Lawrence University News

Lawrence University Hits New Student Enrollment Goal for Fall 2013

While many colleges around the country are still accepting applications for the 2013-14 academic year two weeks after the traditional May 1 deadline according to a survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Lawrence University has met its new student goal for the coming year.

Ken Anselment

According to Ken Anselment, dean of admissions and financial aid, Lawrence has met its enrollment goal of 400 new freshmen for the coming year. He expects to welcome 25 transfer students along with them.

“It is both a delight and a relief to say ‘We have a class,’” said Anselment. “Given how long students waited to make their decisions this year, I — along with many of my colleagues at other colleges — were a little anxious in those days heading up to the May 1 deadline waiting to see how they would come together. This group of new students will add to the vitality of the student population we already enjoy.”

With this class, Lawrence expects to open the 2013-14 academic year with a full-time, degree-seeking student population of 1,500 students.

The incoming class of 2017 represents 32 states and 24 countries. Wisconsin again accounted for the largest percentage of freshmen with just under a quarter of the class, followed by Illinois, Minnesota, California and New York.

The new students include Lawrence’s largest class of international students in the past 10 years — 53 — with China accounting for one-third (18) of them. With four each, Jordan and South Korea are sending Lawrence the second-most international students.

Twenty percent of the freshmen are domestic students of color, among the highest percentages in school history.

Academically, the new class is like the community it joins, in that the plurality ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating class — more than a quarter of them in the top 5 percent.  The average grade point average among the freshmen is 3.61 with an average ACT score of 29.

“While we’re always excited to talk about what our students look like before they arrive,” said Anselment, “the thing I always look forward to is seeing how they transform once they’re here.”

Nationally, more than 200 colleges were still accepting applications for Fall 2013 freshman and/or transfer admission as of May 16 according to the survey. Seventy-two percent of the respondents to the survey were private institutions and 28 percent were public colleges and universities.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Annual Harrison Symposium Showcases Student Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences

Exceptional student research and achievement in the humanities and social sciences will be showcased Saturday, May 18 during Lawrence University’s 16th annual Richard A. Harrison Symposium.

Twenty-nine presentations on topics ranging from classical music in video games to the disenchantment of youth in Colombian cinema to a power analysis of Somali piracy in the modern world will be delivered beginning at 1:30 p.m. in various locations in Main Hall.

A complete schedule of presentations, times and locations can be found here.

The presentations are arranged into panels by topic or field and are moderated by a Lawrence faculty member. Faculty nominate and invite students to submit an abstract of their research. Symposium participants are then selected based on the abstracts and present their work in the format used for professional meetings of humanities and social sciences scholars.

Each presentation lasts approximately 20 minutes and is followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session.

The symposium honors former Lawrence Dean of the Faculty Richard A. Harrison, who organized the first program in 1996. Harrison died unexpectedly the following year and the symposium was renamed after him to recognize his vision of highlighting excellent student scholarship.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Beloved Professor Emeritus William Chaney Remembered in May 18 Memorial Service

A memorial service celebrating the life and distinguished career of Lawrence University Professor Emeritus of History William A. Chaney will be held Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel.

A live webcast of the service will be available here.

President Jill Beck, 1985 graduate Jon Vanden Heuvel, Provost David Burrows, Professor of History Jerald Podair and Professor Emeritus of Government Minoo Adenwalla are scheduled to speak at the service.

In addition, Lawrence Conservatory of Music faculty members Kenneth Bozeman, John Daniel, Katherine Handford, Samantha George, Steven Spears, Jeffrey Stannard and sophomore Brandon Kreuder will perform during the service.

An iconic figure in the history of the college, Chaney died at his Appleton home March 15 at the age of 90.

A scholar of the Middle Ages, Chaney joined the Lawrence faculty in 1952 and was appointed the George McKendree Steele Professor of Western Culture in 1966. After officially retiring in 1999 after 47 years, he continued teaching one class First and Third Terms, including one last fall. His 61-years of teaching is the second-longest tenure in Lawrence’s history.

He was honored in 1973 as the first recipient of Lawrence’s Uhrig Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1973.

A legendary lecturer, Chaney captivated his audience, whether in the classroom, a Bjorklunden seminar room or at an alumni event. For many years, he hosted “salons” at his home, inviting small groups of students for intellectual discussions accompanied by classical music.

He earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees at the University of California-Berkeley and was a Fellow of the Society of Fellows at Harvard University. He was the author of the book “The Cult of Kingship in Anglo-Saxon England and contributed dozens of articles and reviews to professional journals.

