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17 Days of Kindness

Kindness is a key component of community, particularly a community like Lawrence’s that values acceptance and belonging. Our 3rd annual 17 Days of Kindness community-wide campaign begins April 11!

17 Days of Kindness is a Lawrentian tradition that showcases the best of our community through a mix of events, gratitude, and a celebration of the intentional and random acts of kindness that make Lawrence so special. There will be events across campus that will span the 17 Days that will give faculty, staff, and students the opportunities to share gratitude with those who have impacted Lawrence students virtually and in person, and kindness to ourselves through self-care.

17 Days of Kindness has a kickoff planned for Thursday April 11 outside Warch Campus Center and ends on April 27 with our annual President’s Ball!

Full List of 17 Days of Kindness Events!

  • 17 Days Kickoff – April 11 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Outside of Warch Campus Center
  • Ice Cream Social – April 12 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Outside of Warch Campus Center
  • Be Kind to Yourself: Mirror Affirmations – April 13-14 | Various Campus Restrooms
  • Friendship Bracelets – April 14 at 7-8 p.m. | Mead Witter Room WCC
  • Crafts & Cookies – April 15 at 1-3 p.m. | International House
  • National Stress Awareness Day – April 16 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Warch 1st Floor
  • Gratitude Giveaway – April 17 at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Warch 3rd Floor
  • Petal It Forward – April 18 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Warch 3rd Floor
  • Consent is Kindness – April 19 at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Warch 3rd Floor
  • U-Stuff It – April 20 at 3 p.m.-5 p.m. | Mead Witter Room WCC
  • Blu’s Crew Scavenger Hunt – April 21 at 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Starts in Mead Witter Room WCC
  • SLUG Garden Open Hours – April 22 (Earth Day) at 6-8 p.m. | SLUG Garden
  • Skilled Trade Workers Day – April 23 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. | Outside Warch
  • Big Prize Bingo – April 24 at 8-10 p.m. | Somerset Room WCC
  • Kindness Shouts – April 25 at 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Raymond House
  • LU Spirit Day – April 26 at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Outside Warch
  • LU Softball vs. TRB – April 27 at 1-3 p.m. | Whiting Field
  • PRESIDENT’S BALL! – April 27 at 8 p.m.-Midnight | Pusey and Somerset Rooms WCC

Forever a Lawrentian

Come join us for this three-day “Forever a Lawrentian” event April 11-13.

Forever a Lawrentian is all about connecting students to our amazing and vast Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA); a community of scholars, change-makers, and supporters that all students will become part of when they graduate.

Our alumni want to meet current students and provide them with the support they need to be successful at and beyond Lawrence. At Forever a Lawrentian events in April students engaged with and received advice from the LUAA Board of Directors. These connections will give students an advantage in their career journeys both while at Lawrence and after graduation.

Read more on the Lawrence website

Schedule of Events

Thursday, April 11

The Job and Internship Showcase: Nonprofit, Education, and Social Impact

4:40-6:30 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room

  • This event is all about facilitating meaningful connections between employers and Lawrence students in a relaxed and informal setting. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about organizations, internships, and early career opportunities.

Career Chat: A conversation on careers in sexual violence advocacy, compliance, and more

4:40-6:30 p.m. | Memorial Hall – Diversity & Intercultural Center

  • Join Sara Holtzman, Director of Equity and Title IX Coordinator, and Maggie Schmidt ’12 Attorney at the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, in a conversation on careers in sexual violence advocacy, compliance, and more.

Young Athletics Alumni Panel – How Being a Student-Athlete Prepared Me for My Career

7-8:30 p.m. | Warch 204 – Cinema

  • Come to this panel to hear from young athletics alumni on how being a student-athlete helped get them ready for their careers post-Lawrence. Panelists are:
    • Danielle Dixon ‘20 – Women’s Soccer, Current Job: First Grade Teacher
    • Brad Sendell ’22 – Men’s Basketball, Current Job: Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach + Golf Pro
    • Nora Robinson ’21 – Women’s Track & Field, Current Job: Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
    • Gabriel Baker ’20 – Football & Men’s Track & Field, Current Job: Senior Financial Analyst II, Amazon / LUAA Board of Directors

Friday, April 12

Spin the Wheel the Forever a Lawrentian edition

12-2 p.m. | Outside Warch

  • Participate in this event to learn more about the alumni community, win free t-shirts, and receive an entry into the Forever a Lawrentian Giveaway.

