A former academic, he’s now coordinator for the Men’s Youth Ministry, serving low-income communities in Lincoln, Neb. He is also the founder of Harris Consulting Services, through which he provides cultural education programs for community, corporate and education clients.

ALUM, NOVELIST LEIF ENGER
TO READ HERE JAN. 24 FROM
HIS HIT ‘PEACE LIKE A RIVER’
Leif Enger, author of “Peace Like a River,” which the editors of Amazon.com have selected as the best book of the year, will read from his new novel at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 in Minnesota State University Moorhead’s King Hall Auditorium as a guest of the university’s Tom McGrath Visiting Writers Series.

He’ll also talk on the writers’ craft at 4 p.m. that day, again in King Hall Auditorium

A 1983 MSUM graduate, Enger just finished a three-month book-signing tour and is back home at his 56-acre farmstead in the Brainerd Lakes area with his wife Robin and two sons.

Enger, originally from Osakis, Minn., last year quit his 16-year job as a reporter for Minnesota Public Radio to become a full-time novelist.

“Peace Like a River” is a tale of faith and family adventure set in North Dakota and Minnesota. Released in September by Atlantic Monthy Press, it remains among Amazon’s best-selling titles.

So far he’s received a $150,000 advance for its North American publishing rights along with a Book of the Month Club main selection and a Reader’s Digest select edition condensed book.

Hollywood producer David Brown (“Jaws,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Chocolat”) optioned screen rights for the novel, which has also been sold to publishers in eight other countries. The book has also received a starred review from Booklist and Publishers Weekly.

MINNESOTA FOLKSINGER REED
PERFORMS AT MSUM JAN. 17
Ann Reed, Minnesota singer and songwriter, will be performing at the Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Weld Hall Glasrud Auditorium at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 17. It’ s free and open to the public.

Reed, who has won every major Minnesota music award, including Artist of the Year and Folksinger of the Year, offers original music on a variety of themes. She is most noted for her philosophy regarding women’s issues.

Reed has performed at world renown folk festivals, including Bumbershoot and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. She has also received recognition from Billboard magazine and the National Association of Independent Recording Distributors, as well as from several non-profit groups, most recently the Girl Scouts.

The concert is part of the Women Alive! Series sponsored by the MSUM Women’s Center. Co-sponsors of the event include the MSUM Alumni Foundation and the Red River Women’s Network.

For more information on Ann Reed, visit her website at: http://www.annreed.com

MSUM TO BAN SMOKING
IN RESIDENCE HALLS
Starting this summer, smoking will be banned in all Minnesota State University Moorhead residence halls, including student rooms.

Ryan Sylvester, one of the area directors for MSUM’s Residential Life Department, said the decision was made last month after surveying students twice during the past two years and meeting with Hall Councils, Residence Hall Association and the Housing and Residential Life staff.

Currently 23 of the 50 floors in MSUM’s eight residence halls are dedicated to non-smoking students. This summer, smoking will be banned in all residential buildings and in individual rooms.
 
 

MSUM currently can accommodate 1,689 students in the residential halls. This number will increase as MSUM's newest apartment building, "Neumaier II," comes on-line fall semester 2002.

GOVERNOR’S BONDING PROPOSAL
INCLUDES FUNDS FOR
MSUM SCIENCE BUILDING
Gov. Jesse Ventura announced his bonding proposals for this legislative session, which funds the top eight priorities out of a list of 26 established by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees. That includes funding for MSUM’s new science building.

Funded projects under Gov. Ventura’s proposal:
Normandale Community College science building remodeling, $9.9 million
Minneapolis Community and Technical College, student services remodeling and co-location design, $12.6 million

Metropolitan State University library, $17.4 million
Alexandria Technical College classroom and technology building, $9.2 million
Winona State University science building, $30 million
Minnesota State University Moorhead science building, $19 million
Six campuses (Winona , Red Wing, Canby, Worthington, Minneapolis, Faribault) science lab renovations, $1.9 million

Science and technology projects lead MnSCU’s bonding request, making up about 37 percent of the requested projects. The governor’s proposal also emphasizes science and technology, funding the three largest projects on MnSCU’s list ­ the Metro State library and the state university science buildings at Winona and Moorhead, plus science and technology renovations on eight two-year college campuses.

If all goes right, construction on MSUM’s new science building could begin this summer, with completion scheduled two years later.

MSUM campaign recognized…..
COMBINED CHARITIES
TOTALS $42,089
The MSUM Minnesota State Employees Combined Charities 2001 Campaign received donations totaling $42,089, including $33,032 designated for United Way of Cass/Clay. The 2001 campaign surpassed the 2000 total ($38,060) by about 10 percent.

