Lawrence University News

Prof. Gustavo Fares leads post-film discussion on PBS documentary

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Gustavo Fares

Lawrence Professor of Spanish Gustavo Fares will will lead an audience discussion following the screening of “Peril and Promise (1980-2000),” part of the award-winning PBS documentary series “Latino Americans.”

The screening, Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Appleton Public Library, 225 N. Oneida St., is part of a series of of community programs highlighting 500 years of diversity and achievement by Latino Americans. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2013 six-hour PBS series chronicles 500 years of Latinos in the United States with a focus on the struggles and triumphs of the film’s characters. It features nearly 100 Latinos, including Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dolores Huerta, co-founder with César Chávez of the National Farm Workers Association, author/commentator Linda Chávez, who became the highest-ranking woman in President Reagan’s administration, and award-winning actress and singer Rita Moreno.

Latino-Anerican-logo_newsblogA partnership between Lawrence, the Appleton Public Library, Casa Hispana and the History Museum at the Castle is collaborating on a series of events for the program “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History and Culture.”  The program is supported by grants Lawrence receivedWHC color logo copy from the American Library Association and the Wisconsin Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

As part of the programming, the Appleton Public Library is currently hosting an exhibition of works by Milwaukee-based Mexican artist, author and illustrator Francisco X. Mora that will run through Feb. 29. Mora will lead a children’s-focused program at the library Jan. 30.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.         

Lawrence receives additional $5 million challenge for scholarship endowment

$5M-gift_newsblogOn the heels of successfully completing a $25 million challenge match, Lawrence University has been presented another opportunity to boost its student scholarship support.

An additional $5 million commitment by the same anonymous donor who issued the $25 million challenge a year ago, has been pledged on the condition Lawrence makes every effort to raise $10 million in matching funds by December 31, 2016.

Both the gift and the matching funds would be applied to an endowment for student scholarships that currently stands at $51.9 million.

Charlot Singleton, who serves as chair of the Board of Trustees’ development committee says this newest commitment is “significant.”

Char Singleton_newsblog“Such generosity will allow us to recommit ourselves to the founding principle of educational access for all capable students,” said Singleton, a 1967 Lawrence graduate. “We can be proud of becoming the kind of institution that places that highest priority on ensuring a Lawrence education that remains affordable to all students.”

Two weeks ago, Lawrence announced it had raised nearly $27 million in just 15 months toward the original matching gift during its “Full Speed to Full Need” initiative. The latest challenge, when successfully completed, will add another $15 million toward the ultimate goal of creating a scholarship endowment of $75 million, a total that will make Lawrence a full-need institution.

“The impact of the gifts to the Full Speed to Full Need campaign is already making a huge difference in the lives of many Lawrence students,” said Hugh Denison, a 1968 Lawrence graduate who serves as chair of the FSFN initiative. “Our ultimate goal is to see that every student has the comfort of knowing that funds will be available for them to finish their education here. While we have had spectacular success in our efforts toward that goal, there is still much work to be done. I would urge every graduate of the college to consider a gift to this vital mission.Hugh-Denison_newsblog_2

“Our success in completing this campaign will insure that Lawrence remains among the national leaders of liberal arts colleges,” Denison added.

As a full-need institution, Lawrence will be able to provide financial assistance to make up any difference between what a family can contribute and what federal and state programs provide toward the comprehensive fee.

“When we are successful with this phase of the campaign,” said Ken Anselment, dean of admissions and financial aid, “we will be able to support all Lawrentians at a level that allows them to take full advantage of the Lawrence experience.

“This campaign will put Lawrence on the short list of colleges in the country that meet the full need of all their students,” Anselment added.  

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.         

 

Lawrence doctor recognized as state “Family Physician of the Year”

Dr. Kelli Heindel, who has served as Lawrence’s university physician since January 2010, has been named Wisconsin’s “Family Physician of the Year.”

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Dr. Kelli Heindel

A family practitioner with Appleton-based ThedaCare, Heindel was recognized by the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians.

“It has been clear since Dr. Heindel began serving as one of Lawrence’s physicians that she is a dedicated, skilled and caring professional,” said Nancy Truesdell, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “Our students recognize how fortunate they are to have Kelli working with them as they take steps to promote their own health and wellness.”