Funds are being collected to bolster the William A. Chaney Fund for Excellence in History, an endowment that was established in 2011 to honor Professor Chaney. Funds from the endowment will be awarded for the first time to support Senior Experience projects, trips to archives, original research and other activities that immerse students in the real world of history.

Those who wish to contribute to this endowed fund may do so online or by calling 920-832-6557.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Student-Run Downtown “Pop-up” Gallery Offers Creative Venue for Local Artists

It’s back.

The Rabbit Gallery, a “pop-up” art gallery run by Lawrence University students, returns to downtown Appleton Thursday, May 16 with a grand opening from 5-8 p.m. in its latest location, 10 E. College Ave., (the former Avenue Arts store).

As a “pop-up” gallery, the Rabbit Gallery is by nature a temporary venue that utilizes empty downtown storefronts that are for sale or lease. Its goal is twofold: market the vacant properties to potential buyers and provide professional space for local artists to showcase their work.

The gallery features a wide range of artwork — ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media — created by community artists, Lawrence faculty, students and staff as well as area high school students. The gallery will operate from May 16 through June 8:  Wednesday and Thursdays, 4-8 p.m.; Fridays 4-9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-3 p.m.

The Rabbit Gallery concept is a product of the Lawrence economics class “Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Society,” part of the college’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship program.

“The Rabbit Gallery is an opportunity to bring our community together to celebrate art while showcasing a property that has been renovated and re-purposed in an exciting way,” said Lawrence senior Johnathan Vanko, one of the student organizers of the gallery. “Through this process we hope to also help develop and grow our downtown community.”

This will be the third edition of the Rabbit Gallery, having previous “popped up” in the gift shop half of Conkey’s Bookstore in 2011 and last spring it operated in the 500 block of W. College Ave.

The aim of the Rabbit Gallery is to create a bridge between Lawrence and the Appleton community by providing opportunities for both student and local artists to display and sell their work, while aiding in the development of the downtown Appleton area. The Rabbit Gallery sells its artwork for a lower commission than most stores and galleries, assists in the marketing and potentially the sale of a for-lease property, and teaches students about business, non-profits and the art world.

Joining Vanko in running this year’s gallery are seniors Mari Ayala, Allison Bjork, Deborah Levinson and Anam Shahid under the direction of Associate Professor of Art Rob Neilson and Lecturer of Economics Gary Vaughn.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Don’t Sit in Silence: Empty Chair Display Designed to Raise Awareness of Suicide Prevention

Lawrence University commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month with a starkly powerful representation of the number of people who die from suicide every day in the United States — 180 empty chairs.

The “Don’t Sit in Silence” event will be displayed Thursday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the plaza outside of the Warch Campus Center. In the event of inclement weather, the chair display will be moved to the gallery area inside the campus center.

Some of the chairs will feature simple postcards with anonymous messages written by Lawrence students, faculty or staff members, expressing both struggle and hope. Others will include self-expression masks that have been created by students over the course of the past three years as part of the on-going initiative designed to portray what we show and what we hide from others.

In addition, a series of stories submitted by students revealing how they have been impacted by someone’s suicide will be displayed.

“This very personal display is our contribution to a month-long series of local events acknowledging the impact of mental illness on so many of us and celebrating the resilience of those who draw hope and strength from others who care,” said Kathleen Fuchs, coordinator of Lawrence’s Lifeline Project and adjunct associate professor of psychology.

In conjunction with the event, a 30-minute film created by senior Sam Schilsky — The Lifeline Project Documentary — about suicide prevention and awareness on the Lawrence campus. The film covers prevention efforts the campus has taken in the past four years and is an informative piece about suicide awareness. It is a collaborative piece supported by multiple grants and Lawrence faculty, staff and students.

“Don’t Sit in Silence” is sponsored by the Lawrence Lifeline Project and the Lawrence Chapter of “To Write Love on Her Arms,” in conjunction with NAMI-Fox Valley and the Northeast Wisconsin Mental Health Connection.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

 

 

Theatre Arts Department Presents Irish Historic Drama “The Plough and the Stars”

Irish playwright Sean O’Casey’s dramatic story on Ireland’s revolt against British rule will be retold May 9-11 in four performances of Lawrence University’s production of “The Plough and the Stars.”