Networking Presentation and Reception

5-6:30 p.m. | Warch 324 – Somerset

  • Stop by Somerset to get some networking tips before putting them to practice as you meet with our Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA) Board of Directors.  We will also have a station for students to get free professional headshots!

Cheers to our Seniors

8:30-9:30 p.m. | Memorial Hall – Viking Room

  • Our alumni community is going to raise a glass to the Class of 2024. Seniors, join us and meet members of the alumni community that you will soon become a part of. The first drink is on the Alumni Team! 

Saturday, April 13

Sit and Chat with Alumni

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Warch 324 – Somerset

  • Join us for lunch and get to know our LUAA Board of Directors and local alumni who are working in the Career Communities you want to join. We will also have a station for students to get free professional headshots!

Ask Alumni Panel

1-2:15 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey

  • Hear from and ask questions directly to alumni who have been in your shoes. This panel will be moderated by Matt Murphy ’06 and the panelists include: Tracy Donald ’95, Rebecca Frostenson ’04, Gayatri Malhotra ’14, Gabriel Baker ’20, Hugh Dellios ’83, Michael Stein ’80, Rick Chandler ’74, and Elizabeth Anderson ’10.

    Learn more about the panelists

Alumni of Color Q&A Panel

2:30-3:30 p.m. | Memorial Hall – Diversity and Intercultural Center

  • We are excited to have an Alumni of Color panel this year for students to hear directly from our alumni on their experiences at and after Lawrence. This panel will be moderated by Brienne Colston ’15 and the panelists will include: Jiayi Young ’94, Mohit Gupta ’11, Bob Currie ’74, Gayatri Malhotra ’14, and Tracy Donald ’95.

Conservatory Alumni Q&A Panel

2:30-3:30 p.m. | Shattuck 156

  • Come to this panel to hear directly from alumni of the Conservatory of Music.  Get advice from them about their time in the Con or learn how their degree helped them in their life after Lawrence. This panel will be moderated by Brad Grimmer ’06 and panelists will include Chuck Erikson ’02, Alison Guthrie ’86, Matt Murphy ’06, Schuyler Thornton ’14, and Sarah Koenigs ’09.

Guest Recital: Ksenia Nosikova, piano

Saturday, April 13 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Harper Hall

This event is free and open to the public!

Pianist Ksenia Nosikova, praised as “First rate” (Germany’s Fono Forum), “Full of dramatic intensity” (London’s International Piano), “Subtle and expressive” (France’s Journal L’Alsace) “Impressive musicianship, musically very poetic” (Boston Globe), and “Refined sensibility and exquisite pianism” (New York Concert Reviews), has performed extensively in Europe, Asia, Russia, USA, Canada, and South America. The scope of her concert engagements expands from prestigious professional concert venues, such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall in New York City, Shanghai City Hall in China, City Hall Theatre in Hong Kong, Chetham’s International Piano Series in England, and Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, to major academic institutions world-wide, including over 180 American universities’ guest artist series. Her diverse and extensive repertoire list consists of masterworks and lesser-known pieces, as well as over 30 piano concertos.

She has recorded for Profil Medien, Albany Records, Centaur Records, and Capstone Records labels. Among her nine critically-acclaimed recordings are the complete Years of Pilgrimage by Franz Liszt, called an ‘outstanding achievement’ by Classics Today and “super disc” by London’s International Piano magazine. A graduate of Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and University of Colorado, Dr. Ksenia Nosikova is a Professor of Piano and Co-Chair of Piano Department at the University of Iowa. Her students have won prizes at various national and international competitions and have been accepted to prominent music programs, including Curtis, Juilliard, Colburn, Eastman, and Peabody. She has presented over 300 master classes in the US and abroad, most recently at the Beijing Central, China, Shanghai, Wuhan, Xian, Sichuan, Tianjin, and Shenyang conservatories and Hong Kong Academy in China.

