VAC blood drive March 17

The Volunteer Action Center, in partnership with American Red Cross, is hosting a blood drive Tuesday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Chapel Commons. Sign up online to donate. Volunteers are needed to help with check-in, snacks and donors; use this link to sign up to volunteer. Contact VAC if you have any questions.
 

Ethiopian dinner for Water to Thrive

Wartburg Water to Thrive will host its second Ethiopian Dinner to help fundraise for our 16th and 17th wells! The event, catered by the Addis Restaurant in Fairfield, will be at the Waverly Area Veterans Post, 1300 4th St. NW, on Tuesday, March 17. The doors will open at 5:30 with dinner beginning at 6:15 and a short presentation to follow. We will be having Ethiopian food (vegetarian option available) with drinks and live music. Cost is $20 for students and $30 for adults/community members. To reserve a ticket, contact a.williamsperez@wartburg.edu. All net proceeds go directly to the next water well and will be matched by an anonymous donor.

Upcoming music events

Come and support music students and faculty in the following free events this week (all will be streamed on Knight Vision):

Exemplary Staff Award nominations

Nominations are now open for the “Exemplary Staff Award,” an annual award that recognizes the exemplary work of administrative and support staff at Wartburg College. Please use this form to complete your nomination. Nominations are due to the Human Resources Office, or via e-mail to Jamie Hollaway, by Friday, March 13. One administrative staff member and one support staff member will be honored each year. Members of the Personnel Advisory Committee, elected to represent administrative and support staff, will review nominations and select recipients.

WCDM Sit ’n Paint for faculty & staff March 19

Wartburg College Dance Marathon will hold a "Sit ‘n Paint" event for faculty and staff on March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel Commons. The cost is $25 and the session will be taught by a Wartburg student. Painting supplies will be provided. We will also be providing a childcare option for those attending the event. The childcare will be run by WCDM students, and a location for this will be sent to those who plan to attend. To reserve a spot, please email a.williamsperez@wartburg.edu.

Wartburg 2020-21 holiday calendar

The holiday calendar for 2020-21 has been posted on the InfoCenter. Click on Employment, Forms and Procedures, Payroll and Personnel Forms. Because the New Year’s Day holiday falls on a Friday in 2021, the College is granting an additional holiday on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. Please check with your supervisor, as some departments must be open on that date with operations critical to the college.

Sign up for Phi Eta Sigma Candlelight Dinner

The sign-up for the Candlelight Dinner hosted by Phi Eta Sigma will be taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 11 and 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mensa. Phi Eta Sigma members will discuss their organization while students, faculty, and staff mingle over dinner on Wednesday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Ballroom in Saemann Student Center. The cost for students with a board plan is one swipe from their meal plan plus $3. This may be paid with points or cash at the time of sign up. Off-board students may also attend, and their cost will be $15 at the time of sign-up. Special dietary considerations will be taken into account.

Phil & Lit Society

The Wartburg Philosophical and Literary Society will meet Friday, March 13, at 4 p.m. in McCoy West of Saemann Student Center. Faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to attend and refreshments will be provided. The speaker is Ann Henninger, professor emerita of biology, who will present “Our Three Lines of Defense Against Pathogens.”

Wartburg Medal nominations 🏅

Each year Wartburg awards the Wartburg Medal to alumni, friends, and retired faculty and staff who have provided significant service over a sustained period of time to the College. Members of the Wartburg faculty and staff may nominate individuals or couples to receive this honor. The award description, guidelines, nomination form, and a list of past recipients can be found at this link. Nominations are due to the President’s Office or by e-mail to Janeen Stewart by Friday, March 13.

HealthPartners mail-order pharmacy update

For those who use mail-order services: HealthPartners has selected a new mail-order pharmacy, WellDyneRx, due to their lower costs and their reputation in the market for top customer service. The two entities are working together to ensure a smooth transition, which will take place in late March.

Some key things to know:

Leadership and Service Award nomination forms are available now and due by Monday, March 9. Click here to nominate someone you know for one or more of the following awards: Nobility Award; Debbie Heida Award; Outstanding Organization; Outstanding International Senior; Dell Awards for Peace and Justice; Peacemaker Award; Outstanding Organization Service Award; and the Outstanding Organization Adviser Award. The awards ceremony will be Sunday, April 5, at 1 p.m. in the Hagemann Castle Room, with a reception to follow. Direct questions to Lindsey Leonard.

Reports available on the InfoCenter

The following reports are now posted on the InfoCenter under President’s Reports:

HIRS 1095-B coverage statements: changes for 2019 tax year

Last month, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent out a notice providing guidance on the ACA employer and health plan coverage reporting requirements. Because the individual mandate penalty is $0 beginning in 2019, individuals do not need the information on a Form 1095-B to file their tax return or determine their tax liability for 2019. Given that guidance, HealthPartners will not mail 1095-B forms to fully insured commercial members in 2020 for the 2019 tax year. If members still wish to have a copy of the 1095-B form, they may request it by emailing HealthPartners, calling 844-565-0630, or mailing in a request to this address:

PO Box 1309
Mail Stop 21104G
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1309

Members who request their form will receive it by mail within 30 days of the request. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Wilson, benefits administrator, at Ext. 8278.

Chapel services this week

All are welcome at Weekday Chapel services from 10:15 to 10:35 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Wartburg Chapel. Chapel time is a brief opportunity to gather with students, staff, and faculty to reflect on God and faith. The Lord's Supper is celebrated at the end of the service on Mondays and Fridays. Interfaith chapels will be held the last Wednesday of each month during the semester. Sunday worship is celebrated at least once a month, starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Upcoming services: