth of Thought, Depth of Imagination: Challenging Superficiality

“What motivates me to continue this effort year after year is simple: a donation of a single item can positively impact the life of a child. It isn’t often that our outreach efforts can have such an immediate and profound impact. A small thing — one pair of mittens — is all it takes to make a difference in the life of a child.” — Sally Doyle.

I collect items that others make all year, knowing that another winter will come, and the children will again need warm things. I shop clearance and rummage sales. I collect the unclaimed lost-and-found winter items from the COBA at the end of winter. I take the items home and wash them, and then save them for winter. I knit and crochet when I have time.

Last November I had some additional donations, and a friend dropped them off at AllenField. As she waited for Meg, a boy came into the office and asked the assistant if there were any hats left. My friend called me in tears. It was a sign to both of us that we were doing God’s will.

This winter, the holiday drive for the COBA and Graduate School of Management will be for hats, scarves and mittens for the children at Allen-Field.

In conjunction with the Presidential Inauguration, three Marquette educators and guest presenter Rev. Michael Zampelli, S.J., take up the challenge of the “globalization of superficiality” at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, in the Eckstein Hall Appellate Courtroom. The discussion at “Depth of Thought, Depth of Imagination: Challenging Superficiality” will be based on an address that Rev. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus, presented to Jesuit university leaders in April 2010 in Mexico City.

Father Zampelli, the Paul Locatelli, S.J., Professor of Theatre and Dance at Santa Clara University, will give the keynote address. Commentary will be provided by Steve Blaha, assistant director of campus ministry; Dr. Margaret Callahan, dean of nursing; and Dr. John Su, associate professor of English. Dr. John Pustejovsky, chair and associate professor of foreign languages and literatures, will moderate the 90-minute event. A reception will follow. See marquette.edu/inauguration/ academic-events.php for more information.

TAKE

Not-so-little woman

Photo by Tim Cigelske

Campus gets closer look at Louisa May Alcott

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Louisa May Alcott (left) was influenced by 19th-century transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau (right).

The series concludes this month. On Nov. 10 at the Raynor Memorial Libraries, Wadsworth will present “Louisa May Alcott: Literary phenomenon and social reformer,” and on Nov. 29 at the Milwaukee Public Library, attendees can view the second half of the Alcott documentary and participate in a discussion led by the professors.

“One of the highlights so far has been seeing how the series is bringing together people of different communities, professions, interests and stages of life,” Wadsworth said. “Alcott’s career had so many different facets to it, and in some ways the diversity of the audience reflects Alcott’s range as a writer.”

For more information, including a resource guide with books and websites about the author, go to marquette.edu/alcott.

Courtesy of Concord Free Public Library

She helped amputate the limbs of soldiers as a Civil War nurse. She was a professional actress who may have worked under a different name.

And she wrote pulp fiction tales about prostitutes, spies and murderers. There’s a lot you don’t know about Louisa May Alcott.

Indeed, the woman behind Little Women was deeper than Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. And thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and American Library Association, the Marquette and Milwaukee communities are exploring just how much so. “Louisa May Alcott: The woman behind Little Women” is a fiveevent series sponsored by Marquette University Libraries and the Milwaukee Public Library. The first three events occurred Sept. 19, Oct. 6 and Oct. 25 and included speakers, a screening of the 2008 American Masters documentary Louisa May Alcott: The woman behind Little Women and selected scenes from the 1994 film Little Women.

Drs. Angela Sorby and Sarah Wadsworth, associate professors of English, also led discussions about Alcott and her works.

“We’ve been able to showcase Alcott as a witness to the Civil War, a crusader for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery, and a savvy author of thrillers demanded by the marketplace,” said Susan Hopwood, outreach librarian, who received the grant with Sorby and Wadsworth.

Courtesy of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House/ L.M.A. Memorial Association

By Becky Dubin Jenkins

This “love fall on campus” photo has been the most retweeted of Marquette’s Twitter messages.

The five most retweeted messages from the Marquette Twitter account since it launched in October 2008, according to the Office of Marketing and Communication:

1) “Retweet this photo if you love fall on campus http://twitpic.com/6vien3,” Oct. 5, 2011 — 87 retweets.

2) “MARQUETTE! Let’s pick up more new followers than @UWMadison before Saturday’s tip-off. Please RT! #beatbucky #mubb @muathletics,” Dec. 9, 2010 — 66 retweets.

3) “Follow us and retweet this message to be entered for #mubb prizes when we hit 10K followers.

GO MARQUETTE! http://bit.ly/ringoutahoya,” March 18, 2011 — 65 retweets.

4) “The announcement you’ve been waiting for. Classes canceled at 4 pm today and the university closed tomorrow. Check email for info. #mkesnow,” Feb. 1, 2011 — 50 retweets.

