MyLU Insider

Deanna Kolell

Author: Deanna Kolell

Lawrence University Book Club Presents Sumana Roy

Friday, Feb. 23 | 9-10 p.m.
Warch 204 – Cinema

Join us for a discussion and Q&A with Sumana Roy about her 2017 book How I Became a Tree, which was shortlisted for the Shakiti Bhatt Prize.

This fiction work utilizes first-person narrative to mix memoir, literary history, nature studies, spiritual philosophies, and botanical research to prompt readers to think of their intrinsic connection with the natural world.

Reading the book is not required!

LU Alternative Spring Break at Björklunden

You can now sign up for the Alternative Spring Break to Björklunden, March 18-22!  

We will depart from Lawrence’s campus on Monday, March 18 at 9:30 a.m.  We will return to Lawrence on Friday, March 22 by 12 p.m. 

The deadline to sign up and pay is March 1, 2024, but space is limited, and priority will be given to students that first sign up and pay their deposit (payment information and instructions below).

If you are interested in attending but the fee would present a barrier, or paying the fee before March 1 presents a challenge, please contact Second Year Dean Juan Arguello at juan.arguello@lawrence.edu

What will you do during the alternative spring break?  

We have a week full of stewardship and sustainability service projects to give back while also learning and feeling connected to the great outdoors! While you will have plenty of time and opportunities for fun and relaxation, both at Björklunden and in neighboring towns, this alternative spring break focuses on service to help preserve the natural beauty of Door County and make it better than when we arrived!  

Below is a list of some of the activities that you we have planned: 

  • Kick-off event with Door County’s Poet Laureates Tom Davis and Ethel Mortenson. 
  • Explore the Björklunden grounds with guided tours to learn more about all of the unique trails, sustainability projects, and hidden gems! 
  • Support the design and creation of a new trail at Björklunden! 
  • Optional evening events including bonfires, game nights, crafts, and other theme nights. 
  • Visit a Wisconsin state park or nature preserve to take in the natural beauty while working on land stewardship projects. 
  • Experience unparalleled star gazing at a dark sky park (weather permitting). 
  • Enjoy a group outing to the beautiful village of Sister Bay for an evening of food and fun!  

Payment instructions 

Once you sign up, go to Voyager to pay your $75 deposit. Fee waivers are available (If you need a fee waiver, please contact Juan Arguello juan.arguello@lawrence.edu).  The deposit is non-refundable and will be used to pay for the costs of the trip. Please see below for more information about how to pay the deposit.   

  1. Go to Voyager 
  2. Select Student Services 
  3. Select Student Account.  
  4. From there the “button” for paying the deposit is located in your overview page (circled in the image below).  
  5. Click the button and follow the prompts to make the payment.   
  6. Follow the prompts provided to make and complete the payment.
Voyager Screenshot
Alternative Spring Break Flyer

Physics Colloquium

Douglas Martin: How to Build a Microscope

Monday, Feb. 19 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Youngchild 115

Optical microscopes were first used to observe single biological cells 350 years ago. Contemporary research microscopes have improved about 100-fold in resolution, field of view, and color sensitivity, yet remain limited to major research projects due to cost and complexity.

This talk presents an open-source microscope my colleagues and I have developed and built from off-the-shelf and 3D printed parts. This OSM is capable of: seeing single molecules and molecular motors; watching living cells divide (and imaging the entire mitotic process); and recreating Einstein’s experiment that demonstrated the existence of atoms. There will even be a live demo!

Spoerl Lecture Series

Ojibwe place based perspectives on air, land, water, and fire – Mike Wiggins Jr.

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Steitz 102

Mike Wiggins Jr. was recently appointed the Site Director at the Madeline Island Museum. Previously, he served 12 years as Tribal Chairman/Executive Director of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. He recently ended his last term in November of 2023.

Wiggins is a major advocate for the conservation of natural resources and the protection of water. In his time as Chairman, there were many environmental protection issues that the Tribe proactively stood up for including issues with mining, oil pipelines, CAFO’s and water privatization.

Before becoming the Chairman of the Bad River Band, Wiggins served as a conservation warden for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and oversaw a Bad River AODA Prevention Program working with Tribal Youth.

Wiggins got his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UW-Superior in 1992, and in 2019 he was honored as an Outstanding Alumni of UW-Superior. In his free time Wiggins enjoys playing guitar and utilizing the hunting, fishing, and gathering Treaty Rights his Ojibwe ancestors reserved around the Lake Superior region.

Guest Recital: Paul Dietrich

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 8-9:30 p.m.
Harper Hall

Paul Dietrich has been described as “an apt bandleader, an exceptional composer, and a superlative performer” (All About Jazz) and “a skilled composer” (JazzTrail) and his music has been praised as “stunningly beautiful” (Audiophile Audition) and “captivating” (Chicago Jazz Magazine).

