PLU Scene ~ Spring 2003 ~ Here & Now

HERE & NOW

China Symposium will bring acclaimed speakers on broad topics

This spring is a banner semester for speakers at PLU, with the annual Spring Lecture Series already under way and the public symposium on China set for April.

Nawang Dorjee, director of education for Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharasmsala, India, kicked off the lecture series in February with "Tibetan Culture and History: An Insider’s Perspective." Steven Mintz, history professor at the University of Houston, gave the Schnackenberg Lecture for 2003: "Beyond Sentimentality: The History and Future of America's Families and Children." Dr. Carolyn Osiek, professor of New Testament studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, gave the spring Religious Studies Lecture, "Sex and Power: The Bible on Women and Men." Jeri Laber, founder of Human Rights Watch, presented this year’s Women’s History Lecture.

Lloyd Axworthy, the Canadian foreign minister who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for his work on banning landmines, will present, "Human Security: From the Landmine Treaty to the Responsibility to Protect" on March 19.

In recognition of Earth Day April 24, David Orr will speak on "Leadership in a Vacuum: Colleges and the Question of U.S. Sustainability." He chairs the Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College and is known for his pioneering work on environmental literacy in higher education.

Also coming in April is a major symposium examining China’s place in the global community and contemporary issues related to Chinese culture, economy and society.

"China: Bridges for a New Century" takes place Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11, at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Tacoma, and is hosted by the Wang Center for International Programs.

"This will be a very stimulating conference, providing multiple points of view and avenues for cross-cultural engagement," said Janet Rasmussen, director of the Wang Center. Speakers from China, Japan, Norway and North America will discuss economic development, business and trade, health care, human rights, youth culture and school reform, technology, spiritual life and the arts. Former US Ambassador to China, J. Stapleton Roy, is among those giving keynote addresses.

This inaugural public symposium for PLU’s Wang Center also features an "Educating for Peace Day" to be held on campus Wednesday, April 9, and a program on contemporary Chinese film with noted movie director Wu Ziniu on Saturday, April 12.

Visit Encore! for more on the China Symposium.

$2 million grant to help students discover their place in the world

Students will explore ways to serve their communities and the world in meaningful ways through a grant of nearly $2 million awarded to the university from the Lilly Endowment.

"The receipt of this large grant will greatly assist the university in realizing the highest ideals for Lutheran higher education," President Loren J. Anderson said. "We prepare our students to think critically and be engaged in society, and we hope this intellectual journey will be personally transforming for them."

The grant will enrich the university’s current offerings and provide major support for faculty, students and staff.

One of the core tenets of PLU’s mission is to help students discover their calling or "vocation" and to find ways to use their talents to serve others, so this project is called "Exploring Vocation at PLU." The university was one of only 39 institutions to receive funding from the Lilly Endowment for this project this year.

Lilly Endowment, Inc. was established in 1937 by members of the Lilly family as a vehicle by which to pursue their personal philanthropic interests.

Jimmy Carter and Bill Foege share dreams and accomplishments

Dr. Bill Foege ’57 and former President Jimmy Carter always have high praise for each other. And both seem to have a way of deflecting admiration and passing it on to others, seeking action rather than credit. But they also celebrate each other’s achievements.

When Carter received one of the world’s greatest honors – the Nobel Peace Prize – in December in Oslo, Norway, his friend Foege was there.

"It was not only wonderful to see his efforts acknowledged and recognized, but to hear the compelling speech he gave," Foege said. "His life and his hopes for the future were in
that speech."

Foege, a member of the PLU Board of Regents and an internationally recognized expert in global health issues, admires Carter and his humanitarian efforts. Carter calls Foege one of the most influential people in his life. Those words were repeated during the broadcast of a recent PBS documentary on Carter.

In 1977, President Carter appointed Foege director of the Centers for Disease Control. Carter called on Foege’s expertise once again in 1986 when he named Foege executive director of the Carter Center, a nonprofit public policy center founded by Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter to fight disease, hunger and poverty.

