Waldorf employees sing Christmas classic

Waldorf employees got in the holiday spirit earlier this month during a Christmas party in a packed Salveson Ballroom. They also donated hundreds of pairs of socks that will be given to organizations in the area to help others keep warm this winter.

Please enjoy (or relive, as the case may be) our rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Hey guys, at least we have a whole year to practice.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Zane Choat answers some follow-up questions after appearance on MTV

Zane Choat is on the home page of MTV.com today after his appearance Monday night on the show "True Life."

Waldorf College freshman football player Zane Choat starred on MTV on Monday night.

And today, Choat answers some follow-up questions on the MTV.com Remote Control Blog.

In case you missed Monday's episode, "True Life: I'm an Albino," here it is. The episode will air again on MTV at 1:42 p.m. (CST) Sunday, Dec. 26.

Waldorf students may be eligible for $1,000 scholarship

Some Waldorf College students may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship offered by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

The Hovland Scholarship is open to students who will be entering their junior year in fall 2011. Students must be enrolled at an accredited college or university and be of Norwegian descent, with preference given to applicants from the Bomlo community of Norway.

Waldorf alumni to honor late son with portrait on Rose Parade float

Jody (holding portrait) and Rick Dosser (right) and members
of their extended family helped decorate the floragraph of their son Jermiah.
 (Submitted photo)

Waldorf College graduates Jody and Rick Dosser, (Class of 1971), will honor their late son in a special way during the Rose Parade on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif.

They were selected by Donate Life America to have a memorial floragraph portrait of their son Jermiah on the Donate Life float. Donate Life is a national organization that advocates for organ, eye and tissue donation. Jody will ride on the float.

Waldorf student to star in MTV program 'True Life'

Zane Choat signs a national letter of intent to play football
 at Waldorf College as a videographer captures 
the moment for the MTV program "True Life." Choat signed at a training center in Austin, Texas. With Choat are his parents, Molly Choat (left), father Zachary Choat (right), and trainers.

Waldorf College student and football player Zane Choat will be featured on the MTV program "True Life" on Monday, Dec. 20.

The episode, "True Life: I'm an Albino," will air at  9 p.m. CST. Check local listings to confirm the air time.

Award is 'big deal' for first-year residents

Resident life staffers are honoring first-year students who are doing positive things in their halls with an award called Warrior of the Week.

“The reason we do Warrior of the Week is to focus positively on what students in our halls are doing with their experience here at Waldorf,” said Katie Mullaly, the First Year Experience coordinator for Johnson-London Hall, a co-educational residence hall that serves 144 students. “As past and present statistics show, it’s difficult to get first-year students engaged in their first year of college life outside of a schedule of ‘school, work, sleep, eat.' So when we (that being myself and the RA staff at J and L) see acts of kindness that go beyond what we usually see in first-year students, we reward them by honoring them as Warrior of the Week.”

News briefs: Late Night Breakfast set tonight

Finals week is here. In between studying, don't forget about tonight's Late Night Breakfast. Below are details about the event and other news:

Late Night Breakfast set tonight

A Late Night Breakfast will be served from 9 to 10:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall.

The annual event is designed to give students plenty of energy if they need to pull an all-nighter preparing for exams.

The menu will include a frost-your-own doughnut bar, eggs, French toast and sausage. Faculty and staff are encouraged to catch a meal and to help out if they can.

Sunday's women's, men's basketball games postponed again because of weather

The women’s and men's basketball games between Waldorf College and Viterbo University rescheduled for today have been canceled. The games are rescheduled for 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31. The games originally were set for Saturday but were postponed to Sunday because of poor weather.

Saturday's women's, men's basketball games postponed because of weather

The Waldorf College women's and men's varsity basketball games scheduled Saturday, Dec. 11, against Viterbo University have been postponed because of poor weather.

The games will be played on Sunday, Dec. 12, in Forest City. Games are still set at 1 p.m. for the women and 3 p.m. for the men.

Photo gallery: Students fill recital hall with music

Waldorf music students put on a show during the "Apollo's Lyre: Student Recital" on Wednesday night in the Odvin Hagen Music Center Recital Hall. Below, sporano Keisha Chelburg, sings "Come Again, Sweet Love" by John Dowland (1563-1626), accompanied by Timothy Schmidt, professor emeritus in the keyboard area.


More photos: For photos of other vocalists and instrumentalists who performed at the recital, see the photo gallery at  http://tinyurl.com/37jznhk

Open gyms begin tonight, will continue during spring semester

Waldorf students and employees have a new recreation option on campus beginning today (Dec. 10) and each Friday during the spring semester.

The Hanson Fieldhouse gymnasium will be open from 8 to 11 tonight and will again open at the same times on the first Friday of the spring semester (Jan. 14). Participants can play basketball, football, Frisbee, dodgeball, volleyball and soccer.