At a recent United Way awards banquet, companies were recognized for giving levels ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. MSUM was recognized for reaching the $25,000 donation level and received an award that is on display in the President's office.
 

A major effort by campus union representatives helped push the university over last year's total. Pictured with the award seated (left to right): John Tandberg, Bryan Kotta, Deb Lewis, Laura Thompson, and Gordy Bergman; standing (left to right): Cliff Schuette, Wade Swenson, Ben Blair, President Barden, and Rose Bakke.

Thank you, MSUM employees, for your generous contributions.

OPEN FORUM ON CAMPUS
FRIDAY TO MEET WITH
LOCAL LEGISLATORS
President Roland Barden invites the campus community to attend a legislative open forum with District 9 legislators at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 in the Gaede Stage of the Center for the Arts. State Senator Keith Langseth and State Representatives Kevin Goodno and Paul Marquart will participate. A reception follows at 4:15 p.m. in the lobby of the Gaede Stage.

The forum is hosted by the Office of the President.

PRESIDENT’S OPEN FORUM: JAN. 29
President Barden invites the campus community to a President's Open Forum Tuesday, Jan. 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Comstock Room 101 of CMU. The topic is "Budget Update and TOCAR Update." Refreshments will be served.
ALUMNI FOUNDATION GRANTS
The MSUM Alumni Foundation awards grants of up to $500 for projects that benefit students, faculty, departments and organizations.  During the fall semester grants were awarded for the following:
* Representation at National Portfolio Day in the Twin Cities
* The Regional Science Center’s Tallgrass Prairie Art Institute
* Performing Arts Series performance by Stevie Ray
* Handcrafted masks for the theatre department
* Women’s Center “Women Alive!” Series
* PRSSA registration fee for national conference
* Chinese New Year Celebration
* Lecture series for education majors
* MSUM Safe Zone Project
* Attendance at US Institute for Theatre Technology
* MSUM Leadership Conference
* Performance by folk musician Mike Seeger
* Counseling and student affairs department survey of alumni
DRAGON LUNCHEON JAN. 23
The next Dragon luncheon will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Moorhead on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Anyone interested in Dragon athletics is encouraged to attend. For more info, contact Bruce Hanson at 4641.

WORKSHOPS -- INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
The following workshops will be available next week.  They are free for faculty and staff at MSUM:

Monday noon-1PM: Getting to Know your Computer -- Windows Basics (LI 222)
Monday noon-1PM: Getting to Know your Computer -- Mac Basics (LO 107)
Monday 2-4PM: Microsoft Excel Basics (LI 222)

Wed 9-10AM: Web Page Design with FrontPage Part I (LI 222)
Wed 3-4PM: PowerPoint Part I   (LI 222)

Thu 2-3PM: Introduction to MSUM's Instructional Management System (WebCT) Part I (LI 222)

Fri 8-9AM: Online Forms with Frontpage (LI 222)
Fri 2-3PM: Creating Web Pages on a Mac with Dreamweaver Part II (LO 107)

Contact Rhonda Ficek at 2339 or ficek@mnstate.edu if you have questions.

MSUM STUDENT ART
EXHIBIT OPENS JAN. 14
Ten MSUM art majors will show their works in an exhibit that runs Jan. 14-31 in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts gallery. A public reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 in the gallery.

A variety of works will be shown, including ceramics, drawings and illustrations, photographs and graphic designs.

MSUM gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.  For special showings, contact Jane Gudmundson at 218-236-2284 or e-mail gudmunja@mnstate.edu

MSUM art majors exhibiting their work: Nathan Mastrud, Sulu Grim, Kimberly Lawson, Jay Brenteson, Leah Ross, Dan Musgrave, Jody Hastings, Amy Herrick, Brad Reusch and Sarah Wiech.

‘SPACE BUS’ FEATURED AT
MSUM PLANETARIUM
”Space Bus” is the featured show at the MSUM Planetarium Sundays at 2 p.m. and Mondays at 7 p.m. January 20 through March 11.

The show joins the children of Asimov Elementary School as they journey through the solar system. It’s set in the year 2007 and is ideal for children of all ages. Even though the trip is imaginary, the information about the planets and the rest of our solar system is accurate for today.

The Planetarium is located at 11th Street South, in Bridges Hall room 167 on the MSUM campus. General admission is $3; children 12 years of age and under, senior citizens and Tri-College students are $1.50.

For more information or to schedule a group show, call 218-236-3982.