5) “WE ARE! (clap clap) MARQUETTE! WE ARE! (clap clap) ...” March 20, 2011 (Marquette vs. Syracuse men’s basketball tournament game) — 45 retweets.

“Take Five” is a brief list concerning an interesting aspect of Marquette life. Email your list suggestions to marquettematters@marquette.edu.

Words to live by Writing center director envisions partnering with faculty

by Tim Olsen

about writing centers and co-taught the four-credit course students are required to take before they can become writing tutors.

As director of the writing center, Nowacek is looking forward to working with faculty to incorporate writing into their courses. “Teaching with writing is not an add-on, but a way to achieve course goals and engage students’ time and mental energy outside of class,” she said. She’s interested in speaking to academic departments about how to incorporate teaching writing into their curriculum, and to departments and individual classes about how the center can assist students.

The Ott Memorial Writing Center is served by eight undergraduate tutors (such as Emily Shackleton, left) Other priorities include: and four graduate tutors (such as Bryan Gast), plus Dr. Rebecca Nowacek, director (right).

• Assisting faculty “I like writing center work because it’s fun who are designing assignments for teaching to have moments when students move forward with writing; on a project — whether by clarifying an idea or • Holding faculty workshops; helping their text come together,” said Nowacek.

• Learning the creative ways in which faculty are already teaching with writing assignments; and “Intellectually, I learn a lot because I get to read about what kind of work is being done from all • Developing growth opportunities for tutors, over the university.” such as having them develop workshops.

Photo by Ben Smidt

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” “There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.”

“Call me Ishmael.”

If everyone could put words to paper as eloquently and consistently as Charles Dickens, C.S. Lewis and Herman Melville, there may be little need for writing assistance. But even the best writers struggle from time to time and can improve their own writing by discussing it with others. At Marquette, the Ott Memorial Writing Center in Raynor Library provides such assistance.

“We’ll help any writer on any project in any stage of writing,” said Dr. Rebecca Nowacek, director of the writing center and associate professor of English. “We’re not just for students with a paper in trouble.”

In fact, although the writing center is set up primarily to provide writing assistance to students from all academic areas of the university, its services are available to faculty and staff, as well, according to Nowacek. The writing project could be academic, Marquette-related, or not. This could be particularly helpful if employees get involved in writing projects that need assistance as they respond to the year-long Call to Service initiative.

Nowacek was appointed director of the center in June by Rev. Philip Rossi, S.J., interim dean of the Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.

She has written grants for “writing across the curriculum” workshops, conducted research

On the Side

Sign of the times

Todd Vicker – President of FC Milwaukee

Photo courtesy of Todd Vicker

Todd Vicker’s favorite part of being the executive director of Alumni Memorial Union and Auxiliary Enterprises is supervising more than 400 student workers.

It isn’t surprising then that his favorite aspect of serving as president of the FC Milwaukee soccer club is overseeing 500 youth soccer players.

“I enjoy my job at Marquette because the AMU is the center of campus life,” said Vicker. “I enjoy volunteering for FC Milwaukee because the league is dedicated to the development of youth.

It can be a transformational experience, just like a Marquette education.”

As president, Vicker leads a team of employees and volunteers, directs business operations, and develops partnerships and strategic plans to set FC Milwaukee apart from other state soccer programs.

All three of Vicker’s daughters played for FC Milwaukee and now attend Marquette. Mady and Sam play soccer, and Kenzie participates in track and field. Mady was a captain of the FC Milwaukee U-18 girls team that won a National Youth Soccer Championship in July, the only youth team from Wisconsin to ever do so. “My kids learned more than just soccer,” said Vicker.

“They learned the power of hard work, the importance of prioritizing, and how to compete and be a teammate.

“Marquette’s mission is all about inspiring people to go out in the world and make a difference,” said Vicker. “I believe in the value of team sports and the impact p ­ articipation can have on youth development.”

Photo by Ben Smidt

By Anne Spindler

Todd Vicker serves as president of FC Milwaukee, with which his daughter Mady won a National Youth Soccer Championship in July, before coming to Marquette.

“On the Side” offers a glimpse of faculty and staff interests outside of Marquette. Email your story suggestions to ­marquettematters@ marquette.edu.

Signs like this are being posted on campus buildings, including academic and office facilities and residence halls, indicating that weapons are not allowed. Such signs are required by state law to enforce the university’s no-weapons policy to the extent allowable under Wisconsin’s new concealed carry law. University policies, as well as student and employee handbooks, have been revised to reflect exactly what is and is not permissible. More information is available at marquette.edu/weapons-policy.

Marquette Matters is published monthly, except June, July and August and a combined issue for 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: Tim Olsen Graphic design: Nick Schroeder Copyright © 2011 Marquette University

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MARQUETTE MATTERS

Dental school expansion groundbreaking as early as spring 2012

By Kate Venne

As Wisconsin’s only dental school, the Marquette University School of Dentistry continues to lead the way as an innovator in providing dental education and oral health care as well as producing the majority of Wisconsin’s dentists.