There has been increased interest in using gymnasium facilities this semester, especially outside the hours of the YMCA, said Zach Van Cleave, director of intramurals and recreation. The YMCA closes at 9 p.m. on weekdays.

"Late Night Breakfast" on Monday to kick off finals week

Students and employees will have the chance to fuel up in advance of the first day of final exams with a late-night breakfast on Monday, Dec. 13.

Hosted by Campus Dining and Student Life,  the free "Late Night Breakfast" will be served from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Monday in the dining hall. It's designed to give students plenty of energy if they need to pull an all-nighter preparing for exams.
"The late night breakfast has been a tradition since I started here in 2005," said Brian Keely, director of ARAMARK/Campus Dining. "Traditionally, it kicks off finals week. It’s open to all students, faculty and staff who would like to come, with Campus Dining providing the food and Student Life and volunteer faculty helping with the serving."

The menu will include a frost-your-own doughnut bar, eggs, French toast and sausage.
 
Final exams are Tuesday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec.17.

Jason Ramaker, dean of students, said the event fills a need: namely students' stomachs.

"It’s a fun and energizing tradition to get all students gathered together in one place socializing and nourishing themselves before the stress of tests begins," Ramaker said.

Bookstore to buy back books next week

For students in need of cash for Christmas shopping, the Waldorf College Bookstore will be open Tuesday through Friday (Dec. 14-17) to buy back textbooks.

Almost all books are eligible for buy back, said bookstore manager Karla Schaefer. Of course, students are not required to sell their books and damaged books will net less.

The bookstore will pay a maximum 50 percent of the original book price. The store also will offer up to 30 percent of the original price for books that the store can't use. Those books will be sold to a wholesaler.

Schaefer reminds students that they must bring their student identification with them to return books.

Hours are as follows:

Tuesday, Dec. 14: 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 15: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 16: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 17: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recital tonight to feature Waldorf musicians

The Waldorf College Music Department will present “Apollo’s Lyre: Student Recital,” a free musical event featuring vocal, piano and instrumental performances at 7:30 tonight in the Odvin Hagen Music Center Recital Hall.

Janelle Flatebo, a sophomore music education major, is no stranger to recitals at Waldorf, having participated in events last year. She said a recital is an important performance for students because they gain the crucial experience of performing in front of an audience.

"Students can work on calming their nerves with each performance, as well as improving other skills, such as stage presence," she said. "I am able to see the progress that my peers have made with their own pieces, as well."

Flatebo is scheduled to sing and play the flute during tonight's recital. She said she doesn't let nerves get to her.

"Typically, I am somewhat nervous before I enter the stage, but then, I remind myself that I am fully capable of performing at the best of my ability," she said. "And once I tell myself just to have fun, that also calms my nerves."

Waldorf wrestling team to renew rivalry with NIACC

The Waldorf College wrestling program will renew its rivalry with North Iowa Area Community College tonight with a dual featuring the NIACC team and the Waldorf junior varsity squad.

"I'ts probably been 35 years since we've wrestled," said Steve Kelly, head coach at NIACC and a former head coach at Waldorf. "It's been a long time."

Waldorf and NIACC were competitive rivals for many years as junior colleges until NIACC cut the sport in the mid-1970s. The Trojans brought back the program three years ago.

The dual begins at 7 p.m. at NIACC.

Waldorf head coach Tyler Brandt said this will be a good opportunity for younger wrestlers to get some matches in.

“We hope to go over there and be extremely competitive,” he said.

Waldorf's JV men's wrestling team is coached by Robert Thomas and Matt Paeth.

Kelly coached at Waldorf when it was a two-year junior college and was here during the transition from a two-year to a four-year institution.

De-stress Days may be just what the doctor ordered for students

For those students who may be feeling the stress of final exams, the Student Life department has simple remedy: "De-stress" Days on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the Atrium.

The days will feature a variety of activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. guaranteed to help you unwind a bit.

Student Life offers De-stress Days each semester around finals as a way to relax before a week of exams, said Amy Scott, director of student activities. Finals are Tuesday through Friday,
Dec. 14-17.

Here's what is planned for De-stress Days:

Wednesday

• Decorate your own cookies
• Crafts
• Tarot card readings
• Coloring
• Area professionals will offer five-minute massages to help relieve pre-finals stress.

Thursday

• ‘Big Red Chair’ photos. Students can sit in a huge inflatable red chair and have their photo taken with a friend or two. Oversized props will be available for students who want to get extra silly.
• Massages

Friday

• Moon bounce. Students can jump to their heart's content in an inflatable bounce house.
• Students can decorate their own Christmas ornament from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Campus Center. The event is sponsored by the Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Committee (AODA). Students may take the ornament home with them or leave it on the Campus Center tree.

