1. California couple gives $2 million to Law School

A California attorney and his wife will donate $2 million to Marquette University Law School for the construction of its new building, Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., announced today.

Wylie Aitken is a 1965 graduate of the Law School and founding partner of Aitken*Aitken*Cohn law firm in Santa Ana, Calif. Wild said Aitken and his wife, Bette, are longtime benefactors of the Law School, having earlier created the Wylie and Bette Aitken Law School Scholarship Fund.

“We are so grateful that our alumni throughout the United States continue to support Marquette University Law School,” Wild said. “The generosity of the Aitkens reflects their belief that a Marquette legal education had a positive, long-term impact on their lives. And their gift will have a long-lasting impact on the lives of thousands of law students in the future.”

Joseph D. Kearney, dean of the Law School, said the two-story reading room in Eckstein Hall will be named in honor of the Aitkens. Kearney said the Aitken gift is the latest in a number of large donations for the new building, named Eckstein Hall in honor of a $51 million donation from Raymond A. and Katherine A. Eckstein, an alumni couple from Cassville, Wis., in May 2007.

“Our benefactors have included law firms and foundations with strong Milwaukee roots and interests, recent law graduates and retired alumni, attorneys both here in Milwaukee and Wisconsin and those who, like Wylie Aitken and Ray Eckstein, used their education in different parts of the country,” Kearney said.

Kearney said there is less than $14 million left to be raised toward the $85 million cost of the building, which is double the size of the Law School’s existing space.

Back to Top

2. Little Rock Nine book discussion planned; simulcast tickets available

Marquette will confer the Père Marquette Discovery Award, the university’s highest honor, on the Little Rock Nine in a special ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 4 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre.

Although tickets for the Varsity Theatre are no longer available, tickets for a simulcast in the Weasler Auditorium can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. weekdays and 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the AMU Brooks Lounge. One ticket per Marquette ID is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those joining the simulcast are also invited to attend the general reception immediately following the Père Marquette Discovery Award Ceremony in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom.  

Seven of the nine members of the Little Rock Nine are expected to attend the awards ceremony — Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas and Minnijean Brown Trickey. Health concerns prevent Melba Pattillo Beals and Thelma Mothershed Wair from attending, said LaNier, president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation.

Following presentation of the Discovery Award Medal, Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy, will interview the Little Rock Nine. Marquette community members can submit questions that may be used at the question and answer portion of the awards conferral.   

Books by two of the Little Rock Nine will be discussed Monday, Feb. 8, from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom. Carlotta Walls LaNier, author of A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School, and Terrence Roberts, author of Lessons from Little Rock, will participate in their respective book discussions. Participants are strongly encouraged to read one of the books, which are available for purchase at the BookMarq. RSVP to University Special Events at 8-7431 by Monday, Feb. 1. Walls LaNier and Roberts will also participate in a book signing at 5:15 p.m. in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom. Both books will be available for purchase.

As courageous teenagers, the Little Rock Nine dared to challenge racial segregation in public schools by enrolling at the all-white Central High School in 1957. They became an integral part of the fight for equal opportunity in American education.

As background for the Little Rock Nine visit, the libraries have posted a resource guide online.

Back to Top

3. Dead Sea Scrolls is the topic of library colloquium

Dr. Deirdre Dempsey, associate professor of theology, will present “What’s so important about the Dead Sea Scrolls?” for Raynor Library’s Spring Colloquium, Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m. in the Raynor Beaumier Suites. The presentation will explore why the scrolls, currently on display at the Milwaukee Public Museum, are considered the archeological event of the 20th century.

The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required for public access. For more information contact Bruce Cole, assistant cataloger/Cuje Music Collection librarian, at 8-2148.

Back to Top

4. "Global Climate Change" to be discussed

“Global Climate Change” will be discussed Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 4 p.m. in AMU 163.

The program will be presented by Chalie Nevárez Díaz, engineering graduate student and Wisconsin delegate for Expedition Copenhagen; and Dr. Zbigniew Sorbjan, research professor of physics specializing in boundary layer meteorology, diffusion and turbulence. 

The program is sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Minor in Environmental Ethics and Students for an Environmentally Active Campus.

Back to Top

5. First mother/daughter judges in Wisconsin to speak at Law School

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Ellen Brostrom will be guests for “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” at the Law School Thursday, Feb. 4, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Sensenbrenner 325.

Roggensack and Brostrom are the first mother and daughter to serve as judges in Wisconsin. They’ll discuss their respective careers, the changes they’ve seen in their profession and the lessons that have been passed on from mother to daughter.

Register online.

Back to Top

6. Save money when filing your federal income tax return

Students can take advantage of thousands of dollars in federal tax credits when filing income tax returns because of their enrollment status. Internal Revenue Service Publication 970 outlines all tax benefits for education when filing returns for 2009, including:
 
•  The American Opportunity credit: This new tax credit has a maximum of $2,500 per student (100 percent of the first $2,000 and 25 percent of the next $2,000 of qualified education expenses), is available for the first four years of postsecondary education. The National Association of College Stores and the Internal Revenue Service have also created a new Web site to help students recoup expenses on textbooks and other course materials due the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

•  Revised Hope and Lifetime Learning credits: The Hope Credit for students in Milwaukee County remains at 100 percent of the first $2,400 of qualified education expenses and 50 percent of the next $2,400 of such expenses for a maximum credit of $3,600. Those electing to file for the Hope Credit cannot also file for the American Opportunity credit. A third option for students in Milwaukee County is the Lifetime Learning credit, which is 40 percent of qualified expenses paid with a maximum credit of $4,000 allowed.

