NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
German Institute funding — Applications are being accepted for funding from the German Institute to support activities and endeavors related to Germany or German in the 2015-16 academic year. Awarding will be on a competitive basis; applications for the full amount available ($5,000) likely will not be supported in full. Applications are due March 15 to Dr. Daniel Walther, German Institute director. Awards will be announced no later than April 1. Contact Walther at daniel.walther@wartburg.edu for application requirements and details.
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Lenten schedule reminders — The class schedule changes Feb. 18 to provide time for Ash Wednesday worship, 10-10:50 a.m., in Wartburg Chapel. Classes starting at 9 a.m. will dismiss at 9:50 a.m. Classes regularly beginning at 10:45 a.m. will begin at 11 a.m. Campus offices, the Den, and the Konditorei will close from 9:50 to 11 a.m. On the five following Wednesdays, administrative offices will close during chapel time, 10:15-10:35 a.m., to allow staff and faculty the opportunity to attend Lenten chapels. The W, Security Office, and Information Desk will remain open. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use these morning class breaks during Lent as time for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation.
Agreement with MCC — As part of a “two-plus-two” agreement announced Tuesday, Feb. 10 and effective this fall, students will be able to study at Marshalltown Community College and Wartburg and earn a bachelor’s degree in four years. Iowa Valley Community College District students meeting credit hour requirements within Marshalltown Community College’s broadcasting and digital media associate’s degree — and graduates of the program — can earn a Wartburg degree in journalism and communication with a concentration in multimedia journalism or digital production. Members of Marshalltown Community College’s administration, faculty and student body visited Wartburg for the signing and announcement of the articulation agreement and to tour Department of Journalism & Communication facilities.
Student housing policy changes — Students on Monday received notification of updates to the college's housing policies. As a residential college, the goal is for all full-time students to live on campus every year, but in many years, the college approves a limited number of off-campus housing requests. The following steps are being taken to improve consistency and predictability in the enforcement of longstanding policies:
- The college has eliminated the $200 deposit formerly required for participation in the on-campus housing lottery. Students must have an account balance in good standing to participate.
- Applicants who are approved to live off campus will be subject to a $250 fee, the proceeds of which offset the cost of campus-wide facility maintenance normally included in room fees.
- Full room will be charged to the accounts of full-time students residing off campus without approval.
The Wartburg residential life experience is sequenced so to allow students to transition into independent living, and the college values the role of residential living in creating a vibrant on-campus community centered on the college's mission. Questions about the housing process can be directed to Wes Brooks, director of Residential Life, at 352-8260 or wesley.brooks@wartburg.edu.
Accessibility awareness event — Come to the McCaskey Lyceum Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m., to hear Miss Wheelchair Iowa 2011 Jennifer Wolff discuss accessibility for the differently-abled on a college campus. This talk is geared to challenge your view of the architectural space you function within and how to imagine it complexly to include someone with a different ability. Afterward a wheelchair obstacle course will be in Levick Arena from 3-4 p.m.. Sign-up during lunch and dinner at the bottom of the Saemann Student Center stairs. Andrew Tubbs ’15 will perform stand-up comedy to introduce Jennifer.
Sustainable farming program — Faux Farm, Kaiser Farm, and Vogel Library are sponsoring a public program on sustainable farming Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6:30–8 p.m., in McCaskey Lyceum. Sustainable Farms: Bremer County and Beyond will include a screening of the documentary New Farms, Big Success, followed by a panel discussion on sustainable farming in Bremer County including Rob Faux from Faux Farms and Lindsay Kaiser from Kaiser Farms. For more information, click here or contact Curtis Brundy, director of Vogel Library, at curtis.brundy@wartburg.edu or 352-8462.
The Vagina Monologues showing — All are welcome to events throughout V-Week, currently underway. A production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues will be tonight, Friday, and Saturday, 8 p.m., in McCaskey Lyceum. A panel discussion will follow Saturday's show. Tickets will be sold for $5 at the door. All proceeds from the show and auction will be benefit Cedar Valley Friends of the Family and the global V-Day movement to end violence against women and girls. A silent auction outside McCaskey Lyceum runs all week. More information is available on the Wartburg College V-Day Campaign Facebook page.
Find your direction — The W is partnering with Waverly Health Center and Hy-Vee to provide a healthy living program beginning Thursday, Feb. 26. The Compass program will meet at 5:30 p.m. at The W. The five-week program will help participants establish and maintain long-term, healthy behavior changes. It includes a personalized exercise program and nutritional guidance. Register by Thursday, Feb. 19 by calling 319-483-1361. There is a fee to participate.
Gayla Week 2015 — Join Alliance in Gayla Week 2015, themed gaY2K–Party like it's 1999! Events run Monday, Feb. 16-Saturday, Feb. 21. Highlights include bingo on Monday, 8-9 p.m.; in the McCoy room of Saemann Student Center; game night on Wednesday, 7-10 p.m., in Whitehouse Business Center's Buckmaster Room; a panel discussion Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the McCoy rooms; and a drag show on Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Neumann Auditorium. Drag show tickets will be available for $5 at the door. Find more information on the Alliance Facebook page.