Students, employees urged to sign up for text-alert service, hotline in event of emergency

Waldorf College administrators have taken steps to make the campus safer in the event of a major crisis or emergency with the addition of an emergency cell phone text-alert service and hotline.

"These are two additional sources of information for people in the event of a problem that we did not have in the past," said Jason Ramaker, dean of students. "Before 2009, all we had was campus e-mail to alert the campus community in a timely manner that there was a problem. Between the three services and having information on our web page, I think we would be providing a good variety of options for students, employees and family members to receive up-to-date information."

The system, called FastCommand, will allow students, parents and employees to receive a direct text message from the college to their cell phone and e-mail (personal account) in the event of a campus emergency. Callers would not be able to leave a message.

Most students signed up for the text-alert service at the beginning of the semester. Now, Waldorf employees may sign up for the service, which Ramaker encourages.

Employees and students who are interested in signing up for the service may go to http://waldorf.fastcommand.com/. The link will take you to a custom Waldorf FastCommand website that will provide a page for inputting your information.

Additionally, Waldorf has added an emergency hotline phone number to its crisis communication plan. The hotline allows students, parents or employees to call and receive updates and instructions in the event of an emergency. The hotline number is 877-270-7333. Waldorf students and employees are encouraged to add this number to their mobile phones.

The text message alert system and hotline number would work in tandem if an emergency occurs. A message would be sent to the people who have signed up for the text alerts, and the hotline would have an updated message, instructions or information on the issue.

Waldorf officials will only use the service for periodic testing and campus emergencies, Ramaker said. The service will not be used for campus updates, general alerts or for basic information purposes.

"We hope these are services we never have to use," Ramaker said.

Photo gallery: Christmas with Waldorf CDs available for purchase

Conductor Blair Buffington leads students during
Saturday's performance of Christmas with Waldorf.
For more pictures, go to http://tinyurl.com/3yn2qos

Hundreds recently attended the weekend performances of Christmas with Waldorf, an annual Christmas festival that showcases the music programs at Waldorf College and kicks off the Advent season.

For people who missed the concerts on Dec. 4 and 5, or who would like to hear it again in their own home, CDs are available for $10 each and will be available to pick up after Jan. 17. To order a CD, e-mail Amy McGinnis, music office coordinator, at mcginnisa@waldorf.edu.

LaVaun Ausen of Hartland, Minn., came to watch her granddaughter, Kellie Grunzke, perform on Sunday afternoon. Grunzke, a junior, plays alto saxophone in the Waldorf Wind Symphony. Grunzke's mother and aunt also attended.

"I enjoyed it very much," Ausen said. "They're very good. Good singers."


For more pictures from the concerts, Scandinavian dinner and brunch, go to http://tinyurl.com/3yn2qos

Weekend happenings include Christmas with Waldorf

There's plenty to do this weekend including the annual Christmas with Waldorf holiday fesitval, featuring the Waldorf Choir, Waldorf Wind Symphony, St. Christopher Chorale, Sangkor Women’s Ensemble and the Viking Men’s Chorus.

This year's theme is "Come, See, Rejoice!" The performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and another at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fieldhouse. A Scandinavian dinner will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and a brunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Atrium. Waldorf faculty, staff and student tickets are $2 and available by calling Whitney Tait at Ext. 8724.

Here's another holiday option to consider this weekend off-campus:

• Christmas by The Lake, Clear Lake, Friday through Sunday. Festival of Trees at Opportunity Village is 5-8 p.m. Friday. Events are set all day Saturday, including a lighted parade at 5:07 p.m. and a fireworks show. A concert featuring Christmas with Elvis is set at 7 p.m. at the Surf Ballroom. Sunday features the Polar Bear Club plunge, which draws hundreds of people to watch swimmers take a chilly plunge into Clear Lake. Sunday also will feature a free matinee at 1:30 p.m. at the Lake Theatre. Food donations will be accepted for an area food bank. Information: http://www.clearlakeiowa.com/.

New Olson Theme House honors special alumni

The Olsons and six residents of the Olson House take a moment for a photo in the new theme house. Pictured are: (back row, from left) Nadean Krueger, Makenzie Bemis, Nancy Olson, Steve Olson, Emily Hoague and Lauren Devereaux; and (front row, from left) Holly Gilbertson and Ashley Lutrick. For more photos from the event, go to http://tinyurl.com/26n26ko

The name plaque on the Olson House,
Waldorf's fifth theme house.

Waldorf College has a new theme house on campus and it is named after two alumni who have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to their alma mater.


The Olson House, at Seventh and K streets (a block from campus), was dedicated in honor of Steve and Nancy Olson (Class of 1975) during a ceremony Nov. 18. The dedication ceremony was attended by college faculty and staff, including President Joe Manjone, family and friends of the Olsons and the six students who live in the house.