•  The definition of qualified education expenses for the education credits and tuition and fees deduction remains expanded for students in the county.

•  The amount that can be deducted for miles driven has changed for students who drive their car to and from Marquette for work-related education and qualify to deduct transportation expenses.

Back to Top

7. AMUW scholarship deadline is Monday

Several alumni groups have scholarship awards for which they are seeking applications. Students who qualify for any of these awards are encouraged to apply. In some cases, a nomination from a Marquette faculty or staff member must accompany your application. Students receiving tuition remission or full-tuition scholarships are not eligible for these awards.

The Association of Marquette University Women Scholarship — $2,500 for junior (60-99 credits) women beginning their senior year in the fall of 2009 who are enrolled full-time with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and demonstrate financial need. Application deadline is Feb. 1.

Ralph H. Metcalfe, Sr., Scholarship — Three awards, sponsored by the Ethnic Alumni Association, of up to $1,600 each for Marquette students of color who are enrolled full-time with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. At least one award will go to an Educational Opportunity Program student and one to a non-EOP student. Application deadline is Feb. 12.

AMUW Ignatian Leadership Award — $1,000 award for a senior woman enrolled full-time who excels academically and demonstrates leadership and service to the Marquette and Milwaukee (or her hometown) communities and strives to live out the Ignatian ideals. Faculty/staff nomination is required along with student application. Application deadline is Feb. 19.

Pedro Arrupe Award — $2,500 for a junior in good standing and enrolled full-time who emulates the values and ideals of Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1961 to 1984, and is involved in service in and beyond the Marquette community. Faculty/staff nomination is required along with student application and essay. Application deadline is March 26.

Back to Top

8. Applications for $350 book scholarship due Feb. 12

National Pan-Hellenic Council is hosting a book scholarship competition to benefit one freshman, sophomore, junior and senior who demonstrate good character and a passion for service. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist the four students in paying for the cost of books in the current or upcoming semester. Each will receive a $350 scholarship and will be honored at the 2010 Brew City Stomp Down, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m.

Applications are due Friday, Feb. 12.

Back to Top

9. Week of prayer, pulpit exchange and Taizé prayer next week

Campus Ministry will hold a week of prayer, a pulpit exchange and a Taizé prayer service next week.

A Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run Sunday, Jan. 31, through Saturday, Feb. 6. This annual worldwide celebration, held since 1908, will feature a variety of programs aimed at fostering Christian unity, while providing opportunities for dialogue and learning about the existing similarities and differences between Christian traditions. The celebration is co-sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Fellowship of Marquette, the Lutheran Student Union and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. 

Rev. Jessica Short, pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran campus pastor, will reflect on the Sunday Scriptures at the 4 p.m. Mass at Church of the Gesu on Sunday, Jan. 31. As part of this pulpit exchange, Rev. G. Simon Harak, S.J., director of the Center for Peacemaking, will offer a reflection during the Lutheran Campus Ministry Sunday worship service at 6 p.m. in the AMU Chapel of the Holy Family.
 
Taizé prayer will be offered in the Chapel of the Holy Family at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1. Taizé Prayer is a form of ecumenical Christian prayer founded by a community of Christian brothers in Taizé, France. The prayer includes meditative songs, the reading of Scripture, silent reflection and prayers of intercession.

Back to Top

10. Registrations open for group fitness classes

The Rec Plex is taking registrations for group fitness classes, including the noontime Hot Lunch offering. Classes begin Monday, Feb. 1.

Additional information is available online and at the Rec Plex, Straz Tower first floor.

Back to Top

11. Eastern Orthodox Vespers service to be held

Campus Ministry will hold an Eastern Orthodox Vespers service Monday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. in the Saint Joan of Arc Chapel. Vespers is an evening prayer service that is spiritually beautiful and peaceful, filled with God’s love in Christ through the Holy Spirit, according to Campus Ministry.

For more information, contact Rev. John Jones, professor of philosophy, at 8-5928.

Back to Top

12. Blood donors needed

The Student Nursing Association will host a blood drive Thursday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in AMU 157. All donors will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win prizes. Go online to schedule an appointment. Drive ID is DRV0101001.

The Graduate School of Management will also host a blood drive Thursday, Feb. 18, from noon to 5 p.m. in the Marquette Graduate School of Management, Straz Hall first floor atrium. Go online to schedule an appointment. Drive ID is DRV0099642.

Back to Top

13. Free drawing classes offered at Haggerty Museum

The Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum of Art will host free drawing classes for three consecutive Fridays, Feb. 5, 12 and 19, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The classes are open to all Marquette students regardless of experience.  

Paper and pencils will be provided.

RSVP to Curator of Education Lynne Shumow at 8-5915 by the day before each class.

Back to Top