In addition to her work with Lawrence students in the campus Wellness Center, Heindel has served as a family physician for more than 20 years and sees patients at her office at ThedaCare Physicians-Appleton North, where she serves as the practice’s assistant medical director. She also provides volunteer care to underserved patients at a local clinic and serves as a mentor to students thinking about or pursuing a career in medicine.

In her role as a mentor, Heindel is committed to helping physicians, especially new doctors coming out of residency, establish a work/life balance.

“I think they all tire of hearing me say, ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint,’ but generally all have been appreciative of the advice and role modeling,” said Heindel, a native of Wausau. “I would like to hope that means they will then be with our group and the community for very long and productive careers.

A diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Heindel earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry at Carroll College. She earned a master’s in physiology and a medical degree from the University of Wisconsin.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Author, activist Angela Davis to deliver keynote address at annual Martin Luther King Jr. community celebration

Social justice icon, scholar and author Dr. Angela Davis will deliver the keynote address at the 25th annual community celebration of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Monday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Breaking the Chains of Injustice.” The event is free and open to the public. A sign language interpreter will be present.

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Dr. Angela Davis

The annual commemoration of Dr. King’s life and legacy is jointly presented by Lawrence University and Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities, with the support of The Post-Crescent, numerous Fox Valley organizations, churches and individuals.

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Davis has devoted her life to social justice movements domestically and internationally as a student, writer, scholar and activist/organizer. Much of her latest work focuses on social problems associated with incarceration and the generalized criminalization of those communities that are most affected by poverty and racial discrimination.

“It is with great pride and excitement that we look forward to having Dr. Angela Davis deliver our keynote address at the 25th anniversary of our community celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Kathy Flores, the diversity coordinator for the City of Appleton and chairperson of the MLK organizing committee. “As an activist, educator, author and prison abolitionist, Dr. Davis continues to inspire me. I know her message will inspire all of us that evening.”

In 1970, Davis was placed on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted List.” She spent 18 months in jail and on trial before being acquitted by a jury. Davis has drawn on those experiences as an author of nine books, including 2005’s “Abolition Democracy” and 2003’s “Are Prisons Obsolete?” in which she argues for “decarceration.”

Davis, who studied at Brandeis University and the Sobornne in Paris, is currently Distinguished Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and of Feminist Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz, where she has spent the past 15 years.

Her career as an educator and scholar has seen Davis teach at San Francisco State University, Mills College, University of California Berkeley, Stanford University and Vassar College, among others.

Nominations are currently being accepted for two Jane LaChapelle McCarty-MLK Awards, one for a community leader and one for an educator. The community leader award honors an individual who has brought different people in the community together in the spirit of Dr. King. The educator award recognizes an individual who educates in the spirit of Dr. King.

Limited to two pages in length, nominations can be submitted to the attention of Dr. Bola Delano-Oriaran and Dr. Sabrina Robins via email at fcdrmlkevent@gmail.com by Jan. 6, 2016.  Nominations should include contact email addresses and phone numbers of the nominee and the nominator. Award recipients will be announced Jan. 18 at the community celebration.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Saxophonist Daniel Whitworth earns second-place honors in state music competition

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Daniel Whitworth ’18

Lawrence University student saxophonist Daniel Whitworth earned second-place honors Nov. 14 in the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Young Artist Solo Scholarship Competition held Saturday in Manitowoc.

A sophomore from Highland Park, Ill., Whitworth received a $1,000 second-place prize and will be a featured soloist March 5, 2016 during the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble’s concert at the Manitowoc Capitol Civic Centre. A student in the saxophone studio or Sumner Truax, he will play Ingolf Dahl’s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Concert Band” at the concert.

The Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Young Artist Solo Scholarship Competition, for woodwinds, brass, percussion and piano students, is open to musicians up to the age of 25.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

Lawrence, community partners celebrate Latino American history

A series of programs highlighting 500 years of diversity and achievement by Latino Americans will be conducted in Appleton over the coming months beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2 with a film and discussion.

A partnership between Lawrence University, the Appleton Public Library, Casa Hispana and the History Museum at the Castle will provide a series of community events including film screenings, an art exhibition and a Latin-themed concert for the program “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History.”Latino-Anerican-logo_newsblog

The program is supported by a pair of grants Lawrence has received: a $3,000 grant from the American Library Association and a $7,585 grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“This grant provides a great opportunity, particularly when Latinos are at the center of national politics, to help highlight the role of Latinos in the history of the Fox Cities,” said Jake Frederick, associate professor of history at Lawrence who specializes in Hispanic ethnicity. “It also allows several partner organizations a chance to connect with one another as well as the Latinos who make up so much of our community.”