The Olsons, whose family owned the house for several years, sold it to the college earlier this year at what Nancy Olson described as "a very reasonable price." It is the fifth theme house on campus.

A plaque posted in the house and a replica that was presented to the Olsons reads that the couple "have faithfully served Waldorf College with a humble heart and giving spirit for more than 25 years" and "serve as tireless ambassadors of Waldorf, going the extra mile to support their alma mater whenever and however they can."

Jason Ramaker, dean of students, said Waldorf is lucky to have the Olsons affiliated with the college.

"When the college acquired the house from Steve and Nancy, it was only logical to honor them for their support over the years and name the house the Olson House," Ramaker said. "The dedication event was a great success."

Nancy Olson said she and her husband were taken by the dedication.

"It was a wonderful event, very humbling, very exciting," she said. "We love the girls who are living in the house. They're fantastic women."

Nancy has served the college in various capacities for more than 25 years and currently is director of Institutional Relations. She also has played a key role this year in the development of the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation, which supports scholarships, campus ministry and alumni/community relations.

Steve is a teacher with Forest City Community Schools. He also serves as a charter member of the Waldorf Education Advisory Board and is a member of the Waldorf quartet, Brethren, which was formed when he attended Waldorf in the mid-1970s.


The Olsons' contributions to the college also come financially. Rita Gilbertson, director of Alumni Relations and volunteer for the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation, said the Olsons have given more than $35,000 (donation figures are published in the Waldorf Magazine) over the years to the college and foundation. They fund an endowed scholarship in Nancy’s family name.


The Olsons graduated from Waldorf with their associate degrees in 1975. Nancy went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business in 1997 from Waldorf.

The women who live in the Olson House are Nadean Krueger, Makenzie Bemis, Emily Hoague, Lauren Devereaux, Holly Gilbertson and Ashley Lutrick.

Theme houses allow students with common areas of interest to live in a nontraditional residential setting. The six women advocate breast cancer awareness and live in what has become known as the "Pink House" to symbolize breast cancer awareness. They have sponsored a few events on campus and are planning more. Earlier this year, the women participated in Race for the Cure and raised about $500 for breast cancer awareness.

Lutrick moved into the house at the beginning of this semester. She said conversing with the Olsons and everyone else involved in establishing the house was great. Lutrick said she was moved when the Olsons spoke about what the house means to them.

"To be completely honest, it brought tears to my eyes," she said. "They had expressed how much Waldorf meant to them and they only wanted to give back to Waldorf what it had given to them, which was memories."


For more photos from the event, go to http://tinyurl.com/26n26ko.

Get your pingpong on!

Registration for intramural pingpong is open now throughout the remainder of the week at the information desk in the Campus Center.

A team competition is scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday in the Campus Center. Students, faculty and staff may sign up individually; later, players will be assigned to teams.
T-shirts and prizes will be awarded.

For more information, call Zach VanCleave, director of intramurals and recreation, at Ext. 8490 or zach.vancleave@waldorf.edu.

Flu shots offered Monday at reduced cost

An ounce of prevention, or rather, a shot of flu prevention will be offered on campus at a reduced cost next week.

Winnebago County Public Health has an excess of flu shots and will run a discount clinic from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 29, in the Atrium. Shots will cost $15, reduced from the normal $25.

The cost is not covered by Waldorf College’s medical insurance because Winnebago County Public Health is not an in-network provider, said Dawn Ramaker, payroll and benefits coordinator at Waldorf College. 

But employees who are participating in a flexible spending plan (Advantage Administrators, previously RD Drenkow) can submit a receipt as a qualified reimbursable expense, Ramaker said.

The health department also offered flu shots on campus in October.

For information, call Winnebago County Public Health at (641) 585-4763 or go to www.winncoph.org.

Student Life honored as Department of the Month



Waldorf College President Joe Manjone (left) presents Student Life Department staffers with the Department of the Month trophy. Staff members are (back row, from left) Jason Ramaker, Anna Moklestad, September Bickmore, Katie Mullaly and Andrew Saeger; and (front row, from left) Momo Wolapaye and Zach Van Cleave. Missing are Jim Amelsburg, Amy Scott, Mary Mathiasen and Kelly Youngblood.



The Waldorf College Student Life Department is the winner of the Department of the Month award for the month of November.

Each month, the President's Council accepts nominations for the award, which honors department workers for their stellar work. The inaugural award went to the Institutional Technologies Department in October. Department workers are nominated by their peers.

"Student Life was selected because of the many new activities that were successfully conducted by the Student Life staff, and because of the number of sick and injured students that were cared for by the nurses office, which is part of Student Life," President Joe Manjone said.

The Student Life Department received the traveling trophy and were treated to lunch with Manjone.

Jason Ramaker, dean of students who supervises the large department, recently took the time to reflect on winning the award and discuss the work his staffers do at Waldorf College.