Performances will be staged in Stansbury Theatre of the Music-Drama Center at 8 p.m. each night with an additional 3 p.m. matinee Saturday, May 11. Tickets, at $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors (free to Lawrence students/faculty/staff with I.D.), are available at the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

Written just a decade after the “Easter Rising,” an armed insurrection staged in 1916 with the goal of ending British occupation of Ireland, “The Plough and the Stars” explores the events leading to the uprising as experienced by working-class occupants of a Dublin tenement house. Ten years after the uprising, O’Casey’s poetic portrayal of the still-sensitive subject matter sparked a riot at the play’s 1926 premier at the Abbey Theatre.

“Sudden political changes can spark unforeseen social consequences including divided families, civilian casualties and a crisis of faith in social institution,” said director and Professor of Theatre Arts Timothy X. Troy.”Our production will be thoroughly rooted in the close quarters of a tenement house in Dublin, highlighting the local accent, use of idiomatic language and how people with a variety of perspectives lived in same household.”

Employing both heartbreak and humor, O’Casey’s play focuses on the social and political complexities of the Easter Rising without glorifying violence in the name of freedom.

Junior Erik Morrison, an English and theatre arts major from Denver, Colo., spent the 2012-13 fall term studying theatre in Dublin.  He was cast in the production as Captain Brennan of the Irish Citizen Army.

“It’s great to be able to thank my Irish friends by doing a play central to their history and one that honors what’s best about Ireland and the Irish in times of crisis,” said Morrison. “I couldn’t think of a better play for such a bitterly polarized time in our own country.”

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

David Cordie Senior Experience Exhibited at UW-Fox’s Valley’s Weis Earth Science Museum

Mazon Creek fossilized fern frond.

As part of his Senior Experience, Lawrence University senior biology major David Cordie is curating an exhibition of fossils detailing climate change that will be featured at UW-Fox’s Valley’s Weis Earth Science Museum beginning Wednesday, May 8.

The exhibition features a dozen plant fossils from the Mazon Creek fossil bed in northern Illinois. Cordie also created several posters to accompany the fossils, explaining what they reveal about the region’s climate approximately 350 million years ago. It will be on display until mid-July. Cordie began the project last summer as part of an internship with Weis Museum director Joanne Kluessendorf.

“As director of the Weis Earth Science Museum, I want to take every opportunity to underscore the importance of the museum and its staff as a community resource,” said Kluessendorf.  “So, it was particularly enjoyable to share my expertise in paleontology as well as the museum fossil collections with a Lawrence student. David proved to be an excellent intern and I know that museum visitors will find his exhibit informative. I was also gratified that David chose to pursue a graduate degree in paleontology after this internship and has been accepted into the graduate program at the University of Iowa.”

The Weis Earth Science Museum is open Monday-Thursday, 12-4 p.m.; Friday 12-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Lawrence Hosts Premiere Screening of “Surviving Anschluss” May 7

Holocaust survivor Curtis Brown of Neenah will be one of four Viennese emigrés featured in the world premiere of the Lawrence University documentary film “Surviving Anschluss,” Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m in the Warch Campus Center cinema. The screening is free and open to the public.

Inspired by Lawrence’s May, 2012 multimedia Holocaust  Symposium, the film includes clips from the symposium as well as individual interviews with the four survivors. In addition to Brown, Anne Kelemen, Gerda Lederer and Renee Weiner, all from New York City, share their personal stories of fleeing Austria in 1938 to escape the Nazis. Anschluss refers to the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany.

The documentary, made by students in Lawrence’s Film Studies program, was produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Catherine Tatge, who is serving as an artist-in-resident at Lawrence, and co-directed and edited by Anna Ryndova Johnson.

The 2012 Holocaust Symposium was produced by Professor of Music Catherine Kautsky, who was inspired by the stories of her parents who emigrated from Vienna to America following the Anschluss. Collaborating with faculty members in departments and disciplines across campus and with assistance from the Lawrence Hillel chapter, Kautsky created a three-day commemoration that featured lectures, discussions, gallery exhibitions and concerts. A performance of Paul Schoenfield’s chamber work “Camp Songs” was a highlight of the symposium and excerpts are woven throughout the film.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Two State Educators Recognized by Lawrence University as ‟Outstanding Teachers”

Kelly O’Keefe-Boettcher and Kenny Bosch, teachers at Milwaukee’s Rufus King International School and Muskego High School, respectively, will be honored Sunday, May 5 with Lawrence University’s 2013 Outstanding Teaching in Wisconsin Award.

Both will receive a certificate, a citation and a monetary award from Lawrence President Jill Beck in ceremonies at the president’s house. In addition, their respective schools will receive $250 for library acquisitions.