WANNA LIVE ON CAMPUS NEXT YEAR?
Information for current residents and off campus students on how to sign up for one of the new campus apartments or a residence hall room for the 2002-2003 academic year is now on-line.  Printed copies will be distributed to residence hall students later in January.  Some dates to take note of:  Wednesday, January 23 is the apartment lottery draw, Tuesday, January 29 is the deadline for completed apartment applications, and Wednesday, January 30 is the first session for residence hall room sign up.  For complete details go to: http://www.mnstate.edu/housing

TERRORISM IN THE CLASSROOM
TOPIC OF FACULTY WORKSHOP
John Helgeland, an NDSU professor, will present some ideas on how to deal with the topic of "Terrorism" in the classroom from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16 in CMU 216. Many faculty and students have either avoided talking about this topic or are not sure quite how to deal with this issue in the classroom.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
LOOKING FOR PRESENTERS
The Center for Leadership and Organizations is sponsoring a Leadership Conference on the MSUM campus on February 7. This conference is free and open to ALL MSUM students. Encourage students to participate in this event either as an attendee or as a session presenter. Conference information, educational session proposals and registration information can be found at the conference website: http://www.mnstate.edu/ctr4orgs/conference.htm

We are also looking for MSUM faculty and staff as well as Moorhead-Fargo community members to present at this conference.  If you are interested in presenting please look for more information on our website: http://www.mnstate.edu/ctr4orgs/conference.htm. Feel free to forward this message to someone who would be an excellent presenter.

If you or your students have any questions, please feel free to contact Teresa Glover, assistant director of activities and organizations at 236-2524 or gloverte@mnstate.edu

STUDENT ACADEMIC  CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION APP NOW ON-LINE
The presentation application for the Student Academic Conference is now available to download in Microsoft Word format from the conference web page.  By the end of January there will be an on-line submission form to submit applications instead of mailing the application in and having to include a disk for abstracts.

We would prefer student presenters submit information on-line as it will immediately be posted to the web for review and it saves conference staff time by not having to input all of the information. Soon, there will be posters out around campus, primarily at each department office, with copies of the application hanging from them.  The application and other information about this year's conference can be found at: http://www.mnstate.edu/acadconf/2002

JANUARY STRESS: NORMAL
It is normal for students to experience stress in the following areas during January:

*Post-Christmas depression due to being away from home or that family holidays and being home didn’t live up to hoped for ideals.
*Credit card bills from holiday shopping come due.
*Some students may be anxious about academic performance if last semester went poorly.  (Be sure to access resources early this semester!!)

Information for these monthly paragraphs comes from the NASPA Journal, published by NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and was retrieved at www.hsc.edu/stu/counseling/selfhelp/stress_periods.html

For additional information on college issues, please go to the Counseling Center’s web page and click on Campusblues.com.  Or, visit Campusblues.com and click on the link to the Counseling Center’s web page.

If you know of a student struggling with these, or other issues, please have them call or stop by the Counseling & Personal Growth Center in Bridges 260, 236-2227.

VACANCY NOTICES
* Instructor/assistant professor, Multidisciplinary studies (mathematics), pending funding (MSUM)
* Assistant professor, Multidisciplinary Studies, pending funding (MSUM)
* Assistant/associate professor Accounting, pending funding MSUM

MISCELLANEA
* Anna Arnar, Art, delivered a public lecture "Envisioning the Future of Art: Stéphane Mallarmé and Mass Media" at the Plains Art Museum last month. The lecture was supported by the Minnesota Humanities Commission in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
* Chris Corley, History, attended the 116th annual Meeting of the American Historical Association, January 3-6, in San Francisco. At the conference, Corley chaired a panel he had organized entitled "Accentuating the  Positive, Eliminating the Negative: Utilizing Technology to Enhance the  Learning Process and to Reduce Geographic and Cultural Barriers." The panel was sponsored by the World History Association.
* Theodore Gracyk, Philosophy, published an essay, "This Worldly Music," in Arguing About Art: Contemporary Philosophical Debates, published by Routledge, 2002. The essay is a response to Roger Scruton's recent book, “The Aesthetics of Music”.
* Susan Imbarrato, English and Women's Studies, was session organizer and chair for the panel on “Life Writing in the Early Americas,” a program arranged by the Division of American Literature to 1800 held during the Modern Language Association Conference, New Orleans, December 27-31.
* Peter Geib, Business Administration, has had a paper accepted for publication and presentation at the International Applied Business Research Conference scheduled in March. The title of the paper is “East and Southeast Asia: A Comparison of the First and Second Economic Downturns.”
* Derick Dalhouse, Psychology, participated in an American Psychological Association Accreditation Site Visit last month. The visit was to the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee to evaluate their Ph.D School Psychology program for re-accreditation.

CLASSIFIEDS
* For sale - 1976 motor home, excellent condition, new brakes, new tires, generator, etc. Call Kathy Scott at 236-2174 or (701) 261-0595.