A composer, trumpet player and educator based in the Midwest, Dietrich has been the leader of the Paul Dietrich Quintet since 2012 and the Paul Dietrich Jazz Ensemble since 2016. The Chicago-based Quintet has released two albums: Focus (2017, ears&eyes) and We Always Get There (2014, Blujazz). The Paul Dietrich Jazz Ensemble’s 2019 album Forward features guest artist and world-renowned drummer Clarence Penn (Dave Douglas, Maria Schneider) alongside many of the Midwest’s best jazz musicians, including Greg Ward, Russ Johnson, Dustin Laurenzi, Matt Gold, and Andy Baker.

This concert is free and open to all!

Cultural Expressions

Presented by Black Student Union

Saturday, Feb. 24 | 7-9 p.m.
Warch 224 – Esch Hurvis

Cultural Expressions is Black Student Union’s highly anticipated annual talent showcase, where Black and Brown students across campus express themselves through art mediums such as song, dance, poetry, film, and so much more.

BSU’s marquee event that wraps up Black History Month, Cultural Expressions serves as an ode to the Black and BIPOC communities of LU and beyond, displaying to all the beauty of our backgrounds.

Panel Discussion – “The Importance of Black History in the United States”

Monday, Feb. 26 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Wriston Auditorium

Come listen to our faculty and staff discuss the importance of Black History in the United States. We look forward to this discussion and to hear questions from all of you.  

  • Moderator: Anna Ponder, VP for University Advancement
  • Panelists:
    • Carla Daughtry, Associate Professor of Anthropology
    • Betsy Schlabach, Associate Professor of History
    • Jerald Podair, Professor of History and Robert S. French Professor of American Studies

CCE Winter Olympics

Feb. 12-17

The CCE Winter Service Olympics is a new winter event aimed at helping Lawrence students participate in volunteer-related and community engagement activities while competing in friendly, purpose-driven events throughout the week. Students can compete as individuals or in teams (up to 10 students per team) to earn points through participation in daily activities and events. The three winning individuals or teams will be crowned as CCE Olympic champions.

Check back with the LU Careers and Community Instagram for event updates!

Feb. 12 | Civics & Society

Vikings Vote! | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room
Do you want to impact campus voting initiatives? Stop by the CCE’s table to share feedback with us about your ideas for events, activities, and information/resources. Anyone who stops by is entered to win a raffle! It takes less than 5 minutes, so stop by today!

Intro to Voting Tabling | 2-5 p.m. | Warch Lobby
Stop by the table to learn about voting resources, ask questions, and get voting merch! The first election of 2024 is on February 20th, so now is the perfect time to start preparing!

Vikings Vote! | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room

Writing to your Reps Workshop | 5-6:30 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room

Feb. 13 | Fair Housing & Hunger

Ethical Volunteer Training | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Warch 204 – Cinema

Self-Care Kit Making for Senior Citizens | 7-9 p.m. | CCE – Warch 4th Floor

Feb. 14 | Public Health & Wellness

Sledding Relay Race | 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Cards & Cocoa | 6-7 p.m. | CCE – Warch 4th Floor
Join our CCE student staff in writing fun “Thank You” cards to health professionals in the Appleton area! This event will be a relaxing time to show appreciation for all that healthcare workers do, especially for underrepresented healthcare professions. Free hot chocolate will be provided!

Wellness BINGO | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room

Feb. 15 | Child Advocacy/Environment & Sustainability

Pledge for Our Planet | 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Warch Lobby
Stop by to make your Pledge to the Planet! There will be petitions to sign, volunteer opportunities, whiteboard questions, and plenty of prizes! Students, staff, and faculty can all do our part to help our world.

Volunteering & Your Career | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room
Learn how to make the most of your experiences at Lawrence with the CCE and the Career Center! Led by the Assistant Director of Internships, Rich Marshall, this seminar will address how students can reflect on experiential learning opportunities (volunteering, internships, etc.) and expertly summarize them during resume-writing, interviews, and more!

Friendship Bracelet Making | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Warch 320 – Gallery

Feb. 16 | Arts & Education/VITAL/First of Many

5-7:30 p.m. | Warch 320 – Gallery
Join the CCE for a 3-for-1 event as part of the CCE Winter Olympics and LUgge! We will be painting canvases of shelter pets for the Saving Paws Animal Rescue, doing trivia questions based on “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?”, and writing letters of advice to first-generation students. We hope you can participate!

Feb. 17 | Catered Lunch Olympic Ceremony

1:30-2:30 p.m. | Warch 324 – Somerset
Today wraps up the final day of the CCE Winter Olympics, part of LUgge! We will be having a catered lunch for all students who join us, and we will be crowning the Olympic Champions for both teams and individual competitors. Join us to celebrate everyone’s efforts this week!

Valentine’s Day Open House

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
International House

Join us for a cozy Valentine’s Day Open House at International House!

Get creative making personalized cards for your loved ones and friends, and have a blast decorating cookies. Enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.

It’s a fun way to celebrate love – bring your friends, and let’s make this Valentine’s Day extra sweet!