Opening the series will be a screening of two segments of the award-winning PBS documentary series “Latino Americans” at the Appleton Public Library.

Latino-America_newsblogThe first segment, “Foreigners in Their Own Land (1565-1880)” will be shown Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The second segment screening, “Peril and Promise (1980-2000),” will be held Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Both are free and open to the public.

Lawrence faculty members Jake Frederick, associate professor of history, and Gustavo Fares, professor of Spanish, will each lead an audience-based discussion following the respective film screenings.

The 2013 six-hour series, chronicles 500 years of Latinos in the United States with a focus on the struggles and triumphs of the film’s characters. It features interviews with nearly 100 Latinos, among them 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dolores Huerta, co-founder with César Chávez of the National Farm Workers Association, author and commentator Linda Chávez, who became the highest-ranking woman in President Reagan’s administration, and award-winning actress and singer Rita Moreno.

“This grant provides a great opportunity, particularly when Latinos are at the center of national politics, to help highlight the role of Latinos in the history of the Fox Cities.”
— Lawrence historian Jake Frederick

The Appleton Public Library also will host an exhibition of works by Milwaukee-based Mexican artist, author and illustrator Francisco X. Mora Jan. 4-Feb. 29. Mora personally will visit the library Jan. 30 to lead a children’s-focused program.

“Libraries are all about making connections and we’re delighted to be collaborating with the Appleton Public Library as well as our own academic departments to extend our connections within the community,” said Peter Gilbert, director of Lawrence’s Mudd Library.Latino-American_newsblog2

An art exhibition — “Selections from the Estampas de la Revolución Mexicana Portfolio” — showcasing the portfolio of 16 artists from the Taller de Gráfica Popular (“The People’s Graphic Workshop”) of Mexico City from Lawrence’s permanent collection will be held Feb. 11-March 11, 2016 in the Mudd Gallery of Lawrence’s Seeley G. Mudd Library. Founded in 1937 to advance revolutionary social causes, the TGP is an artists’ print collective. Wriston Art Center Director and Curator Beth Zinsli will deliver a gallery talk on the history and iconography of the Estampas portfolio at 4 p.m. the day the exhibition  opens.

On April 11, Lawrence Conservatory of Music faculty members Jose Encarnacion, saxophone, Matthew Michelic, viola, and Anthony Padilla, piano, along with special guests, will present the concert “A Celebration of Hispanic and Latino-American Music” at 7 p.m. at Riverview Gardens in Appleton.

The grants will also support Lawrence’s fifth annual Latin American and Spanish Film Festival April 20-23, 2016. The festival highlights award-winning contemporary cinema from Spain, Mexico and South America.

Latino Americans: 500 Years of History, a public programming initiative produced by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA), is part of the NEH initiative “The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square.”WHC color logo copy

The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence students earn five firsts at state singing competition

Lawrence University students claimed five first-place finishes at the annual Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition held Nov. 6-7 at UW-Eau Claire.

Alexander Quackenbush, Sun Prairie, and Clover Austin-Mueleck, San Francisco, Calif., won the men’s and women’s first-year division, respectively.

Yonah Barany, Portland, Ore., and Annie Mercado, Des Plaines, Ill., took top honors in the second-year men’s and women’s division, respectively.

Ian Grimshaw, Nellysford, Va., earned first-place honors in the men’s third-year division, while Elisabeth Burmeister, Chicago, Ill., received second-place honors in the third-year women’s division. Burmeister finished second in the second-year women’s division in 2014.

Austin-Mueleck and Grimshaw are students in the voice studio of Ken Bozeman, Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Music. Quackenbush and Barany study with Associate Professor Karen Leigh-Post. Mercado is a student of voice teacher John Gates. Burmeister studies in the voice studio of Joanne Bozeman.

Twelve of Lawrence’s 19 entries advanced to the finals in the competition, which drew nearly 400 singers from around the state. First-place finishers receive $150, while second-place finishers received $125.

The NATS competition features 22 separate divisions grouped by gender and level. Depending upon the category, competitors are required to sing two, three or four classical pieces from different time periods with at least one selection sung in a foreign language.