"At the Carter Center, we have a motto (Bill) helped conceive," Carter wrote in supporting Foege’s nomination for the prestigious Lasker Award for his advances in medicine. "The only failure is not to try.’ "

Foege led the effort to eradicate smallpox worldwide, and is now speaking out against the national plan for mass vaccinations because of the threat of terrorism. Smallpox vaccines are unique in that they protect against disease up to four days after exposure, he said, so typical preemptive immunization is not necessary. And given the risks of the vaccine, he said it’s more prudent to save it in case of an outbreak.

University will study water issues and develop plan

A $40,000 grant from the Russell Family Foundation will allow an in-depth study of water-related issues at PLU. By the end of the year, PLU will develop a comprehensive plan for storm water and water conservation on campus.

"It’s very important for the university to look at water use, which is becoming one of the most important environmental issues around the country and world," said Chuck Bergman, project director for the grant. Bergman is an English professor and environmentalist (See Perspective, back page). Co-director is Sheri Tonn, vice president for finance and operations.

The grant, which will support a collaborative campus effort on sustainability with a water focus, runs throughout 2003. Among other things, the grant will fund a one-week workshop for a broad group of faculty, staff and students. Many environmental studies faculty members will redesign their courses to include expanded study of water issues.

Computer students take first and second at regional conference

Lute computer wizards ran away with the top two prizes at a regional competition last fall.

The juried competition was staged in conjunction with the Northwest regional meeting of the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges. Seven undergraduate teams submitted abstracts describing their research or special project. PLU placed first and second. A third team won honorable mention.

The first place award went to Ludvig Ungewitter ’03 and Tobias Mann ’03 for "Simulation of a Disassembly-to-Order System." Their faculty adviser is Tosh Kakar.

Nathan Yocom ’02 and Michael Wright ’02 earned second place honors with "pGina: Graphical Identification and Authentication." Ken Blaha advised them on the project.

Bryce Brockman ’03 earned honors for "MPIGALib: Library for Island Model Parallel Genetic Algorithms" with guidance from faculty adviser David Wolff.

Activist clubs work together to share goals and encourage action

Students from activist clubs across campus banded together last fall to form the Student Activist Coalition.

The club includes representatives from such clubs as the environmental organization GREAN, Feminist Student Union and Advocates for Social Justice.

Anna Hasselblad ’04, co-president of Advocates for Social Justice, said other clubs are still joining.

SAC is a group of like-minded people with a lot of energy and interest in the same things, Hasselblad said. "One of the main goals of SAC is educating and critical thinking, taking a proactive stance and going out and making some noise," she said.

Teach-ins, protests and lectures are the types of activities the club may participate in.

"Part of being a privileged American who attends a liberal arts school is serving other people and using your education," Hasselblad said.

Another goal of SAC is for different clubs to work together so they know what the other is doing. SAC will also enable individual clubs to network on campus and increase connections off-campus.

To join SAC, a club must be proactive and get involved with issues that serve the community.

By Lindsey Trauba ’05
Mast news intern

Northwest Lutheran Choir seeking voices for new alumni-led choir

Deuane ’75 and Karen (MacClellen ’74) Kuenzi will organize and direct a new group they have recently created, The Northwest Lutheran Choir.

The choir will consist of singers from throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, and has already recruited several members of PLU’s Choir of the West. They will come together three times a year for rehearsals and concerts, performing everything from J. S. Bach to John Rutter.

A typical rehearsal/concert schedule will involve three nights of rehearsals (Wednesday through Friday) followed by two concerts (Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon). All singers will be expected to learn their parts on their own prior to rehearsals.

"We would love to add even more PLU alumni to the choir," Deuane Kuenzi said.

Those interested can send audio tapes with two selections to: Deuane Kuenzi, Messiah Lutheran Church, 805 Fourth St. N.E. Auburn, Wash., 98002. The audition deadline is May 1. Rehearsals and concerts are tentatively scheduled to start this fall.

Latest Choir of the West CD chronicles 75th anniversary tour

The latest recording by the Choir of the West is available. "A Mighty Fortress," was released in December. It commemorates the 75th anniversary tour of Scandinavia in the summer of 2001 and includes performances recorded in some of Norway and Sweden’s most majestic cathedrals.

Recordings range from the moving spirituals "I’m Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart," "Give Me Jesus," and "Glory to the Newborn King," to Lutheran classics such as "Beautiful Savior" and "O Day Full of Grace."

