MyLU Insider

MyLU Insider

Internal Communications

Institutional Research (IR) SharePoint Updates

Visit our IR SharePoint site and “bee” sure to follow us.

Data available now:

  • The College Rankings page is updated for most recent rankings, including an updated version of the Rankings Comparison infographic.
  • Data for the 2024 NSSE administration are also available in the NSSE section on the Surveys page.
  • We have started to update the Compliance and Reporting page for the current academic year and will continue to do so as IPEDS collections are finalized.

Data available on Friday, October 18, 2024:

  • The colleague version of the 2024 Fact Book, as well as an updated version of the Getting to Know the Fact Book narrated PowerPoint and an updated data sharing acknowledgement, are ready to view on the Fact Book page of the IR SharePoint site.
  • There are updated versions of the retention and graduation dashboards on the Data Visualizations page.

Facilities Project Updates

Scheduled repairs and projects:

  • Mudd Library: We Energies to connect gas lines by October 18, work will be ongoing
  • 1025 E South Water St: replacing lower roof begins early week of October 21
  • Briggs Hall: roof repair October 22
  • Sampson House: front porch will be replaced starting November 4
  • 310 E Water St: roof replacement starting November 4

TBD repairs and projects

  • Mursell House: roof replacement mid-November
  • Music Drama: exterior retaining wall completion TBD
  • Chapel Façade: renovation to begin summer 2025 TBD
  • Harper Hall: upgrades over winter break TBD

Watch for updates weekly; TBD dates will be filled in as learned. Please be safe when in these areas!

Povolny Lecture Series: Taiwan and the Meanings of China

Thursday, October 31 | 7:30 p.m.
Steitz 102

Chong Ja Ian is associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore and a non-resident scholar with Carnegie China. His research covers Chinese foreign policy and security in Southeast and Northeast Asia.

This lecture is free and open to the public! A reception with light bites will precede the talk at 7 p.m. in the Steitz Atrium.


Taiwan’s status is an issue of significant contention for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Beijing claims Taiwan as its own and reserves the right to use force to exert control, despite never having ruled the island since its establishment in 1949. Recent years have seen the PRC increase coercive measures to prevent what Beijing fears is Taiwan’s growing separation.

In that context, relations across the Taiwan Strait have also become a point of concern and friction between the United States and the PRC. Yet, the idea of a sovereign Chinese state with unified, centralized political authority and clear borders that incorporate Taiwan is a relatively new one historically. Conceptions of China have a standardized, singular language and culture normalized around ethnicity and race, which likewise trace their origins from the late nineteenth century. This talk examines changing political conceptions of China, Chinese identity, frontiers, and China’s external ties through China’s multifaceted and evolving relationship with Taiwan since the sixteenth century.

Volunteer Opportunities for Spirit Week/Blue & White Weekend

As we prepare for a series of exciting campus traditions, we are reaching out to request your support to help make Spirit Week, Blue & White Weekend, and our campus-wide Trick-or-Treating on Halloween a success! These events are key to fostering school spirit and creating memorable experiences for our students.

We are in need of volunteers for various activities during Spirit Week and Blue & White Weekend. Additionally, on Halloween, we invite faculty and staff to participate in campus-wide trick-or-treating by giving out candy to students throughout the day. Your involvement will play a significant role in boosting school pride and enthusiasm.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  1. Spirit Week & Blue & White Weekend
  2. Campus-Wide Trick-or-Treating on Halloween

Spirit Week Theme Days

We’d also love for you to join in the fun and participate in our theme days! Show your school pride and engage with students by embracing these themes:

  • October 28: Class Color Day
    If you’re an LU alum, wear your class color to show unity and pride! If not, feel free to wear a color that signifies your alma matter!
  • October 29: Dress Like a Viking Day
    Embrace your inner Viking and dress in your best Viking-inspired attire to celebrate our school’s mascot.
  • October 30: Twin Day
    Team up with a colleague or student and dress alike to show off your matching outfits!
  • October 31: Halloween
    Show off your Halloween spirit by dressing up in a costume—whether spooky, funny, or creative.
  • November 1: Spirit Day
    End the week with a blast of school spirit by wearing our school colors, blue and white, or any school-branded gear.

The Fight for Black Lives Documentary Screening & Discussion

Monday, October 21 | Doors open 10:50 a.m., Film & Discussion 11:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Warch Cinema

The Fight for Black Lives is a documentary film by University of Chicago Professor Micere Keels. It weaves together stories of women who were pregnant during the pandemic and Black Lives Matter uprisings, interviews with Black health experts, and historical records to show the many ways that Black women have had to fight for their life and the lives of their infants in the delivery room.

The LU community is invited to this free screening and discussion, moderated by Dr. Kristina Pagel-Martinez.

Road closures

Please be advised that a section of College Avenue between Durkee Street and Drew Street will be closed to traffic from October 21-November 1 to accommodate construction crews working on the West Campus building project. Sidewalks on the north side of College Avenue and the south side up to the project site will remain open.

During this phase of the project, Boldt will install 46 modular units, each approximately 72 feet long by 13 feet wide, to form the top two floors of the West Campus building. These units will be connected and stacked to create fully constructed apartments, which will be available for rent in the fall of 2025. Using modular units helps expedite the overall project timeline.

The modular units will be transported along College Avenue and staged between Durkee and Drew streets before being lifted into place by crane. The temporary street closures are necessary for the safety of workers, local businesses and their customers, and area residents, including the Lawrence community.

Women in Business Panel

Wednesday, October 16 | 7-8 p.m.
Fox Commons Business & Entrepreneur Center – 2nd floor

Join us to find inspiration in the stories of three Lawrentians whose lives in the business world enabled them to make a meaningful social impact.

  • Beth Larsen ‘13 spent several years in Rwanda organizing programs for underserved populations. She is currently with gener8tor in Kenosha, WI, helping overlooked people form microbusinesses.
  • Yoriko Morita ‘94 was a physics and cello performance double degree student who has worked with start-up companies and started companies and now specializes in intellectual property strategy for highly technical products.
  • Susan Long Hall ‘76 started her career as a financial analyst and retired after selling a company she co-founded that helps 3,000 US school districts improve their K-5 reading outcomes.

They will share some skills that can help position you to follow your passion and make a meaningful difference in the world.

NFL Draft & networking

Tuesday, October 22 | 1:30-2 p.m.
Warch Cinema

Lawrence University’s inaugural sports management class and Professor Bussone welcome you to network and hear about the upcoming NFL Draft (spring 2025) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The event features speaker Gabrielle Dow, VP of Marketing & Fan Engagement at the Green Bay Packers.

All faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend. This will be taking place during Professor Bussone’s sports management class.