Alex-Quackenbush_newsblogClover-Austin-Meuleck_newsblogYonah-Barany_newsblogAnn-Mercado_newsblogIan-Grimshaw_newblogPictured (from left): Alex Quackenbush, Clover Austin-Mueleck, Yonah Barany,  Annie Mercado and Ian Grimshaw.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Fox Cities students to benefit from Lawrence scholarship initiative; matching gift campaign raises nearly $52M

Mission accomplished.

Less than 15 months after presented a challenge of matching a $25 million gift from an anonymous donor for student scholarships, Lawrence University has more than met the challenge of its “Full Speed to Full Need” initiative.

Paulson-family_newsblog
The Paulson family — Sarah, Nick ’14, Tom, Mary and Erik ’16 — have established a scholarship that will target students in their hometown of Kaukauna.

Several recent gifts pushed the match total to $26.9 million, enabling Lawrence to establish an endowment of just under $52 million that will be used exclusively for scholarships to help meet students’ demonstrated financial need.

During the Full Speed to Full Need campaign, 48 new student scholarships were created, including one by a Kaukauna family that will directly benefit local students.

The Paulson Family Scholarship, established by Tom and Mary Paulson, and their three children, Sarah, Nick and Erik, will provide the full demonstrated financial need for four years to a Kaukauna High School graduate attending Lawrence.

With a focus on high-need applicants, the scholarship will be awarded once each year to a student for a total of up to four recipients. The goal after four years is a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior will attend Lawrence as a Paulson Scholar.

In the absence of a qualified student from Kaukauna High School, the full-need scholarship will be awarded to a student from any Fox Valley high school.

“Having a local family support Fox Cities’ students is extremely moving to me,” said Lawrence President Mark Burstein. “While Lawrence attracts applicants from across the country and around the world, we are honored that every year many local residents choose Lawrence. The Paulson Family Scholarship will help us attract and support excellent students from our own back yard.”

Tom Paulson said he wanted to create the scholarship in part because “Lawrence is often overlooked due to the financial barrier.”

“Our vision is to make Lawrence accessible to motivated students who may not have the financial means for a Lawrence education,” said Paulson, who graduated from Lawrence as a non-traditional student at the age of 32 in 1993 thanks in part to the financial support he received from the college.

Paulson-Scholarship_newsblog2Beyond Tom, the Paulson family connection to Lawrence includes son Nick, a 2014 Lawrence graduate who is employed at the college as a residence hall director and campus life student organizations coordinator, and son Erik, a senior at Lawrence. Sarah is a graduate of St. Norbert College. Like their parents, Nick, Erik and Sarah are all Kaukauna High School graduates.

Tom Paulson enrolled at Lawrence on a part-time basis in 1983 through a tuition remission program set up with the Institute of Paper Chemistry, where he was employed as a research technician. When the IPC relocated from Appleton to Georgia Tech in 1989, he and his wife remained in town but were left without the tuition remission program. Students must be enrolled full time to be eligible for scholarships and grants at Lawrence.

“The creative financial assistance Lawrence brought to the table enabled me to continue my education,” said Paulson, who re-enrolled in 1989 while also working full time as lab manager at Integrated Paper Services. “My professors were extremely generous and sensitive to my needs in balancing full-time work, class schedule, lab schedules and my family life. I can’t envision this type of accommodation at any other institution.”

“While Lawrence attracts applicants from across the country and around the world, we are honored that every year many local residents choose Lawrence. The Paulson Family Scholarship will help us attract and support excellent students from our own back yard.”
— President Mark Burstein

Paulson said Lawrence’s style of education and its focus on fostering creativity were important factors in his two sons following in his footsteps.

“Building strong personal bonds with administrators, professors and peers is vital for success academically, personally and professionally,” said Paulson. “Both of my sons thrived at Lawrence and have become critical thinkers with a passion for learning.”

Since announcing the Full Speed to Full Need matching gift challenge in September 2014, Lawrence received a total of 426 gifts. The support for the scholarship initiative was as broad as it was swift, with more than half the donors (236) contributing $500 or less. The college did receive 48 gifts of $100,000 or more, including seven of $1 million or more.

“When we embarked on this $25 million challenge, we thought it would take five years to accomplish,” said Cal Husmann, vice president for alumni, development and communications. “We are amazed that we were able to raise this amount of money in 15 months. We are so honored and inspired by the response of the Lawrence community who contributed to this initiative which makes Lawrence more affordable to more students. Every gift of every size makes a difference.”