CDs are available at the PLU Bookstore or through the online bookstore at luteworld.plu.edu.

Nationally recognized debate team prepares for alumni reunion

Going into second semester, PLU’s debate team was ranked third in the country against other schools that compete in the National Parliamentary Debate Association.

The team won several regional tournaments in the fall, and several outstanding debaters consistently win top honors. Among them are Kyle Mach ’03 and Leah Sprain ’03, who took first place in a tournament in Salt Lake City in January, and Chipo Chikara ’04, who won four first-place awards in individual speaking events at the same tournament. Adam Holt ’03 and Andrew Orr ’03 were, with Mach, named outstanding speakers.

Throughout the year, the squad has invited the public to debates on topics of general interest.

The entire team is looking forward to a reunion in May with alumni debaters. The event, intended to celebrate the past and prepare for the future of forensics at PLU, will be May 9 and 10. Current students will debate the first day, and alumni will debate the second. A banquet and fund-raiser will be Saturday night at C.I. Shenanigan’s on the Tacoma waterfront. Cost is $50. Proceeds will help send students to national and international competitions.

For more information, contact Amanda Feller at fellerae@plu.edu.

Wabash Center funds religion grant for faculty development

PLU's Department of Religion is in the second year of a two-year, $42,000 grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.

The grant’s goal is to strengthen the department during a time of major faculty turnover and transition.

"The Wabash grant provides an opportunity for faculty to meet and share their teaching goals and strategies," said Alicia Batten, assistant professor of religion. "It has been very helpful to discuss and learn from one another about common questions and issues that we all must address in our classes."

Grant activities, including spring and fall retreat-workshops for the entire department and a monthly discussion group for tenure-eligible faculty, began in September 2001 and conclude in August.

"The coordinated set of activities is deepening the department’s culture of reflection on teaching and supporting the department’s newer faculty in the early stage of their careers at PLU," Batten said.

School of Business honors outstanding family businesses

Firms ranging from a resort-town restaurant to an independent roofing contractor were honored in the 2002 Washington Family Business Awards sponsored by the Family Enterprise Institute of PLU’s School of Business in November.

They were chosen from 27 finalists and more than 175 nominations. Firms were judged on their innovative business strategies and practices, performance, family and business links, contributions to community and industry, multi-generation family business involvement and longevity.

Winners were Harkness Furniture of Tacoma and Preston Premium Wines of Pasco, small business; Wayne’s Roofing, Inc. of Sumner, medium business; Alaska Distributors Company of Seattle, large business; W.A. Botting Company of Woodinville, heritage business; Alec’s By The Sea of Ocean Shores, new business.

"The judges were impressed by the richness of the stories and the strength of these family businesses," said Catherine Pratt, associate dean of PLU’s School of Business and director of Family Enterprise Institute.

Also recognized at the workshop were three Washington firms that went on to win national awards last year. They are Fitterer’s Inc., Ellensburg, second runner-up, small business; The Bartell Drug Company, Seattle, second runner-up, large business; Cowles Publishing Company, Spokane, honorable mention, large business.

Encore! keeps you in step with spring

By Drew Brown, online editor

A busy spring is sure to bring plenty of updates to Encore!, as we take you through PLU’s China Symposium and May Commencement. Encore! will be updated frequently throughout the months with news, press releases and photos from campus happenings. You can also find additional information on topics from this edition at www.plu.edu/encore/.

Another way to find more information on stories from Scene is to read our online edition. When you see bolded blue text, just click on it for further information. Instead of the More Encore! list, this allows Scene to give online readers several links (from articles to pictures to off-campus Web sites) within the same story. It will change the way you experience Scene. In this edition of Encore! readers will find more information on Scene stories:

— See more photos from PLU’s study tour to Namibia.
— Find out more about April’s China Symposium—who’s coming, what events are being held and how you can join in.
— Follow the progress of the recently finished 2010 report.
— Read weekly updates of what’s happening on campus.
— See more photos and get more information on the works of professor Charles Bergman, the focus of this issue’s Perspective

If you have a story, news or Web link you feel should be a part of our online edition, contact us at scene@plu.edu. Keep those ideas and comments coming.