Question: What was your reaction upon learning you had won the award? What does it mean to you and your staff?

Answer: I am very excited for the Student Life staff. Like many other offices on campus, it has been (a) nonstop ride since early August. There has been a lot of change with new people in the department, so it has been a real transition semester for our unit. There has also been a lot of adjustments that we are all getting used to with the increased number of students (such as) having more halls open, more international students, more students attending events, and more students with health, recreation and counseling needs.

Q: As dean of students, describe all of the areas you oversee. How does the structure work?

A: I oversee the following areas, which are mostly run by one-person departments except for Residence Life:
  

                -Security/Crisis Response

                -Intramurals Recreation

                -Student Activities/Orientation

                -Health Services

                -Counseling Services

                -International Student Coordination

                -Parking

                -Residence Life

                -Campus Ministry

The Student Life staff is a very mutually supportive group who are close, collaborative and crossed trained -- some in each others' areas. We meet every other week as a staff, and then I will meet individually with each staff member throughout the semester. I think it’s fair to say that we are driven by student success and a very student-centered team.

Q: Who are your employees and what are their job titles in Student Life?

A:Anna Moklestad, Student Life administrative coordinator

Jim Amelsberg, director of counseling

Mary Mathiasen, director of health services

Zach Van Cleave, director of intramurals and campus recreation

Amy Scott, director of Student Activities/Orientation

Momo Wolapaye, director of residence life

Kelly Youngblood, coordinator of campus ministry

Katie Mullaly, area coordinator of Johnson-London Hall and Timberland apartments/coordinator of First Year Experience

Andrew Saeger, area coordinator of Rassmusson and Ormseth halls/Campus Hearing Board specialist

Barry Bendickson, contracted security director for Winnebago Security

September Bickmore, area coordinator of Breen and Tanner halls/international student, Campus Information Center coordinator


Q: Describe the role of the Student Life Department at Waldorf College. What makes Waldorf unique?

A: Philosophically, our role is to support the mission of the college and help students achieve their full potential, develop passionate lifelong learners and prepare students for leadership and service in society. I would also say we have a huge role in the development of values as part of a student’s intellectual growth during their time here at Waldorf.

In general, our office is responsible for the general management of a comprehensive student life program that includes student activities, residence life, health services, counseling, multicultural programs, campus safety, crisis response, judicial affairs, campus information center, alcohol and drug education, spirituality and ministry, and student leadership through clubs and organizations. In sum, we actively support student engagement in the life of the campus community through the development of programs and services.

Q: Your department has so much to do with how students experience life on campus. That has to be rewarding for you and your staff. How do you do it?

A: We interact with students on the frontline every day, which makes our jobs very exciting. We play a lot of roles in the students life such as “parent,” mentor, teacher, coach, custodian, cop, counselor, friend, adviser, judicial hearing officer, energizer, etc. No day is the same, and we all have a lot of variety in what we do, which makes it so much fun. Our challenge is balancing the reactive kinds of situations with planning services and programs as we look ahead. I think my staff would say that watching students grow, mature and develop over their four years here as successful students is the most satisfying part of the job ...  knowing we were part of their life and learning experience while at Waldorf College.


Q: How many students work in Student Life?

A: We have 20 resident assistants (RAs), four assistant hall directors (AHDs), eight intramural/recreation officials, four members who are paid by SWAT (Social Warrior Activities Team), 14 orientation leaders, nine Campus Information Center desk workers, six mailroom workers, two Student Life workers, two summer RAs and four Student Senate officers. Seventy-three total, all paid. No unpaid workers.


Q: How long have you been at Waldorf and where did you work previously?

A: I am starting my fifth year at WC. Previously I was the director of residence life at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wis. (8 years). Before that I worked at Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.) as the associate dean of students.


Q: The traveling trophy is quite the award. (The Institutional Technologies Department created a cape for the warrior.) I guess you get to decorate it in some way?

A: We had a lot of fun discussing what we would do to the traveling accolade! We decided the perfect touch was to add a Warrior Helmet to the top with a little bedazzle! A lot of work went into fitting the helmet and attaching the gems. It’s all about the details! 


Q: I understand you were treated to lunch. Where did you go?

A: We had lunch with Dr. Joe in the dining hall. It was a lot of fun and a great excuse to get the entire staff together at one large table. I felt like I was with family at Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks, Dr. Joe!

Lastly, we in Student Life really appreciate the recognition. There are a lot of deserving offices and we feel lucky to have won for this month.

Student Life has a really diverse and fun staff. We do our best to be a visible presence on campus and to be strong advocates for students as a student centered team in principle and action. Our goal is to focus on how Student Life programs and activities support institutional goals related to retention. We continue to adjust and understand the issues and opportunities that arise on our changing and highly residential campus.