For the 2015-16 academic year, 69 percent of Lawrence’s 1,500 students are receiving need-based financial aid packages that average $35,483.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Christyn Abaray named director of athletics

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Christyn Abaray

Christyn Abaray is the new Lawrence University Director of Athletics, President Mark Burstein announced today.

Abaray takes over for Mike Szkodzinski, who announced this past spring he was stepping down to devote his full attention to coaching the Vikings’ ice hockey team. Abaray has served as director of athletics at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, since June 2012.

“Lawrence University’s liberal arts focus comes to life for me in the engaged learning process both on the playing field and in the classroom,” Abaray said. “I find myself drawn to this type of environment, where students are learning for the sake of learning and are developing the skills necessary to be the future leaders of our ever-changing and interconnected world. It’s exciting to join the Lawrence community and become a part of their journey, learning along the way myself.”

Abaray was selected after a national search that resulted in an applicant pool ranging from coast to coast, according to Burstein.

“We were very fortunate to have many talented individuals interested in joining Lawrence thanks to the momentum established by Mike Szkodzinski and our coaching staff,” Burstein said.

“It was clear from our first conversation with Christyn that she knew how to lead a successful athletic program within a liberal arts college environment. Her passion for the scholar-athlete experience, her focus on excellence, both on the playing field and in the classroom, and her interest in sustaining a welcoming campus community for all Lawrence students made her the perfect choice.”

Part of Abaray’s motivation for joining the team at Lawrence was the potential of the Vikings’ athletic program.

“I truly feel that Lawrence is in prime position for athletics success with its dedicated coaching staff and its aspirations for more, with its commitment illustrated by resource allocation to human capital and by improvements in the physical plant,” Abaray said.

Abaray currently oversees 19 intercollegiate teams and a group of more than 40 coaches and staff at Buena Vista, an institution of 1,225 students that competes in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. She also serves as the college’s Title IX coordinator.

During more than three years at Buena Vista, Abaray oversaw the conversion of the athletic department’s in-house website to PrestoSports and was a player in a fundraising effort for new lights at the baseball and softball complex. Abaray noted that during her tenure at Buena Vista, she has worked to build a strong sense of community within the athletic department along with more integration of athletics into the larger fabric of the university.

“Christyn’s commitment to having a high-quality athletics program that contributes to the education of our students is very exciting for all of us here at Lawrence,” Provost Dave Burrows said. Abaray reports directly to Burrows, who added, “She clearly has great energy and is very positive about the future of athletics at Lawrence.”

In speaking with Abaray’s colleagues, praise was universal for her and her work. Abaray’s associates describe a woman who “understands that athletics is about student development first and foremost.” Another colleague said, “her vision is two-fold. It’s all about the student-athlete experience, but she is also very competitive. She wants winning programs.”

[Christyn’s] passion for the scholar-athlete experience, her focus on excellence, both on the playing field and in the classroom, and her interest in sustaining a welcoming campus community for all Lawrence students made her the perfect choice.”
— President Mark Burstein

Colleagues at Buena Vista describe Abaray as a great thinker, honest, tough, compassionate, accessible and a wonderful advocate for her department.

“Hopefully that is who I am,” said Abaray, who has a husband, Chris, and two children, Jackson and Jade. “I know that’s who I think I am, and that’s who I try to be every day.”

Abaray spent nearly eight years working at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania before her stint at Buena Vista. She joined the Swarthmore staff as the assistant director of athletics in August 2004 and was promoted to associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator in 2007. From that point, Abaray supervised all sports, coaches and fundraising accounts. Abaray also served as the department’s compliance coordinator, was a liaison for the Dean’s Office and the adviser for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

While completing her master’s degree in exercise and sports science at the University of North Carolina from 2001-03, Abaray served as an intern in the athletics business office.

Abaray is a 2001 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where she earned bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and environmental studies. Abaray, who was inducted into WashU Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, was a four-year starting defender for the women’s soccer team.

A three-time first-team All-University Athletic Association and All-Central Region selection, Abaray earned All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 1998.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Give. Watch. Share. 12-hour live Giving Day show celebrates all things Lawrence

With apologies to Lorne Michaels and the late great Don Pardo, “LIVE…from the Hurvis Center…it’s Giving Day.”