She is an artist faculty member of the Semper International Music Festival in Italy and Wiener MusikSeminar International Master Classes in Austria. Her 2019-2020 concert engagements have taken her to Brazil, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Prague. She is a member of the American Liszt Society’s Board of Directors and the Artistic Director of Piano Sundays at Old Capitol Concert Series (IA). Ksenia Nosikova is a Steinway Artist.

The Future of Journalism

Wednesday, April 10 | 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Main 201

The journalism landscape is in the midst of unprecedented transformation. But what precisely constitutes journalism? How will it evolve in the coming years, and where can one discover the burgeoning opportunities within this dynamic field?

Join us for an intellectually stimulating event that delves into the multifaceted world of journalism and its profound influence on our democratic society. Esteemed panelists, all Lawrence alumni, will dissect the intricacies of reporting, storytelling, and media’s pivotal role in shaping public discourse.

Alumni Panel

  • Luther Abel ’22 – Nights and Weekend Editor, National Review
  • Nathan Heffel ’02 – On-Air Host, Colorado Public Radio
  • Kate Morton ’18 – Reporter, Wispolitics.com

Moderated by Ty Collins from the Career Center and English Professor David McGlynn.

Guest Recital: Kenneth Johnson, trombone

Wednesday, April 10 | 8-9:30 p.m.
Harper Hall

Dr. Kenneth Johnson is a dedicated trombonist and educator newly relocated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is originally from Fredericksburg, VA, where he began playing trombone in elementary school under the guidance of his musician parents. He has been the Principal Trombonist in Sinfonia Gulf Coast in Destin, FL since 2017 and is a founding member of the Brass Institutes of America where he has served on the faculty since 2013. As a home studio recording musician he can be heard on the podcasts. The Musical and the Award Winning Bite Sized Broadway, and as well as through the American Composer’s Alliance. This past fall he also joined the staff at Notre Dame of DePere, where he teaches Instrumental and General Music.

This event is free and open to the public!

Georgia Stitt talks

Composer/lyricist, musical director and activist

Both events are open to all campus community members.

Guest Lectures Graphic

Maestra Talk given by Georgia Stitt

Tuesday, April 9 | 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Shattuck 163

For the women and non-binary people who make the music in the musical theater industry

GEORGIA STITT is a composer/lyricist, music director, pianist, and music producer. Her original musicals include Snow Child (commissioned by Arena Stage and directed by Molly Smith); Samantha Spade, Ace Detective (commissioned by TADA Youth Theater and written with Lisa Diana Shapiro, National Youth Theatre 2014 Winner “Outstanding New Musical”); Big Red Sun (NAMT Festival winner in 2010, Harold Arlen Award in 2005, written with playwright John Jiler); The Danger Year (a musical revue); The Water (winner of the 2008 ANMT Search for New Voices in American Musical Theatre and written with Jeff Hylton and Tim Werenko); and Mosaic (commissioned for Inner Voices Off-Broadway in 2010 and written with Cheri Steinkellner). She is currently writing The Big Boom (with Hunter Foster) and an oratorio called The Circling Universe that has been developed at Princeton University.

Reflections on Race and Class

Tuesday, April 9 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Harper Hall

A discussion on growing up in the segregated south in the 1990s with Georgia Stitt and Dr. Kenny Yarbrough.

LUaroo volunteers needed!

As we get closer to the end-of-year LUaroo celebration, we are looking for staff or faculty members who are interested in volunteering their time supporting the festival and being present day of to assist student leaders. 

LUaroo is an annual student run music festival that takes place over Memorial Day Weekend. There are typically two days of music, with a mix of on campus and off campus performers. The festival is held annually on Memorial Day weekend on Main Hall Green and is one of the events that students most look forward to every year! 