Waldorf launches material on iTunes U site

So, you missed the latest sporting event, radio show or fine arts event on campus?


Waldorf College has you covered. Numerous audio and video presentations featuring campus events such as football and soccer games, plays, convocations and student-produced radio shows are now available on iTunes U.

In general, the site allows colleges and universities to share content publicly at the iTunes Store and is a perfect way for students, faculty and staff to keep current on campus events using their mobile phones or personal computers.

To access the Waldorf page, users must first download and install  iTunes at Apple.com/itunes. At the iTunes page, search for Waldorf College. Here is a link to the site: http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/waldorf-college/id397156346. There you will find seven categories under "Experience Waldorf": Academic Enrichment, Athletics, Fine Arts, Soccer, Wal-TV, SWAT and KZOW Radio. All Waldorf content is free.

Ian Fuchs, a media specialist in the Communications Department, helped create the site. He said more material will be added to the site each week that he will announce periodically via Facebook. Fuchs worked with staff from the Institutional Technologies and Communications Department to get the audio and video on the Internet. Call Fuchs at Ext. 8242 or e-mail ian.fuchs@waldorf.edu. if you would like to add content to the library.

Following are examples of material currently available:

• Homecoming concert
• Fall Convocation and Opening Convocation
• KZOW student-produced radio shows
• Clips from football games

And here are videos to watch for:

• Waldorf Wind Symphony and Waldorf Jazz Band performances
• Theater production "Much Ado About Nothing"
• Student-produced TV shows

Fuchs hopes to have Torch magazine and Lobbyist newspaper available as e-books by the end of this semester.
Waldorf College is one of more than 800 colleges and universities that have active iTunes U sites. About half of these institutions -- including Stanford, Yale, MIT, Oxford and UC Berkeley -- distribute their content publicly at the iTunes Store.

Universities, such as Stanford, use iTunes U to provide students with class lectures and other materials. Looking long term, Fuchs hopes to start providing such content on the Waldorf site.

Waldorf alumnus elected president of Wartburg Seminary

The Rev. Stanley Olson

The Rev. Stanley N. Olson, a Waldorf College alumnus, has been elected president of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, effective Jan. 1.

Olson holds degrees from Waldorf College, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., Luther Seminary and Yale University. 

In 1997, Olson was honored with the Waldorf College Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He was cited "for inspiring leadership in the church as parish pastor, educator and bishop, and for outstanding dedication and service to community."

Olson graduated from Waldorf in 1966. He grew up on a farm near Eagle Grove.

In addition to serving congregations in New Ulm and Duluth, Olson has served as bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod, as executive director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Division for Ministry and as executive director of the ELCA Vocation and Education program unit.

"With confidence in God and deep appreciation for the mission and people of Wartburg Theological Seminary, I accept this call to serve as president," Olson said in a Western Iowa Synod ELCA e-newsletter. "Wartburg is a wonderful asset to the church. In these challenging times, the ELCA needs the kinds of leaders Wartburg is gathering and sending out. And Wartburg needs the church to send the people who should be nurtured for leadership and the resources and partnerships that will make that possible."

Alpha Chi offers $500 grants for undergrad research

Waldorf's College's Alpha Chi Honor Society is offering two $500 grants for undergraduate research.


One of the grants is available to an Alpha Chi member and the other is open to all students.


The grants can be used for lab materials, library materials, research-related travel, travel to present student work at a conference, workshop or other undergraduate research-related expenses. The expenses can be incurred anytime from now until August 2011o. The expenses could be related to a senior thesis, Honors Inquirere thesis, class project or other plan for conducting research.

"Any student who is conducting a significant research project should consider applying for this year’s Alpha Chi grants," said Suzanne Falck-Yi, associate professor of English and club advisor. "It’s a great way to find that extra money that might be needed to purchase books or journals, lab materials or other supplies, or to attend a conference to learn more about the project’s topic or to present the project at a gathering of other scholars."

Applications will be accepted through Nov. 23 and will be judged by Alpha Chi officers.

Students who are interested in applying should e-mail Falck-Yi at falckyis@waldorf.edu with a research statement including:


• A description of the project;
• The name of the project;
• The name of the faculty advisor(s);
• An overview of the projected time span for the research; and
• A proposed list of expenses.

Waldorf's Mason Harms named to 20 under 40 list

Mason dressed up as a carpenter
for Waldorf's Halloween festivities.

Mason Harms, Waldorf College's vice president for business affairs, has been honored by the Mason City Globe Gazette for his contributions to the community of Forest City.

Harms was one of 20 people profiled as part of a feature called "20 Under 40: North Iowans Who Make a Difference." He was nominated as a person in North Iowa age 39 or younger who is making a significant contribution to his community. His profile appeared in a special section in the Globe Gazette on Sunday. The story can be viewed online at http://tinyurl.com/29noayg.

