Lawrence University News

Lawrence Mourns the Death of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Cliffe Joel

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Cliffe Joel died Thursday, Jan. 9 in Williston, Vt. He was 81.

Cliffe-Joel-web
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Cliffe Joel

Cliffe joined the Lawrence faculty in 1968 and taught the full array of chemistry courses, including his personal favorite, “Chemistry of Your Brain,” until his retirement in 1997. During his 29-year tenure in the chemistry department, Cliffe played a leading role in creating innovative curriculum for Lawrence’s involvement with the ChemLinks Coalition.

He served as president of the Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference in the late 1970s and chaired the committee that revised Lawrence’s honor code in the 1980s. He spent 10 years serving as one of the college’s original “faculty associates,” eating meals with students in the residence halls and setting up review sessions.

Upon his retirement, Cliffe said working closely with individual students, especially those with either an academic or personal problem, was the most meaningful aspect of his career. “I’ve always tried to be a good listener, help them get things off their chest, put things in perspective and steer them toward a solution,” he remarked at the time.

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1932, Cliffe spent much of his youth in Vista, Calif., where his family owned an avocado farm. He graduated from Pomona College and went on to earn a Ph.D. in biological chemistry from Harvard University. He spent seven years conducting research at Harvard Medical School, focusing on the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain, which was related to the current omega-3 fatty acid trend, before joining the Lawrence faculty.

Cliffe spent much of his retirement living in Oceanside, Calif., near where he’d grown up. He volunteered in the Stephen Ministry Program and taught NAMI classes before moving to Vermont in 2010 to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Classical music and singing were among his passions and he demonstrated his love for nature through camping, hiking, traveling and gardening. He ran marathons and in his later years was known for his long walks with his walker affixed with two vases he filled with flowers he picked along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Emma, and her son, Daniel Cullinan and daughters Lisa Cullinan and Deborah Cullinan and husband Kevin Cunz; two daughters, Dr. Lisa Angstman and husband Paul Angstman, and Sara Joel and husband Dr. Ashesh Mehta; son, Eric Joel; 13 grandchildren; and his former wife and friend, Dr. Peteranne Joel and her partner, Don Manley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Me2/Music for Mental Health, which can be made online or mailed c/o Lisa Angstman, 127 Brookside Dr., Williston, VT 05495. Online condolences may be left at www.gregorycremation.com

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

Lawrence Purchases Former Bank Building in Downtown Appleton

North-Shore-Bank_newsblog
Lawrence recently completed a purchase of the former North Shore Bank building at 320 E. College Ave. in downtown Appleton.

A long-empty building on the east end of downtown Appleton has been acquired by Lawrence University.

The college recently closed on the former North Shore Bank building, 320 E. College Ave. The 10,800-square-foot, two-story office building with 56 parking spaces behind it, has been vacant for nearly three years. The purchase price was $284,000.

Given the building’s proximity to Lawrence’s main campus, administrators felt the building provided a good opportunity to add space, although specific uses for the building are still being discussed.

“Lawrence is committed to helping maintain a vibrant downtown in Appleton. We’re excited about this property and its possibilities,” said Jake Woodford, assistant to President Mark Burstein. “We are still in the process of exploring the best ways to use the building long-term, but in the immediate term, we look forward to making use of the additional parking space it provides the campus.”

The building sits directly across the street from a second property Lawrence owns in the downtown business district. That building, located at 313 and 319 E. College Ave. between Taste of Thai restaurant and Serenity Candles, has been used as administrative or faculty offices since the early 1990s.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

Lawrence President, Provost Issue Statement Opposing Academic Boycotts

In response to calls by several academic associations for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions because of that country’s occupation of Palestinian territories and restrictions on Palestinian students and scholars, Lawrence University President Mark Burstein and Provost and Dean of the Faculty David Burrows have jointly issued the following statement.