It’s the Little Apple(ton), not the Big Apple, but starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Lawrence University will stage its second annual “Giving Day,” a 12-hour live extravaganza webcast worldwide, featuring a cast of thousands, or at least dozens, ranging from President Mark Burstein and Mile of Music co-founder Cory Chisel to head football coach Rob McCarthy and the Lawrence Faculty Jazz Quartet.

Giving Day newsblog
Giving Day co-host Kasey Corrado (right) gets ready to try out a pair of hip waders courtesy of biologist Bart De Stasio (center) as he gives her a primer on doing research out in the field during 2014’s Giving Day live show..

The show will include interesting interviews and eclectic performances celebrating things happening at the college and showcasing the people and programs that make Lawrence distinctive.

Held for the first time in November, 2014, Giving Day is a special one-day opportunity for alumni and friends to show their support for Lawrence and its programs. Last year’s Giving Day, with the help of “game changers” who matched donations, raised $1.1 million for the college.

Kasey Corrado, Lawrence’s social media specialist, returns for her second stint as co-host of the 12-hour live show. She will be joined by senior Jon Hanrahan, a piano performance major from Johnsburg, Ill.

The webcast, available at go.lawrence.edu/givingday, will feature hourly “themes” on such topics as diversity, the arts, community service and of course, academics. From 7-8 p.m., everyone will be asked to don their thinking caps for a 60-minute trivia warm-up for Lawrence’s real deal 50-hour contest coming in late January.

Last year’s Giving Day was such a surprising success. Although we had planned for months, nothing really prepared us for what it turned out to be,” said Corrado, who is looking forward to reprising her one-part Barbara Walters, one-part Ellen DeGeneres role of a year ago. “I’m excited to see what happens this year.”

During the course of the show, Corrado will be more than just a passive host. She’s planning on learning a little Mandarin, creating a work of art with the help of sculptor Rob Neilson and boning up on her chemistry knowledge with chemist Stefan Debbert.

“I love that I get to co-host this show again,” said Corrado, whose first hosting stint came less than six months after getting hired at Lawrence. “As corny as it sounds, I feel like I’m getting to help make history at Lawrence.”

“Compared to last year, this is a far more ambitious undertaking, so I fully expect all kinds of interesting things to go wrong. It is 12 straight hours after all.”
— Rachel Crowl

Hanrahan, whose qualifications for his co-host role include four year’s performing with Lawrence’s improvisational troupe Optimistic Feral Children and three years as a trivia master, says his game plan is simple: Just dive in.

“I’m going to keep a curious mind turned on and gently nudge guests to the point where they have no choice but to share what they think, deep down, makes Lawrence such a weird, wonderful, impactful place,” said Hanrahan, who claims he’s made it through an entire trivia contest weekend without the aid of caffeine.Giving-Day_newsblog

Hanrahan says he’s excited about interacting with what he calls a line-up of “funny, smart, or strange people.”

Amid all the fun and games, Hanrahan wants the viewers to also appreciate the purpose of Giving Day.

“I really want our older viewers to come away with a reminder of what a transformative place Lawrence can be and I hope that current students get a glimpse of what goes on in the buildings that they don’t typically enter.”

Rachel Crowl, one of the masterminds behind this year’s Giving Day live show, will again handle all the off-camera chain saw juggling that goes with staging such a production.

“Compared to last year, this is a far more ambitious undertaking, so I fully expect all kinds of interesting things to go wrong. It is 12 straight hours after all,” Crowl said with a laugh.

Since July, Crowl has donned her executive producer/director/writer hat, scouring the campus for “talent.”

“I just used my institutional Rolodex to cajole, bribe and otherwise convince friends on the faculty and in the student body to appear on the show so we could cram as many facets of life at Lawrence as possible into 12 hours,” said Crowl, who promises a few surprises along the way. “I feel it’s my responsibility to put on a show that’s crazy entertaining, informative and one that makes the viewers want to support the institution.”

#LUGives15

According to Cara Gosse, director of annual giving, last year’s Giving Day trial run “surpassed our wildest expectations.”

“We were blown away by the way the college community pulled together to celebrate Lawrence, past and present,” said Gosse. “This year we have more than 200 Game Changers—alumni, parents and friends — who are providing matching funds to motivate others to support our students and the school they love. We’re so excited to do it all again. We want this year to be bigger, better, and bLUer.”

The complete Giving Day webcast schedule can be found here.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.