Harms, 37, was credited for his leadership qualities and his dedication to helping his hometown grow. Harms is a member of the Forest City Rotary and the Forest City Economic Development Board of Directors.


Harms played a big role in guiding Waldorf College during its recent financial troubles. He led the financial and legal work necessary to complete the sale of the college to Mayes Education Inc.He recognized the college’s severe financial problems and discussed it with then-President Dick Hanson.

“(President Hanson) took my analysis seriously and we put things in motion,” he said. “Beyond the financial and legal mechanics we had to convince people it was the right thing to do."

-- Source: The Globe Gazette

Amnesty International Club to host movie on Thursday

The Waldorf Amnesty International Club is hosting a movie at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Small Pit adjacent to the Atrium.

The documentary film "Little Town of Bethlehem" tells the story of men born into the conflict in the Middle East who search for a means of reconciliation rather than fighting. The film is about finding peaceful means of ending the decades-long conflict between Jews, Muslims and Christians in Israel and Palestine, said Suzanne Falck-Yi, a club advisor and associate professor of English.

"The movie is going to be especially enlightening for anyone interested in human rights and, in particular, finding viable solutions to war-troubled regions," Falck-Yi said.

The movie shows how the theories of passive resistance promoted by Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi can be employed in the Middle East in an effort to bring peace to a troubled region.

The trailer for the movie is at http://littletownofbethlehem.org/.

A discussion will follow the 77-minute film and refreshments will be served.


Amnesty International is a human rights group. Anyone who is interested in joining the Waldorf group may contact advisors Momo Wolapaye at Ext. 8162 or wolapaye@waldorf.edu, Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson Ext. 8682 or kraftr@waldorf.edu or Falck-Yi at Ext. 8218 or falckyis@waldorf.edu.

Today is last chance to view gallery exhibit

Roger Varland

Today is the final opportunity to view the work of landscape photographer Roger Varland in the Waldorf College Gallery.

“A Landscape of Faith: Contemporary Landscape Photography by Roger Varland” will be on display today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a closing reception from 7 to 9 tonight. Varland is scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m.

The gallery is on the main level of the Campus Center. Students, staff and faculty members are encouraged to stop by for viewing, conversation and food, said Kristi Carlson, gallery director and associate professor of art.

Varland's images are from his exploration of the American cultural landscape. His work is described as "unsentimental images of the landscape and everyday moments."

Varland is associate professor of history and art at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Mich., where he teaches courses in photography and art history. Two years in Kenya and a semester in China have shaped his photography and classroom perspective. He and his wife, Deborah, also on the faculty, have taken students on 15 cross-cultural study tours to countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

The gallery is open to the public, and admission is free. It is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays when classes are in session or by appointment by calling (641) 585-8210.

For information about the Waldorf College Gallery, go to www.waldorf.edu/Art-Gallery or call (641) 585-8210.

Off-campus weekend happenings

Here are a few off-campus events to consider this weekend:

Saturday
Rudd's Halloween Happenings is 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Rudd Community Center. Event features a House of  Horrors, mini haunted house, maze and game room. The family event is sponsored by the Rudd Community Betterment Corporation. Details: Call (641) 756-3553 or (641) 398 2244.

Friday through Sunday
D&D Haunted Ranch will present the annual Haunted Hike from 7 to 11 p.m. each night. The ranch is at 2532 S. Shore Drive, Clear Lake. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and younger. Details: http://www.thedanddranch.com/ or (641) 357-1695.

Worship service added

Back by popular demand, Waldorf College worship leaders are adding a worship service at the end of the work week beginning Friday.

The Holden Evening Prayer service will be held at 5:10 p.m. Fridays in the Odvin Hagen Music Center Recital Hall.

"We have done it hear in the past and students have asked if we could start doing it again," said Steve Smith, assistant professor of religion.

 

Holden Evening Prayer is a 20-minute liturgical service. "The music in it is beautiful," Smith said.

The new Friday worship service is one of several offered on campus. Here are other worship services offered each week:

• Worship, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Salveson Ballroom, previously held in Atrium.
• Active Catholics to Serve (ACTS), 9 p.m. Thursdays, Odvin Hagen Music Center Recital Hall.
• Exit to Hope, 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Odvin Hagen Music Center Recital Hall.

Halloween activities kick off today

Halloween is arriving and Waldorf College has several activities planned across campus now through the weekend:

Today

• Pumpkin carving for students, faculty members and staffers is 3 to 5 p.m. today in the Campus Center Lounge. Pumpkins and tools to carve them will be available.  Faculty members and staffers are reminded to bring their pumpkins to the Salveson Ballroom by 9:30 a.m. Friday to participate in a contest. A separate contest will be held for students. Details: Amy Scott at Ext. 8726.
• The Waldorf College Theatre presents the sixth annual Haunted House: Don't Lose Your Head. Open 7 to 10 p.m., Smith Theatre. Details: Ext. 8288.