If you are able to volunteer a few hours of your weekend on May 25-26, please sign up on this form! Primarily, we just need assistance keeping an eye out and making sure everyone is safe, but at times we will need staff to operate golf carts to assist the student organizers. We are hoping to have at least one staff/faculty volunteer at the festival to assist with the event and Campus Safety will be present the entire event on both days. Our students have worked hard to put on a successful festival and your support is greatly appreciated! 

Thank you so much for your assistance! 

Anders Hanhan ’24
Student Engagement Fellow
Office of Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership
hanhana@lawrence.edu | (920) 832-7289

NAfME Symposium

April 12-13
Shattuck 163

Lawrence University’s National Association of Music Education presents its 7th annual symposium!

Register Today!

It Takes You!

Composition, Improvisation, and Hip-Hop in the Music Classroom

Featuring keynote speaker Kiran Vedula, hip-hop educator and musician

Also featuring Loren Dempster, Eli Grover, Patty Darling, and Tim Albright

Itinerary

Friday, April 12

  • 7-9 p.m. | Open Mic Night | Shattuck 046 – Jazz Room
    In collaboration with JGEI (Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative), join us for NAfME Open Mic Night! Share any of your original compositions, improvisations, songs, poems, or other creative works! The stage is yours!

Saturday, April 13

  • 8:30-9 a.m. | Arrival & refreshments | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Enjoy some coffee and an assortment of breakfast pastries before we begin our day of learning!
  • 9-9:20 a.m. | Loren Dempster – Songwriting Activity/Warm-up | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Loren Dempster, Instructor of Music at Lawrence University, leads us in a short songwriting activity that you could incorporate into your own classroom.
  • 9:30-11 a.m. | Kiran Vedula – Hip-Hop Session | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Musician, producer, and educator Kiran Vedula shares about the power of hip-hop in facilitating culturally-responsive educational experiences. Kiran is the founder of  “Flutes at Dawn.” Their mission, excerpted from their website is as follows:
    • “Provide high-quality education and mentorship through vulnerable communication, cultural relevance, and shared positive experiences. Create inspiring spaces where people learn about themselves and connect with others in the process of expressing and making art/media. Respect, study, and elevate cultures, people, and art forms that are historically undervalued/misunderstood by presenting music and dance performances, workshops, and other educational material at professional theaters, performing arts centers, schools, universities, and beyond.”
  • 11:30 a.m. | Lunch – Catering from Tipsy Taco | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Join us for a free lunch catered by Tipsy Taco! There are several cafes within walking distance; feel free to get lunch on your own as well.
  • 1-1:30 p.m. | Eli Grover – Bucket Drumming | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    AASD educator Eli Grover shares a bucket drumming activity that you can bring to your classroom.
  • 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Patty Darling & Tim Albright – Emerging Improvisers | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Patty Darling and Tim Albright, both Lawrence University Jazz Department Faculty, share ideas and activities for encouraging emerging improvisers in your music classroom.
  • 2:30-3 p.m. | Loren Dempster – Songwriting Activity/Sharing Lyrics & Songs | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Loren Dempster joins us for a second songwriting activity.
  • 3-4 p.m. | Eli Grover – Body Percussion | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Eli Grover shares ways we can get students powerfully creating with body percussion — no external instruments needed!
  • 4-5 p.m. | JGEI – Beginning Jazz Jam Session | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    NAfME partners with JGEI (Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative) for a beginning jazz jam session — no previous experience required!

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

We would like to bring to your attention the significance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and the importance of recognizing and actively participating in initiatives aimed at addressing this critical issue. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed annually in April, is a dedicated period to raise public awareness about sexual violence and its profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. It serves as a platform to educate, engage, and mobilize individuals and organizations to take proactive steps toward prevention, support survivors, and advocate for policies that promote justice and healing. 