The state has committed $8 million in the 2011–2013 biennial budget toward the $16 million needed for a 40,000-square-foot expansion to the Wisconsin Avenue facility, creating additional clinical, lab and classroom space.

Among the many benefits of the expansion, chief among them will be a larger faculty practice area and greater research space — both designed with recruitment and retention of faculty in mind.

“With the ability to recruit and retain an excellent faculty comes the opportunity to excel as a dental school,” said Dr. William Lobb, dean of the School of Dentistry.

The school hopes to break ground for the planned expansion in late spring 2012.

Additional operatories will provide increased service for the nearly 800 Marquette employees and their family members who took advantage of the faculty practice clinic in the past year.

The expansion also includes space for faculty and student translational and clinical research.

Capacity of the simulation lab where students develop motor skills and practice clinical ­procedures on state-of-the-art simulation units will be expanded to accommodate an increase in enrollment.

“The simulation lab and the classroom space will allow us to integrate technology and design features that we can use to be innovative and progressive in our pre-clinical teaching as well as enable us to offer continuing dental education for our graduates,” said Lobb.

When the expansion is complete, the school will be able to accommodate classes of 100 students each year, up 20 from the current class size, for an annual enrollment of 400 students.

Increased class sizes will help meet an anticipated demand for dentists — especially in underserved areas. A Wisconsin Dental Association workforce study recently found that, while the state has enough dentists to meet the demand until 2020,

The expansion of the School of Dentistry will allow the school to increase entering classes from 80 to 100 students.

more than half of Wisconsin’s professionally active dentists are between the ages of 50 and 64.

Central to the School of Dentistry’s innovative curriculum is a clinic-centered approach that allows students to work directly with patients early in their educational experience. The expansion will allow patient care clinics at the school to increase by an additional 24 operatories, which will allow the dental school to serve more patients.

Because the state dollars are contingent upon matching funds, the school recently launched a capital campaign — “Building for the Future” — to raise the additional $8 million. “‘Building for the Future’ exemplifies why Wisconsin has counted on the Marquette University School of Dentistry to meet the needs for excellent dental education and high quality clinical care for more than 100 years,” said Lobb.

“This expansion of our outstanding existing facility is critical to meeting those needs long into the future.”

SES

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1

first point of contact for colleges needing assistance in determining what help students need, as well as directly providing academic support services to at-risk students.

• Tina Rodriguez, administrative assistant, has relocated from the Office of the Provost to SES to provide overall staff support for the unit.

The tutoring service of SES will maintain its presence on the third floor of Alumni Memorial Union for the 2011–2012 academic year. Space on the fourth floor, formerly occupied by the Office of International Education, accommodates the new staff, a graduate assistant and Desotelle.

The Office of Disability Services and MARQ Your Path remain in the lower level of Marquette Hall, but plans for permanent space to create a unified “Student Success” unit are underway.

M A R Q U ET T E H AP P E NINGS University of Wisconsin law dean to present Boden Lecture

Holy Days to be performed at Helfaer Theatre

Margaret Raymond, Fred W. and Vi Miller Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin, will present the Law School’s Robert F. Boden Lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 4:30 p.m. at Eckstein Hall. In his speech, ‘“The Report of My Death Was an Exaggeration’ — Delaying the Postmortem on American Law Practice,” Raymond will discuss some of the social changes that are likely to affect the practice of law and the ways lawyers can be prepared to respond.

Register online at bit.ly/MUBoden2011.

The Department of Performing and Media Arts will present Holy Days, chronicling family life in the Dust Bowl, Nov. 10-20 in the Helfaer Theatre. In 1936, the Great Plains of Kansas were plagued with drought and decay in the wake of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Holy Days is the story of how one family remained rooted to its barren farm, haunted by loss and the memories of a once-prosperous life while so many Americans migrated to find work. Ticket prices for the public range from $16 to $20. Discounts are offered to senior ­citizens, Marquette students, employees and alumni. Contact the theatre box office at 8-7505 for tickets and show times.

Hoeveler recognized with international gothic criticism award

2011-12 enrollment up over last year

Dr. Diane Long Hoeveler, professor of English, has been awarded the Allan Lloyd Smith Memorial Prize, an international prize for gothic criticism, for Gothic Riffs: Secularizing the Uncanny in the European Imaginary, 1780-1820, which was published by Ohio State University Press in 2010. The winner of the prize was determined by a panel of past presidents of the International Gothic Association, an organization of more than 200 researchers from 25 countries.

Marquette enrolled 2,056 full-time, first-time freshmen for 2011, compared to 1,928 last year. Total enrollment, including part-time students, is up slightly to 12,002, compared to 11,806 last year. Undergraduate students number 8,387 (8,113 last year), while graduate and professional students total 3,615 (3,693 last year).