LU_Logo_primary_sm

“A central principle of a liberal arts education is the ability to discuss differing opinions in an environment that supports the exchange of ideas and the learning that comes from that exchange.  At Lawrence we have supported this value of discourse since our founding 167 years ago.

“The longer we live and work within an academic community, the more deeply we are convinced that our most precious possession is the freedom to speak what we think, and to listen thoughtfully to one another.  Whatever our political commitments, whatever the nature of any government’s policies, no boycott should interfere with this freedom of academic discourse either here or at universities elsewhere in the world.  So we have joined the officers of other American universities, the American Association of University Professors, the Executive Committee of the Association of American Universities, and the President of the American Council on Education—all of whom oppose the call by the Association of American Studies to boycott Israeli academic institutions.”

Mark Burstein, President
Dave Burrows, Provost and Dean of the Faculty

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Banta Bowl Renovation Project Receives $250,000 Grant from Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

MASTER PLAN_1_PERSPECTIVE_10-19-2012.psd
An architectural rendering of the renovated Banta Bowl, including a widened playing field with synthetic surface, new press box, locker rooms, restrooms and entrance plaza.

Lawrence University has received a $250,000 Tourism Development Grant from the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau for the renovation of the Banta Bowl. The grant, reviewed and approved by the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Tourism Development Grants Committee and its Board of Directors, will be distributed over a five-year period at $50,000 per year.

The proposed Banta Bowl renovations include raising and widening the field to accommodate soccer and lacrosse and the installation of a high-quality synthetic playing surface making the field more durable. This durability will increase opportunities for community groups to use the facility.

The project also will include new seating, locker rooms, press box, concession, restrooms, lighting, LED scoreboard and entrance plaza, all contributing to a modern, state-of-the-art stadium experience. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.2 million.

“Lawrence is delighted to have the support of the Fox Cities for our highest priority capital project,” said Lawrence University President Mark Burstein. “Investment in a new Banta Bowl is the latest example of the long-standing relationship between the college and the community including Mile of Music, the Civic Life Project and the Division III Baseball World Series. I strongly support our football program and want to thank the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for their investment in Lawrence football and sports throughout the region. ”

The renovated Banta Bowl could attract a sizable number of visitors for overnight stays each year. The wider field will enable Lawrence to host regional youth soccer tournaments and summer camps, while the durable new turf will allow for concerts and events like the WIAA state football playoffs or even semi-pro football games. The new lighting opens up the opportunity for night games and the entire stadium feel positions it well for signature “championship” games.

“The Bureau’s Tourism Development Grants Committee along with its Board of Directors is thrilled to be able to offer this grant to Lawrence University,” said Chris Haese, Grants committee chair. “The renovations to the Banta Bowl will not only provide a boost to the Lawrence athletic program, but will also provide a great opportunity to enhance sports tourism, both of which will benefit the economy of the Fox Cities.”

The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to strengthen the Fox Cities economy by attracting meeting, sports and leisure visitors through sales, marketing and destination development. Visitor spending in the Fox Cities was more than $392 million in 2012. The bureau estimates that spending created 5,500 jobs and $125 million in income for Fox Cities residents.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

Abby Guthmann Wins Grand Prize in ACM Photo Contest

Abby Guthmann’s study-abroad experience in Tanzania generated a lifetime of memories—and an award-winning photograph.

The senior biology major from St. Paul, Minn., was selected as the Grand Prize winner in the Abby Guthmann's "Girls in the Shambaas"Associated Colleges of the Midwest’s 2013-14 Off-Campus Study Photo Contest. Guthmann’s photo, “Girls in the Shambass” was taken while Guthmann was hiking through the Usambara Mountains in northern Tanzania.

“Children would often run after us and ask for their pictures to be taken,” said Guthmann. “These two followed me through the shambass, hoping to get a few more pictures. After asking if I could take one more, they grinned and clenched their fists with excitement as I took the photo and showed it to them.”