This year SHARE has worked to create a variety of programs designed to reach different groups within our community. You are always encouraged to participate, but please know that some programs may be more comfortable than others, we encourage you to reflect on what you need or want to participate in.  

If this month or programming brings up concerns, please see our resources below, and/or seek out help on campus. Reports may be made to the Director of Equity and Title IX Coordinator Sara Holtzman online, in person at Memorial Hall, room 100, via email (holtzmas@lawrence.edu) or by phone (920-832-7496). Additional resources are found on the Equity and Title IX page, as well as a non-confidential online reporting tool.

Confidential Sources (not mandatory reporters)

SAAM Events

On Campus

  • April 11 | Career Chat | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | D&IC
    • A conversation on careers in sexual violence advocacy, compliance, and more
  • April 17 | STI Testing | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Wellness Services
  • April 19 | Everyday Consent is Kindness | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Warch Info Desk Tabling
  • April 23 | Healthy Relationship Bingo | 8 p.m. | Warch 325 – Pusey Room
  • April 24 | Denim Day
    • Wear denim in solidarity.
  • April 24 | Community Art Project | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Warch Mead Witter
    • Decorate a piece of denim to contribute to the community art project or to take home as a token of the week.

Off Campus

  • All April | SAAM Coffee of the Month at Lawlss Coffee
    • All proceeds (minus supplies) go to REACH Advocacy and Counseling Services
  • April 13 | Trauma-Informed Yoga | 10 a.m. | Grace Under Fire Yoga
  • April 28 | Mark the Change – Get a Tat, Give Back | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Easy Street Tattoo
    • Easy Street Tattoo is partnering with Reach and Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services to provide a flash tattoo event involving 5 tattoo artists. Prices will range from $80-200 (cash only). All proceeds will go to Reach and Christine Ann.

Virtual

  • Instagram Education| Follow and share content generated by @SHARE_Lawrence

The primary objectives of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) include: 

  • Raising Awareness: SAAM endeavors to increase awareness about the prevalence and devastating consequences of sexual assault. By fostering open discussions and providing accurate information, we aim to challenge misconceptions, dispel myths, and create a culture of understanding and empathy. 
  • Empowering Survivors: It is imperative to create a supportive environment where survivors feel safe and empowered to speak out about their experiences. SAAM provides an opportunity to amplify the voices of survivors, validate their experiences, and connect them with resources and support services. 
  • Prevention and Education: Prevention lies at the heart of addressing sexual violence. SAAM campaigns focus on educating individuals about consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. By promoting positive behaviors and attitudes, we strive to prevent instances of sexual assault and foster a culture of respect and accountability. 
  •  Advocacy and Policy Reform: SAAM serves as a catalyst for advocacy efforts aimed at driving policy reforms and institutional changes. By advocating for survivor-centered policies, improved support services, and comprehensive legal frameworks, we work towards ensuring justice and accountability for survivors while holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. 

Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month is not merely about acknowledging the existence of sexual violence but also about taking concrete actions to effect positive change. By engaging in awareness-raising activities, supporting survivors, and advocating for systemic reforms, we contribute to creating safer, more inclusive communities where everyone can live free from the threat of sexual violence. 

I encourage you to join us in observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month by participating in events, initiating discussions, and supporting organizations dedicated to ending sexual violence. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of survivors and work towards building a society where consent, respect, and dignity are upheld for all. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions or need more information, please reach out. If you would like to request accommodation, different formatting, or to help as a volunteer in the month please email SHARE@lawrence.edu

Employee Belonging Focus Groups

Belonging for Lawrence University: denotes a feeling of connectedness and value,  where individuals are respected and celebrated to help enrich the campus community and all its constituents. 

In an effort to learn what our campus community needs from an employee standpoint, we need to hear from you!  The I.D.E.A.S. Division, in conjunction with the Office of Human Resources, will be hosting a series of focus groups to hear from our campus community.  If you are interested in sharing your experiences as an employee at Lawrence,  please register your interest in attending a focus group session. We look forward to hearing from our campus community.