Thursday

• The Waldorf College Theatre presents Haunted House: Don't Lose Your Head. Open 7 to 10 p.m., Smith Theatre. Details: Ext. 8288.

Friday

• Halloween Lunch Bash and Costume Contest for faculty members and staff is at noon at Salveson Ballroom. Participants can reference an e-mail sent out Tuesday morning by Dawn Ramaker for details.
• The Waldorf College Theatre presents Haunted House: Don't Lose Your Head. Open 7 p.m. to midnight, Smith Theatre. Details: Ext. 8288.

Saturday

• Costume Bingo in Gatsby's Grill, 7 p.m. Hosted by Student Senate, students are invited to play bingo dressed in Halloween costumes. First- and second-place will be awarded for best costumes. Details: Jason Ramaker at Ext. 8161.
• The Waldorf College Theatre presents Haunted House: Don't Lose Your Head. Open 7 p.m. to midnight, Smith Theatre. Details: Call Ext. 8288.

Sunday

• Residence Life invites children from the community to walk through the dorms on Sunday, Halloween night for trick-or-treating from 5 to 10 p.m. Johnson and London, Breen, Tanner, Ormseth and Rasmusson will be open for trick-or-treaters.  Only the lobbies will be open to walk through, and children must have an adult present. Waldorf faculty members or staffers are welcome to bring their children. Details: Katie Mullaly at Ext. 8727.
• Social Warrior Activities Team will host the movie "The Crazies," which is set in a small Iowa town, at 2 p.m. in the Odvin Hagen Music Center Recital Hall. Details: Amy Scott at Ext. 8726.

Fall Convocation speaker's book available today

Monday night's Fall Convocation featured cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson who read from her book "Composing a Life." Copies of the book are now available at the Waldorf College Bookstore.

Mary Catherine Bateson reads from her book "Composing a Life"
during Monday's Fall Convocation at Waldorf College.


Bateson spoke earlier Monday to a group of senior citizens in Lake Mills, where copies of her book sold out.

The paperback version of the book is $14 plus tax. The bookstore can order hardcover versions for people who are interested, said Terri Van  Hove, bookstore assistant. 

Bateson is attending religion professor Steve Smith's class this morning and will meet students at noon for lunch in the cafeteria. Bateson will be available to sign books during this time.

An essay by Bateson appears in "Leading Lives that Matter," a book gifted to all first-year students the past two years that is used in two courses. Bateson was chosen in large part because her scholarship speaks directly to the concept of vocation, a central issue to a Waldorf education, said Bob Alsop, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college.

Details: Waldorf College Bookstore at Ext. 8159; http://www.marycatherinebateson.com/.

Waldorf's IT Department workers honored



IT Department staffers (from left) are Matt Hernes, Eric Guth, Julie Eischen, Tammy Larson and Carolyn Sunde.

 The department that keeps Waldorf College’s computers humming, the Institutional Technology Department and its six employees, is the winner of the inaugural Department of the Month award.

The October award begins a tradition of honoring the workers of a department each month. Nominations for November’s award will be accepted through 5 p.m. Tuesday. E-mail nominees to Cindy Carter, assistant to the president, at carterc@waldorf.edu.

The IT Department was recognized for all the work its staffers do to keep computer systems and networks operating, Waldorf President Joe Manjone said. They were treated to lunch and received a trophy.

“Without the IT department, you would not be getting this e-mail,” Manjone said in an e-mail to students, staffers and faculty members. “The IT Department was given this recognition because of the exceptional job that they are doing in providing students, faculty and staff with outstanding Internet and e-mail service and for the round-the-clock work hours that they have been maintaining to provide us with this service, and also for the excellent job that they did and continue to do in setting up, distributing and maintaining student computers.”

The IT Department staff is made up of six full-time employees who work year-round to keep about 1,000 computer accounts of students, faculty members, staffers and online users working. They also maintain the laptops of more than 600 students.

The IT staffers are:

Tammy Larson, lead systems analyst.

Eric Guth, technical support representative.

Matt Hernes, network systems manager.

Julie Eischen, technical support specialist.

Carolyn Sunde, IT assistant/financial aid associate.



Ken Styron, chief information officer.

The IT Department is busy all year long.

“We spend the school year meeting the various needs of all users, continuing into the summer when we prepare to do it all over again,” Larson said.

The biggest task in the department comes at the start or end of a semester when equipment is checked in and checked out, Larson said. That is when staffers have to assess, repair and clean used equipment for new users.

Once nominees are received, they will be reviewed by the President’s Council and a Department of the Month will be announced at the final Friday Coffee of the month in which the department will be honored. November's winner will be named Friday.