Guthmann traveled to Africa in fall 2012 to participate in the ACM Tanzania program Ecology and Human Origins at the University of Dar-es-Salaam. Her photo was selected among 109 entries submitted for the contest by ACM colleges’ off-campus study offices. Guthmann’s winning photograph will be part of a traveling digital photo exhibit at ACM campuses during winter and spring 2014.

This is the second year in a row that a Lawrence University student has taken home the Grand Prize in the ACM Off-Campus Study Photo Contest. Xavier Al-Mateen ’13 took top honors last year with a photo he took during a study-abroad trip to Senegal.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

Lawrence Historian Monica Rico Honored as Fox Cities “Future 15”

Lawrence University historian Monica Rico has been selected one of the winners of the 4th Annual Fox Cities Future 15 Young Professionals awards.

Monica-Rico_newsblog
Monica Rico

Rico and her fellow Future 15 honorees, selected from among 102 nominations, will be recognized at an event Thursday, Jan.  23 at the Communication Arts Center on the UW Fox-Valley campus.

The Future 15 awards is part of the Pulse Young Professionals, a program of the Fox Cities Regional Partnership. They recognize young business and community leaders for their efforts in work, civic and charitable causes. Future 15 recipients are chosen based on their dedication, strong sense of vision for the Fox Cities and understanding of the importance of volunteering and giving back.

Rico, associate professor of history, joined the faculty in 2001. Her research focuses on gender and cultural history, especially of the American West. From 2010 to 2013, she served as the college’s Pieper Family Professor of Servant Leadership and director of engaged learning.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

An Exciting New Year

In_the_Mail

While most of the world is counting down to the end of 2013, the Lawrence University admissions team is hitting the fast forward button to 2018. Admit packets are in the mail to 600 seniors who applied for Early Action admission—inviting them to join the Lawrence Class of 2018. Members of the admissions staff (pictured) merrily carried admit packets to the Lawrence mailroom earlier this week.

“While holiday cards and letters fill mailboxes this holiday season, we suspect there’s a little more joy when that envelope comes from Lawrence,” said Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Ken Anselment. “We hope that for these students and their families, receiving an admit packet from Lawrence makes for a nice holiday gift.”

For those students still considering Lawrence, there’s still time! The deadline for Regular Decision is January 15.

Artist Alice King Case Passes Away, Taught Art at Lawrence for 20 Years

Long-time Lawrence University art department instructor Alice King Case died peacefully Monday, Dec. 16 at Appleton’s St. Elizabeth Hospital following a brief illness. She was 76.

Alice_King_Case_newsblogAn accomplished artist who specialized in drawing, collage and abstract painting, Case joined the Lawrence art department in 1980 after teaching art classes in suburban Chicago for 21 years. Through her initiative and insistence, Lawrence introduced computer-assisted art courses to the department curriculum in 1987.

In addition to teaching, she directed Lawrence’s art education program, supervising the certification of nearly 50 future art teachers before retiring in 2000. She remained in Appleton in retirement and continued to teach an occasional figure drawing class or tutorial for another four years. Upon her retirement, Case said Lawrence had “changed her life. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Born in Pittsburgh in 1937, Case lived a bit of a nomadic childhood, living in seven different states by the age of 16 before settling in the Chicago area, which she called home until she moved to Appleton in 1980.

She was a two-time recipient of Artist-in-Residency awards to the Vermont Studio Center, one of the country’s leading creative communities for working artists. Her art was showcased in national juried and invitational exhibitions in more than 30 galleries across the country and several of her works were used as compact disc covers for Lawrence Conservatory ensemble recordings.

Alice earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art at Coe College and pursued graduate studies at Northern Illinois University and Bennington College through the Massachusetts College of Art.

She is survived by two daughters, Cathleen Robertson, Appleton, and Marianne Case, Milwaukee.

A time of visitation will be held at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton, on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a prayer service to follow. The funeral liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton. An additional time of visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

The Gift of Music: Lawrence Conservatory Offerings for Holiday Shoppers

Still looking for a holiday stocking stuffer? A pair of recently released CDs by the Lawrence University Wind Ensemble and Lawrence faculty jazz percussionist Dane Richeson will fit neatly into just about any size stocking.