STEM for women — A program on attracting girls and women to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields will be Thursday, Feb. 19, in Science Center 134. A social starts at 6 p.m. and the program will be from 6:30 to 7:30. Speakers include Marcy Seavey, University of Northern Iowa STEM coordinator, and Stephani Keller, N.E. Iowa Regional STEM Hub associate.
Film festival plays on — The fourth selection in the Tournées French Film Festival will play tonight, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., in Whitehouse Business Center 214. The French Minister centers around a man and his highly capricious boss. The fifth film, The Past, will be shown Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., in Whitehouse Business Center 116. Admission to the series is free, popcorn will be served, and discussion will be provided by students in FR 275: Intro to French & Francophone Film. No knowledge of French is required to participate. For more information on the festival, including a schedule, visit the Wartburg French Club Facebook page.
TerraCycle changes — Waverly's TerraCycle program that Wartburg participates in has changed its policies. The following items are now accepted: cereal bags, granola bags and wrappers, ink cartridges, squeeze-food pouches, and drink pouches. Waverly-Shell Rock High School is looking for a community group to take over the program due to changes in what is accepted at the school. If your group is interested in this fundraising opportunity, please email jeremy.langner@wsr.k12.ia.us.
Candlelight dinner — Sign up outside Mensa during dinner tonight, Feb. 12, for a candlelight dinner sponsored by Black Student Union Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. The meal costs $10 for faculty and staff, payable with cash or declining balance.
Election results — Elections for Student Senate were Tuesday, Feb. 10. Sean Lancaster ’16 and Molly Zmudka ’17 won the race for president and vice president with 95 percent of the vote. A run-off election will be Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the race for recorder, as Calyn Thompson ’17 earned 40 percent of the vote and Molly Astarita ’18 earned 26 percent. A run-off also is required in the race for treasurer, as Adam Kurt ’16 earned 38 percent of the vote and Emily Capper ’18 earned 28 percent.
Phil & Lit — The next meeting of the Wartburg Philosophical & Literary Society will be Friday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m., in McCoy West of Saemann Student Center. Dr. Benjamin Bousquet, associate professor of physics, will present Neutrinos: Nature’s Ghosts.
Bach's Lunch concert — Christian Stötzner of Eisenach, Germany, will be the guest organist at the Bach’s Lunch organ series Friday, Feb. 13. The 12:30 p.m. performance in Wartburg Chapel will be preceded by a noon lunch and explanation of the program in Chapel Commons. Stötzner is the music director at St. George’s Church in Eisenach, where J. S. Bach was baptized. He also was part of the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, a famous choir school where Bach spent most of his career as cantor. Stötzner will speak about these experiences prior to his concert. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch.
'Best of the Best' concert — The Wartburg Community Symphony will perform alongside the Valley High School Chamber Orchestra in the Meistersinger Honor Orchestra Festival's "Best of the Best" concert Saturday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., in Neumann Auditorium. Under the direction of Dr. Daniel Kaplunas, the orchestras will perform crowd-pleasing numbers, including two with Dr. Simon Estes, distinguished professor and artist in residence. A reception will follow. Tickets, $16.50 for adults and $6.50 for students, can be purchased at wartburg.edu/symphony, at the Ticket Office in Saemann Student Center, or at the door starting at 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 352-8200.
P.S. I Love You Day — Friday, Feb. 13, is P.S. I love You Day, created in 2011 to show support for all those who struggle with bullying, depression, and suicide. Please wear purple to join in letting those who are struggling know they are not alone. For more information, click here or contact Kelly Moeller, Suicide Prevention Program coordinator, at kelly.moeller@wartburg.edu. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Counseling Services at 352-8596 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Wrestling with faith - Do you wonder about the problems evil causes in the world or find the concept of the Trinity confusing? A small group will meet Thursdays, 8 p.m., to wrestle with theological questions and their effects. All are welcome to the first meeting, tonight, Feb. 12, in the lounge outside the Department of Religion & Philosophy in Grossmann Hall. For more information, contact Paris White ’15 at paris.white@wartburg.edu.
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Retirement plan clarification — In a recent letter to current participants in Wartburg's retirement plan, President Colson clarified a notice recently sent from the College regarding Wartburg's move to secure "church plan" status for the plan from the Internal Revenue Service. The change has no impact on how the plan is designed or administered; it was a proactive move designed to eliminate unnecessary paperwork and audit fees. Click here to access the president's letter. Those with questions remaining after reading the letter can arrange for a meeting by contacting Amy Wilson, Human Resources & Payroll Office administrative assistant, at amy.wilson@wartburg.eduor 352-8521.
Lunch 'n' Learn — A Waverly Health Center lunch n’ learn will be Wednesday, Feb. 18, noon to 1 p.m., in The W's Wet Classroom. Michelle Litterer will present Making Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Heart Health. Attendees of the free event are invited to bring a lunch. For more information, call The W at 352-8249.
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