Kelly O’Keefe-Boettcher

Nominated by Lawrence seniors, recipients are selected on their abilities to communicate effectively, create a sense of excitement in the classroom, motivate their students to pursue academic excellence while showing a genuine concern for them in and outside the classroom. Since launching the award program in 1985, Lawrence has recognized 60 high school teachers.

O’Keefe-Boettcher has taught in the Milwaukee School District since 1999, including the past 10 years at Rufus King, where she teaches American literature as well as courses affiliated with the International Baccalaureate.

Active in the Milwaukee Interfaith Conference, O’Keefe-Boettcher has provided assistance and resources to help students form religiously-oriented groups to help foster interfaith understanding and collaboration in the school, which boasts a racially, religiously and economically diverse student body. She serves as an advisor to the student organizations Jew Crew and Friends of Islam.

“A Powerhouse Woman”

O’Keefe-Boettcher was the founder of Rufus King’s peer mediation program, which facilitates resolution of student conflicts and was instrumental in securing a $35,000 federal CLEaR Justice Grant for Rufus King and developed an anti-bias program to promote social justice teaching around issues of class, language, ethnicity and race.

Calling her “a powerhouse woman,” senior Jared Marchant praised O’Keefe-Boettcher’s ability for “coaxing students away from their comfort zones and pushing their intellectual boundaries” in nominating her for the award.

“Kelly prepares her students not only to succeed in English classes, but to succeed as informed, self-motivated global learners,” wrote Marchant, a 2009 Rufus King graduate. “She teaches and exemplifies the values of the liberal arts, encouraging her students to expand their thinking to examine the big picture and to take action in their own learning. Her standards are high, but she never sets her students up to fail.”

O’Keefe-Boettcher was the recipient of the 2009 Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Black School Educators Teacher of the Year award and in June will be presented Northwestern University’s 2013 Distinguished Secondary Education Teacher Award.

A Milwaukee native, she earned both a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on small group counseling and a master’s degree in educational policy from UW-Milwaukee.

Kenny Bosch

Bosch joined the Muskego High School faculty in 2002, where he teaches social studies classes, including sophomore U.S. history and AP U.S. history. He began his teaching career in 2000 at Turlock (Calif.) High School.

“Excellent Motivator”

He helped create Muskego’s Freshmen Mentor Program, for which he was recognized with the 2005 “Good Idea Award” by Partners for Education, Inc. Bosch also creates instructional videos to help teachers use technology more effectively for a video newsletter and is writing a chapter for the forthcoming education book “Flipping 2.0.”

Active in coaching on various levels since 1999, he has served as head coach of the Baylane Middle School 8th-grade girls team the past 11 years.

Lawrence senior Kaye Herranen described Bosch as “an excellent motivator” and “endlessly patient” in nominating him for the award.

“While Mr. Bosch certainly drives his students to do their very best and expects great things of them, he never pushes them too far,” wrote Herranen, a 2009 Muskego High School graduate. “He’s a teacher that students can’t help but like, even as he challenges them academically. It’s no surprise that I’m a history major at Lawrence. Mr. Bosch gave me his passion for history.”

A native of Franskville, Bosch earned a bachelor’s degree in broadfield social studies with a history concentration from Lakeland College and a master’s degree in education from UW-La Crosse.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Campus Screening of Just-Released Film Comedy “Oconomowoc” Features Plenty of Lawrence Connections

Andy Gillies is returning to his alma mater, and he’s bringing his directorial debut film with him.

The 2004 Lawrence graduate will be on hand for a screening of his feature-length film “Oconomowoc” Thursday, May 2 at 9 p.m. in the Wriston Art Center auditorium. Sponsored by the Lawrence University Film Club, the screening is free and open to the public.

Gillies, who wrote, directed and acted in the film, will conduct a Q & A following its screening.

A deadpan comedy set in its title Waukesha County town (the hometown of a one-time girlfriend of Gillies), the film has more Lawrentian fingerprints on it than just Gillies.’ The story follows 20-something slacker Lonnie Washington, portrayed by fellow 2004 Lawrence graduate Brendan Marshall-Rashid with “goofy soulfulness” as noted by the Hollywood Reporter, who moves back home.

Quirky characters abound, including Todd, Lonnie’s 30-year-old stepfather played by 2005 Lawrence grad Andrew Rozanski, and Travis, an old friend eager to recruit Lonnie in a poorly run T-shirt making business, portrayed by Gillies.

Deemed “an engagingly cynical ode to futility” by Slate Magazine, the film’s do-it-yourself aesthetic is complimented by an improvised acoustic score composed by Gillies, Marshall-Rashid and director of photography/editor Joe Haas.

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 2013 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. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.