Performed under the direction of conductor Andrew Mast, the 16-track Wind Ensemble disc features seven pieces performed between 2005 and 2010. It includes six world premieres from Lawrence commissions as well as the first-ever digital recording of Vincent Persichetti’s “Turn Not Thy Face.”LU-Wind-Ensemble-CD-Facebook

“This disc represents a culmination of several passions of mine – the creation and performance of new music written by amazing friends and colleagues who have all given wonderful gifts of repertoire to the wind ensemble world,” said Mast. “This disc enables me to share and celebrate these treasures.  Additionally, the inclusion of Persichetti’s  “Turn Not Thy Face,” represents the first digital recording of this work by one of my favorite composers. I truly believe there is something for everybody on these two discs and I am incredibly honored that so many people were involved with them, including students from several years of the Wind Ensemble.”

Richeson’s “Maxim Confit” features many of his friends both inside and out of the Lawrence Conservatory of Music. The nine-track jazz disc blends Richeson’s infectious drum work with the musical chops of pianist Bill Carrothers and saxophonist Jose Encarnacion, both colleagues at Lawrence, along with an array of all-star artists outside the campus, including saxophonist David Liebman, guitarist Vic Juris, and fellow percussionists Jamey Haddad (drums), Joe Locke (vibraphone/marimba), and Michael Spiro (bata/congas).

Maxim-Confit-web“It was great fun collaborating with so many great friends and colleagues in the music business on this project, some of whom I’ve worked with for years and some of whom I worked with for the first time,” said Richeson. “I’m really proud of this work. It’s raw jazz seasoned with a dash of world percussion from cultures I have been fortunate to live in. The tracks are quite different from each other, which keeps the listener wondering what to expect next.”

Both CDs — as well as several other Lawrence-affiliated recordings — are available at Lawrence Apparel and Gifts in the Warch Campus Center . They can be ordered online as well as purchased in person.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

 

 

Lawrence Offering $2,500 Reward for Information on Student Hit-and-Run Accident

Hit-n-Run-Vehicle_newsblog
This still photo provided by the Appleton Police Dept. was taken from a video camera. It shows the person and the car she was driving police believe was involved in a hit-and-run accident that injured a Lawrence student the night of Oct. 9 in the College Ave. crosswalk in front of the Lawrence Chapel.

In an effort to help identify the driver of a hit-and-run accident involving a Lawrence University student, college officials, in conjunction with the Appleton Police Department, have announced a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person driving the vehicle.

“Lawrence is proud of its strong relationship with the Fox Cities and so we’re reaching out to the community asking for its help in bringing some resolution to this situation,” said Nancy Truesdell, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “This accident has been hard on Shannon, her family and friends. We hope someone will come forward to provide the assistance the police need to pursue appropriate action.”

Lawrence sophomore Shannon Grant sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg and a fractured pelvis, when she was stuck around 10 p.m. Oct. 9 while crossing the westbound lane of College Ave. in the crosswalk in front of the Lawrence Memorial Chapel. The crosswalk is equipped with automated flashing lights at the street level and imbedded in the pavement and both were working at the time of the accident.

Shannon-Grant_newsblog
Shannon Grant ’16

Based on video footage, Appleton police believe the vehicle is a late-model Chevrolet Impala, possibly silver or gray. The suspected driver, a woman wearing medical scrubs, was later found on surveillance video in a nearby parking lot getting out of the vehicle and inspecting the front of the car.

Lawrence and the Appleton Police Department are collaborating on a flyer depicting the suspect vehicle and driver. When completed, it will be distributed to businesses, hospitals and schools in the Fox Cities.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run accident is asked to contact Appleton police Sgt. Brian Leitzinger at 920-832-5541. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can text information to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of the message.

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 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.