A weekly publication by Loras College students
Vol. 90, Issue 1
Sept. 8, 2011
photo by Rajendra Thakurathi President Jim Collins, Chairman of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Bob Peacock and Director of Campus Dining Susan DuBois, cut the ribbon at the Cafe opening ceremony.
Technological leaps and bounds by MARY AGNOLI staff writer
For a moment, imagine a computer screen — the vibrant colors and shapes fill the screen as you watch a movie on Netflix, chat on Facebook, or play an online game. With a closer look, however, thousands of separate lines appear to dance across the screen in a variety of quickly changing hues, as you go from image to image. Imagine, now, having to tell your screen what color every one of those countless pixels should be at any given moment. This is just a small portion of what seniors Nicholas Burek and Thomas Griebel accomplished in a matter of weeks. In May, Burek and Griebel took first place in the Regional Digilent Design Contest for Engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. Digilent is an international company involved in electrical and computer engiphoto by Rajendra thakurathi neering programs across the globe. It hosts comGriebel(L) and Burek(R) petitions such as this all pose by their brainchild. over the world challenging students to think in new and creative ways. The duo was allotted 10 weeks to design and complete their project. “We spent a lot of time discussing, and yelling at each other back and forth about how we were going to design our work,” Griebel admits. “But the results speak for themselves.” And the result was a completely functional, programmable, and user-friendly gaming console (“think of a Wii or Xbox, but a lot simpler”) using what appears to be just a
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Cutlery shines in Cafe opening ceremony by RAJENDRA THAKURATHI and EMILY FULL staff writers
The freshly-refurbished Cafe began serving once again at the start of the new semester. To christen the new eatery, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Tuesday in the Alumni Campus Center concourse. ARAMARK Higher Education, in partnership with Loras College, unveiled its million dollar renovation project amidst the small function attended by Dubuque Chamber of Commerce members, students and public. After cutting the ribbon, director for the Campus Dining Susan DuBois said she was excited for the changes. “We wanted to give students a better dining experience,” she said. “With the renovation, we have tried to eliminate the institutionalized feel through comfortable seating, among others.” ARAMARK Food Services has nourished the bellies of Loras students since 1974, and over the years has gone through many transformations. Talking at the function, Loras President Jim Collins gave thanks where it was due. “This has been possible through the initiative of some students’ leaders,” he said. “It’s a diamond in the rough,” said Bob Peacock, chairman of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. “On average, we have two ribbon-cutting ceremonies in Dubuque. That shows development and progress is on its way. Here we have a member of the chamber announcing its renovation.” Along with the new look, the new Cafe has a variety of new stations and a new menu to offer to its students.
“We’ve added new, healthier options for healthier dining,” said DuBois There is also an improved Asian station that has fresh veggies and can be made to order, along with a grill station, pizza and pasta area, condiment station, and enhanced dessert bar. Meanwhile, there are other stations for exhibition, including a back-of-house grill, and a deli, soup, and salad bar. The Cafe renovations also converted the old seating and dining layout to an updated version that includes a cyber area, allowing students to work while enjoying food. Also added was more counter space with higher seating, booths for more enclosed seating, a little purple and gold decal to show some school pride, along with a new dishdisposing area completely hidden so the kitchen noise is kept at bay from the students. New televisions add an improved, welcoming feel to dining students. But DuBois envisions the space for more than just entertainment and food. “Something we are trying to implement in the near future is allowing students to use the dining area as a place to meet and work on homework after serving hours,” said DuBois. She further added that her team has contributed a great deal of time, energy and a commitment to excellence to ensure a wonderful dining experience. ARAMARK was interested in making some changes and along with Loras’ Physical Plant, action was able to take place throughout the summer. DuBois was quite pleased with how
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From the President Dear Loras Students,
Unveiling the Grotto The popular worship center takes a trip across campus.
Turn to Page 2 for more.
photo by RAJENDRA THAKURATHI
I offer a special welcome to all new students and a special welcome back to all returning students. I hope you had a good summer and are finding the early days of campus life rewarding. You’ll note there are a number of physical improvements to the campus. The Graber Center renovation is complete and the Grotto has been beautifully transitioned to the center of campus. Within the next few days, the Campus Dining Room renovation will be finished and I am thrilled with the positive comments I’ve heard already. Sometime next week, we will begin Phase One construction efforts for Loras Parkway (formerly Cox Street.) As a residential college, these improvements are pursued with the hope of enhancing your overall campus experience. During the past few weeks, Loras received more national recognition. Washington Monthly ranked Loras as 12th among all baccalaureate colleges in
the nation for its commitment to service. In addition, Loras was cited as only one of twenty Catholic colleges nationally to be listed as a College of Distinction. These accolades further underscore the value of a Loras degree. Thus, all of us at Loras believe you have chosen your soon-to-be alma mater well. You are blessed to be part of a campus community comprised not only capable faculty and staff, but a group of professionals who are committed to ensuring your total growth and development — spiritually, academically, physically and personally — during your Loras experience. To that end, work hard to do and be your very best, make good decisions, and access the great people of this College when you need assistance. Let’s have a great year. God bless and go Loras. — Jim James E. Collins ’84 President